The gallbladder has the function of collecting bile, which is important for the process of fat absorption and for the removal of waste materials from the body. The most common causes of inflammation of the bile and the formation of gallstones are hereditary factors, infection of the bile, and diet. Infections lead to difficult swelling of the bile, causing severe pain, vomiting and nausea. Accompanying symptoms are belching, flatulence, and even jaundice. The first step towards preventing such complications is to change the way you eat.
Adequate nutrition can largely protect us from gallstones, because the composition of bile mostly depends on the intake of fat, calories, cholesterol and refined food. It should be known that there is no special medicine for the prevention and treatment of gallstones, as well as for the dissolution of stones. Standard drugs can only relieve bile pain and prevent inflammation and other complications that may occur. What is crucial is to change the way you eat. Below you can find out what the bile diet is, when and how it is carried out, and what the menu of this diet should look like.
Menu and nutrition
The bile diet is intended for all people who have problems with the gallbladder, whether it is inflammation or the appearance of sand or stones. Bile diet should be implemented after gallbladder surgery, but also before this surgery, in case of inflammation and other complications. Before and after gallbladder surgery, patients should avoid very spicy and fatty foods, fatty cheeses, sweets, fried eggs and other refined foods. Food that is cooked and easy to digest is recommended. What is of key importance is that you prepare meals using vegetable margarine or oil, but still try to prepare as many meals as possible using only water.
It is crucial to reduce the number of calories you consume during the day. Research has shown that people who consume more calories and obese people are more likely to suffer from gallbladder disease. It is necessary to reduce the amount of animal fats that we enter into the body, because they are one of the main factors that cause gallstones. Instead of bacon, sausages and fatty pork, opt for as many vegetables, fruits and whole grain products as possible. The body needs plant fibers that come from these foods, in order to prevent the appearance of gallstones.
Regarding the meal schedule during the bile diet, it is important to take several small meals during the day and eat slowly. Gluttony and sudden intake of large amounts of food can lead to disorders in the digestive system. Keep in mind that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should not be skipped.
It is also important not to eat too hot or too cold food. Avoid hot coffee and tea and try to always keep your drinks moderately warm. In addition to proper nutrition, it is necessary to drink at least six glasses of water during the day, so that there is no excessive concentration of bile. Freshly squeezed fruit juices are recommended, as well as bitter drinks, as they are good for regulating digestion. The diet should consist primarily of carbohydrates and milk proteins, but proteins of animal origin can also be consumed in smaller quantities.
Allowed food
During the bile diet, you can eat beef, lamb, veal and chicken meat, and the most recommended is boiled or grilled meat or meat with a little oil. Avoid pork and mutton. Fish is also allowed, i.e. all types of fish except catfish. Vegetables include boiled or baked potatoes in their skins, spinach, carrots, pumpkin, celery, zucchini and asparagus, but do not use cooking spray. You can possibly use a light spray of oil or butter when making vegetable stew. Mashed potatoes cooked in water and spinach with a little oil can be very useful. Rice, semolina, macaroni, even white bread are also allowed, but you should not overdo it.
Fruit and fruit juices are also recommended during the bile diet, but it is very important to remove the seeds from the fruit and eat it without the skin. You should also eat as many salads as possible, such as dandelion and radicchio salad. The consumption of bitter medicinal herbs such as rosemary or saffron and bitter foods such as artichoke or chicory is especially recommended, as these foods contribute to the health of the gallbladder. As for dairy products, you can consume cow’s milk with 0.5% fat, young cow’s cheese, young cream, sour milk, low-fat yogurt, and you can only take butter and milleram in small quantities, because they contain a high percentage of fat. When it comes to eggs, it is permissible to eat the egg white.
During the bile diet, sutlijash, koh, pudding, jam, biscuits, semolina with milk and sweets made from different fruits are allowed. You can also drink coffee, and decaf, white coffee or weaker black coffee and herbal teas are recommended. It is also recommended that you take one teaspoon of cold-pressed olive oil and one teaspoon of lemon juice every day, in order to stimulate the flow of bile. It would be best to drink a glass of warm lemonade every morning before breakfast.
Forbidden food
Fried and fatty foods, pork and meat products such as salami, bacon and crackers, as well as fatty cheeses, overly spicy foods and chocolate are strictly prohibited during the bile diet. Namely, these foods lead to gall bladder spasms and bile attacks.
Also, you must not eat sauerkraut, beans, onions, peas, radishes and cucumbers, because these foods can also lead to bilious attacks. Potatoes fried in oil and fat should also be avoided, as should onions. Avoid canned and spicy salads, as well as fresh cucumber. It is recommended to avoid pickled vegetables, mayonnaise and sauces. All fatty pastries are strictly prohibited because they contain large amounts of fat. From dairy products, avoid full-fat goat and sheep cheeses, full-fat milk, sour cream and heavy cream. Egg yolks are strictly prohibited. During the bile diet, do not consume alcohol, as well as strong coffee and tea.
If you follow the bile diet, you can live without any problems for many years. However, if there are some stronger attacks and complications, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Along with adequate nutrition, do not forget physical activity, because it is also necessary to prevent the formation of gallstones.
