5 Foods that cause gallstones to avoid

Cramps and pain in the upper right stomach, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite can be symptoms of gallstones. The formation of gallstones is closely related to food choices. So, what are the foods that can cause gallstones to form? Come on, look at the list of foods that you should limit to prevent gallstones from forming in the following review.

Food can be the cause of gallstones

Too much cholesterol in the gallbladder is one cause of gallstone formation. Well, this excessive cholesterol level can be obtained from the food consumed. That is why food can be called an indirect cause of gallstone formation.

Foods that cause gallstones generally contain refined carbohydrates and saturated fats. These types of food can aggravate the performance of the gallbladder.

The gallbladder needs to empty cholesterol with a salt compound. However, too much cholesterol overwhelms the gallbladder.

This leaves some cholesterol in it. Over time, the cholesterol that is left behind will crystallize to form rock. These stones are what you know as gallstones.

Apart from cholesterol, gallstones can also be formed by bilirubin. Bilirubin is a substance formed from the process of breaking down red blood cells which later functions to give color to feces and urine.

List of foods that cause gallstones to form

The gallbladder serves as a place to accommodate bile made by the liver. This fluid will later be used by the body to thin fat as well as help digestive enzymes.

However, the presence of gallstones will certainly cause blockage and inflammation, namely cholecystitis. In fact, it can increase the risk of gallbladder cancer.

You don't want this to happen, do you? Well, one way to prevent gallstones is to limit the consumption of foods that cause gallstones, including:

1. Fatty foods (foods that cause gallstones)

Eating fatty foods is a major factor in the formation of gallstones. However, not all fats should be avoided. Types of fats from foods that trigger gallstone formation that should be avoided are trans-saturated fats, saturated fats, animal fats, and hydrogenated oils.

All these types of fat can make the bile work too hard to digest fat, thus increasing cholesterol levels in the body.

Healthy bile is responsible for breaking down fat and cholesterol from the food you eat. However, if there is excess cholesterol and fat at one time, the risk of developing gallstones is even higher.

According to Regional Digestive Consultants, people who have gallstones should reduce their fat intake by 25-40 grams per day or 10-20 percent of their total daily calorie intake.

Instead, you can eat healthy fatty foods that contain omega-3s. These healthy fats help reduce cholesterol, thereby easing the work of the bile organs.

You can find omega-3 fatty acids in tuna, salmon, sardines, soybeans, spinach and cabbage.

2. Refined carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are in most of our daily diet. However, what often causes the formation of stones in the bile is foods that contain refined carbohydrates.

Refined carbohydrates include sugar and sweeteners, wheat flour, refined (impure) grains whole wheat or whole grains), and starch. You can find refined carbohydrates in cakes, biscuits, bread, cakes, chocolate, candy, and sweet drinks.

The intake of refined carbohydrates triggers the formation of gallstones by increasing insulin secretion. The increase in the hormone insulin has been shown to increase the concentration of cholesterol in bile.

3. Fatty red meat

Red meats like beef, pork, goat, and lamb generally contain more saturated fat than white meats like chicken.

As explained above, foods containing saturated fat can increase cholesterol in the blood. Meanwhile the liver also has to work harder to produce extra bile to digest meat completely.

That is why fatty red meat can be one of the foods that causes gallstones to form.

The American Heart of the Association states it's okay to eat red meat. As long as you limit the portion and frequency of eating, also choose healthier types of meat. Here's how to choose and cook recommended meat dishes:

Consume one serving of meat which is only equivalent to two to three ounces.
Choose lean cuts of meat, such as the gandik or beef head (tenderloin or round)
Make sure you clean the lard and fat on the meat thoroughly.
Cook the meat by grilling or boiling
Avoid processed meat foods such as bacon, ham, salami, sausages, hot dogs, beef jerky.

It is also recommended to eat healthy fatty meat foods such as salmon.

4. Fried foods

Foods like fried chicken, french fries, or even fried onions have a high fat content. This type of food is also a cause of an increased risk of gallstone disease.

The bile has to work harder to process fatty foods. Fat that cannot be processed properly by the bile will remain and turn hard in the gallbladder.

To avoid using too much cooking oil when cooking, try to follow these tips:

Measure your oil while cooking rather than simply pouring it out. The normal and healthy dose for oil consumption is 1 teaspoon per person.
Use canned (spray) oil instead of poured liquid oil.
Drain food on paper towels to filter out excess oil before consumption.

5. Ready-to-eat and packaged foods

Fast food can cause bile stones to form because it makes you fat fast. People who are overweight and obese are most at risk of developing gallstones.

Foods that cause gallstones to avoid generally include chips, packaged foods, cookies, and even biscuits. If you have had gall problems before and want to snack on them, consider eating small snacks of fresh fruit.

If you want to buy packaged food, read the nutritional information listed on the packaging label. Foods that are high in fat can contain 17.5 g or more of fat per 100 grams. Also avoid foods that are color-coded red on the fat label.

To be on the safe side, look for packaged foods that contain 3 grams of fat or less.