Diet after cholecystectomy

It is very likely that your doctor will give you a list of recommendations, however, we will give you more clues about what you should eat after gallbladder removal.

 Have you had a gallbladder cholesistectomy or do you need to have it removed soon? When this situation arises, it is common to have doubts about the diet to follow next. It is very likely that your doctor will give you a list of recommendations.

To help you through the process, we have prepared a list of recommendations when dieting. You will find that even though it is a somewhat restrictive diet, it is not impossible to follow it. We are sure that if you follow these recommendations, you will return to a completely normal and scare-free life. What are you waiting for? Take note and don't worry.

 Gallbladder and cholecystectomy

The first thing you need to know is that the gallbladder is a small organ that is not essential for your daily life. Its function is to store bile produced by the liver to digest the fats you eat. When the gallbladder cannot function properly (due to gallstones or polyps), the doctor may consider cholecystectomy, which is surgery common today. The gallbladder is not essential for healthy digestion. “However, there are some doctor’s guidelines regarding diet that should be taken into consideration.

Foods Allowed After Cholecystectomy

 To make your food choice easier, we'll start with a list of allowed foods.  This will allow you to have a diet that allows you to be satisfied while avoiding health problems.

•    Cooked vegetables

 Eating vegetables is important at all times.  When you don't have a gallbladder, you need to keep your bowel clean.  In this sense, cooked vegetables are easier to process and will help reduce the acidity caused by bile.

The risk with raw vegetables is that they are more complex for your stomach to digest.  Indeed, although they provide the same amount of fiber, it is better not to complicate the functioning of your intestines.  Here are the recommended foods:

 ■peppers

■ Green leafy vegetables

■ Broccoli

■ Cabbage

■ Carrots

 ■Cauliflower

• Foods high in soluble fiber

 Consuming soluble fiber reduces the negative impact of acids. This nutrient helps eliminate bile more efficiently and quickly. The best examples are:

■ Apple

■ Beans

■ Brussels sprouts

■ Carrots

■ Blueberries

■ Banana

■ Lenses

•  lean protein

 There is a belief that meats should be avoided when we no longer have a gallbladder. But this is half wrong. It is obviously necessary to avoid meats that contain fat, natural or fried.

 You can still eat lean protein once in a while. Here are the ones we recommend: turkey ham, lean slices of veal, chicken and turkey, fish and eggs.

In fact, the consumption of this type of food is recommended.  Protein intake helps maintain muscle mass and body composition 

• Healthy fats

Even though your body will experience a decrease in its ability to process fat after gallbladder removal, it is necessary. However, the fats you need are healthy and of good quality. An example is omega 3 fatty acids:

■ olives

■ Flax and chia seeds.

■ Fish (like sardines and salmon).

■ Almonds, walnuts and other dried fruits.

Foods to Avoid After Gallbladder Removal

 Now that you know what you can eat when you've had your gallbladder removed, it's time to get clear on what you should avoid at all costs. Although this seems excessive, remember that the goal is to avoid unnecessary inconvenience.

 ●Fried foods: These are the first foods you should eliminate from your daily life, especially if you don't have a gall. Fried foods contain fats that are difficult to digest, in addition to affecting your cardiovascular health.

 ●Foods that are too fatty: Although you should consume some fats, they should not be consumed in excess. These may be natural but will cause acid reflux issues. Some examples are bacon, very fatty cheeses, fatty cuts of beef and pork and chicken skin. 

● Vegetable oils: although certain vegetable oils provide omega 3 and 6, it is best to avoid them because cooking them makes them heavier for the stomach. It is therefore important to avoid foods that contain it, such as mayonnaise or sauces.

 ●Prepared foods: Ready-to-eat products found in supermarkets may seem like a simple solution to killing hunger. However, they also provide sugars, refined flours and unhealthy fats that will make you feel bad fast. These include cookies, bread, instant soups, fries, etc.

 There you go, now you know how to take care of your body after gallbladder removal!