10 Foods to Avoid for Gallstones

People with gallstones should avoid certain foods, as they may make their condition worse.

Gallstones are solid particles in bile, mostly composed of cholesterol or bilirubin. In terms of diet, certain foods may increase the concentration of cholesterol or bilirubin in bile, thereby aggravating the formation and symptoms of gallstones.

High-fat foods are taboo for patients with gallstones. Fried foods such as fried chicken and French fries, cream products such as cheese and butter, fatty meat and sausages can cause excessive secretion of cholesterol in bile, aggravating the condition. Moreover, refined sugar foods such as cakes, desserts, and soda can easily lead to elevated cholesterol, increasing the risk of gallstones.

Patients with gallstones should try to avoid eating foods high in cholesterol, such as animal offal (liver and kidney), shrimp, crab roe, egg yolk, etc. Eating these foods may increase the cholesterol level in the body and promote the formation of gallstones. At the same time, reduce the intake of greasy and spicy foods, which not only affect digestion, but may also cause poor gallbladder contraction and aggravate gallstone symptoms.

High-salt foods should also be eaten less, including pickled products such as kimchi, bacon, salted fish, etc. Not only that, caffeinated drinks such as coffee, strong tea and carbonated drinks should also be reduced in moderation, because they may cause excessive contraction of the gallbladder and induce biliary colic.

In addition to avoiding the above foods, you should also choose more light and fiber-rich foods in your daily diet, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meat. These foods can help regulate intestinal function, reduce cholesterol intake and maintain the normal flow of bile.

Drinking enough water and exercising moderately can also help prevent gallstones. For patients who have been diagnosed with gallstones, following the doctor's advice, getting regular checkups, and avoiding the foods mentioned above that can aggravate the condition are important steps to maintain health. Hopefully, by adjusting your diet and lifestyle, you can better manage the discomfort caused by gallstones.