Diet Plan for Gallstones/ Cholelithiasis

Your gallbladder is a 4-inch, pear-shaped organ. It’s positioned under your liver in the upper-right section of your abdomen. It stores bile produced by the liver, and releases the bile into the small intestine to help digest food.

Issues with your gallbladder typically occur when something is blocking its bile duct — like a gallstone. Most commonly the stones are formed by too much cholesterol in your bile. Or in a few cases excess of bilirubin can also cause formation of stones. These tiny, hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder. can go undetected for years. In fact, many people have gallstones and aren’t aware of them. They eventually cause problems, including inflammation, infection, and pain. Gallstones themselves don’t cause pain. Rather, pain occurs when gallstones block the movement of bile from the gallbladder.

Gallstones can cause sudden, severe abdominal pain that usually lasts 1 to 5 hours (although it can sometimes last just a few minutes). The pain can be felt: in the center of your abdomen (tummy) just under the ribs on your right-hand side – it may spread from here to your side or shoulder blade.

Commonly the gallstones are removed with surgery but it is important to note the factors which makes you prone to form stones -

• Living with obesity
• A diet high in fat or cholesterol and low in fiber
• Undergoing rapid weight loss
• Living with type 2 diabetes
• Women after the age of 40 become more prone

Thus, managing the factors that may lead to cholelithiasis through right nutrition is very essential ,include in your diet

1. Vegetables and fruits
2. Healthy fats
3. Plant-based protein
4. Regular and frequent mealtimes

Avoid to eat -

1. Refined sugars, such as fructose
2. Foods high in added sugars, such as baked goods, desserts, and sweets
3. Fast food
4. Foods high in fat, especially saturated fat
5. Foods containing trans fats, such as deep-fried foods
6. Eating a diet that is overall low in fiber

Also after the surgery ,your doctor will likely recommend that you return to a regular, balanced diet as soon as possible but you may be advised to increase your fiber intake temporarily. This can reduce digestive side effects while your body adjusts after surgery. Thus, nutrition plays a vital role to avoid the factors leading to gallstones or life after surgery.

Feel free to connect with Team Nutrishilp for any emotional counselling, dietry and nutritional support to cope up with The Gallstones