Today I want to talk about Gallstones – Eating Surprises. According to WebMD, the Gall Bladder has one job: “collecting and storing bile — the fluid that helps the body digest fats”.
How do you know if you have gallstones? The symptoms are bloating, vomiting and feeling pain in your stomach area.
Diets high in fat and cholesterol? Being seriously overweight? These are things that cause the gallbladder to make stones. What kind of diet should people that make stones be looking at? I think it’s just common sense and healthy eating.
“Whether or not you are at risk for gallstones, it’s always a good idea to keep your body at a healthy weight and eat a diet that is low in fat and cholesterol, moderate in calories, and high in fiber.
All of the following are healthy foods for your gallbladder, as well as the rest of your body:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains (whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oats, bran cereal)
- Lean meat, poultry, and fish
- Low-fat dairy products”
Whoot?!?! Our bodies don’t process dairy. If you are having problems with your body functioning properly, why pray tell me would you put anything in your body that puts another stumbling block in the way of healing? And what about whole wheat not being particularly good for you? Or how about animal products not doing the job? Inquiring minds want to know! lol
It’s a serious problem but I think the key to it is figuring out what is right for your body (because every ‘body’ is different). Getting back to what WebMD has to say: “Certain foods have been studied for their potential to prevent gallbladder problems or reduce symptoms. For example, some research has indicated that drinking caffeinated coffee lowers the risk of gallstones in both men and women. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol has also been linked to a reduced incidence of gallstones. In one study, women who ate at least one serving of peanuts a day had a 20% lower chance of having their gallbladder removed compared to women who rarely ate peanuts or peanut butter”. But like with all of the testing that’s being done, it’s just one study. It’s not complete. So I would say: “Do your own research”. This is just a jumping point of what you may want to look at and consider, not a final evaluation of any kind, or a final recommendation of any kind.
From where I am sitting, drinking coffee and drinking alcohol doesn’t seem to be cures for anything, except maybe a bad break up. lol
Now for those of you going under the knife for gallstones, apparently the story about alcohol shifts and they stress drinking more water, which is something should should all be doing either way.
According to our friends ‘down under and their food watch website:
- Steer clear of fatty, oily or fried foods which are most likely to cause pain or feelings of sickness. These high-fat foods ‘activate’ the gall bladder to release bile (needed to digest the fat) and so make your symptoms worse.
- Avoid concentrated fats like oil, butter, margarine, fat on meat or avocado, but you don’t have to eat completely fat-free. Often it’s a case of trial and error while you work out how low in fat you need to go.
- A low fat diet includes a wide range of foods such as vegetables, potato and legumes such as lentils and kidney beans, all varieties of bread, pasta and rice with oil free sauces, grilled or steamed fish or skinless chicken, grilled lean meat and low fat milk or soy drinks.
- Drink plenty of water (eight to ten glasses a day).
- Avoid alcohol until after you have had your operation.
So, the carbs and the sat fats are still killing us. But not the complex carbs….. not the vegetables. And yet the Aussie’s say pasta is just fine. Our bodies don’t process milk, yet they are saying that’s ok too just like our fine American Doctors. Are we paying attention to all the information out there? I know I am.
In my world if I had gallstones? I would immediately cut out everything but fruits and vegetables to give my body a chance to heal itself. Make a big stock pot of a veggie soup.
Time to google the vegan world and see how you can get through two weeks, let’s say…. to see if it makes a difference. If you choose to do that, and it works, please give me a shout out!
And do please remember not to use what I say in place of your own good common sense or what the doctor is telling you.
I do some research to present you with concepts of what’s out there on the web, and then you first have to begin the process of self-investigation and healing. You do know that in today’s world we have to be more of a doctor ourselves and look into all the latest studies and articles that tell us how to heal. Yes?
YES CHEF!
I leave you with a last comment…….. One thing I do know for sure: Food is your best medicine. So just consider it!
Happy Healthy Eating,
