Dietary precautions after cholecystectomy

After cholecystectomy, you must pay attention to certain dietary principles and taboos to avoid affecting your recovery after the operation. It is recommended to eat vegetable oils and try to eat less thick soups, thick chicken soups, or some animal offal and other foods.

1. Control the total amount of food you eat . Eat until you are 70% to 80% full at each meal (especially dinner) to keep your weight within the ideal range. Overweight and obese patients should lose weight.

2. It is recommended to use vegetable oil and avoid consuming animal oil. Try to eat less thick meat soup, thick chicken soup, thick fish soup and other foods.

3. Reduce the intake of high-fat nuts , such as peanuts, melon seeds, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, etc.

4. Strictly limit the intake of foods high in cholesterol, such as animal offal , egg yolks, squid, sardines, animal brains, fish eggs, and crab roe. Eat no more than 3 to 4 eggs per week.

5. Avoid overeating or excessive hunger , and try to eat small meals frequently.

6. Sufficient protein supplementation is beneficial to repair liver cell damage caused by cholecystitis and cholelithiasis. You can choose low-fat, high-quality protein mainly from fish, shrimp, poultry, tofu and low-oil soy products.

7. Vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, which can help improve patients' metabolic disorders and facilitate recovery. Vegetables and fruits are also rich in dietary fiber, which can reduce the formation of cholesterol and the absorption of fat and sugar, thereby lowering blood lipids and blood sugar.

8. Patients who have had their gallbladder removed must quit smoking and drinking, because smoking and drinking will increase the burden on the liver. Eat less spicy and other irritating foods, such as onions, garlic, ginger, chili peppers, pepper, curry, etc.

9. Cooking should be light. It is best to use methods such as stewing, steaming, and simmering. Avoid frying, grilling, smoking, and half-cooked cooking, and use as little seasoning as possible. This is suitable for the changes in bile duct function after surgery and reduces the burden on the digestive system.

10. One month after cholecystectomy, do not pursue a light diet. Necessary nutritional supplements will help to recover as soon as possible. You should eat some lean meat, aquatic products, fish, and beans every day. It would be better if you can drink a glass of milk. If you are not used to eating dairy products or fish, you can eat more soy products and mushrooms to make up for the lack of animal protein.