What should patients with gallstones not eat?

Patients with gallstones should avoid consuming high-fat, high-cholesterol and irritating foods, as these foods may increase the burden on the gallbladder, induce biliary colic or aggravate the condition.

High-fat foods such as fatty meat, fried foods, and cream can stimulate gallbladder contraction and accelerate bile secretion, which can worsen cholecystitis symptoms or cause severe abdominal pain. High-cholesterol foods such as animal offal, egg yolks, and crab roe can increase cholesterol crystal deposition and further worsen stone formation. Irritating foods such as spicy seasonings, alcohol, strong tea, and coffee can irritate the gallbladder and digestive tract, aggravating gallbladder discomfort or causing digestive disorders. In addition to avoiding the above foods, you should also be wary of excessive intake of sugars and refined carbohydrates, as they may indirectly affect cholesterol metabolism by affecting insulin levels.

Patients with gallstones need to eat a low-fat, high-fiber, light diet. For example, eat more green leafy vegetables, oats, brown rice and other foods rich in dietary fiber to promote cholesterol excretion; choose high-quality protein such as chicken breast, fish or soy products to avoid excessive contraction of the gallbladder. Pay attention to eating small meals frequently and avoid overeating to reduce the pressure of bile secretion. If the symptoms are severe or accompanied by severe pain, you should seek medical attention in time, clarify the condition through imaging examinations, and choose drug treatment, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or surgical treatment (such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy) as needed. Appropriate exercise, such as walking or yoga, should be combined in life to help promote digestive function and improve metabolism. Dietary adjustments need to be adhered to for a long time, and regular check-ups should be conducted to understand the changes in the stones to avoid delaying treatment.