Newbie with Gallstones needs Fat Free Cooking Advice

Callie22

I had gallstones really badly a few years ago (ended up in hospital 11 times over six months, with pancreatitis and lord knows what else!) and I really can sympathise. I found Rosemary Conley's recipes good, and really I just tried to cut as much fat out of my diet as possible - so no cream, cheese, ice cream, chocolate etc. Gallstones tend to help you lose weight! I was really suffering so I ended up at a point where I had a selection of 'safe' foods that I knew I could eat - fat free yogurt, cottage cheese, fruit and veg with no oil or butter, lean meat, white fish, that kind of thing. My diet was a bit limited for a while but I was happy with that if it meant no pain!

One thing I found was that even eating low-fat food could cause me pain if it was stodgy and I ate too much of it - a bowl of pasta or bread could give me a lot of pain. I'm assuming it's because your gall-bladder contracts after a big meal to squeeze out the bile you need for digestion, so I found that smaller meals were better for me than three big meals a day, and I tried to be careful about the amount of stodge that I ate.

Shysarah

Your all amazing!

I am lactose intolerant so already have to be aware on that front. I have so many new ideas now to use ingredients I never have before. Rather than todays, 2 crumpets for breakfast and cup a soup for lunch which has now left me very faint I will be able to be much more creative.

Callie that's good advice too about little and often rather than big meals, as i do tend to only eat 2 big meals a day which obviously doesnt help matters.

Now time to thank you all one by one...x

skystar

Hi Sarah, I can sympathise as I have been in and out of hospital with gallstones pain / issues since Dec 2009.

I follow a no more than 3% fat rule (so on food labels no more than 3g per 100g) and this as so far worked well for me. It can get a bit boring but I am used to it now (and 5 stone lighter so all good!!)

I have avoided cheese, eggs, cream, red meats, chocolate, fried foods, etc. I also found that raisins didn't agree with me?!? My surgeon also stressed very highly that alcohol was a no no.

I also find eating little and often doesn't aggravate the pain as much.

However, can't wait until this gall bladder is removed. Have already been in hospital to get it removed but failed so fingers crossed 2nd time lucky!

quintwins

i had gallstones and have had my gallbladder out, i'm still on a lowfat diet because i get pancreatsis now because of it, i find simple thinsg like lean meats (we eat alot of mince) and skinless chicken helps, for me sprices also made me bad and it's took me 4 years to be able to go near chilli or curry again, i feel your pain it's horrible

quintwins

oh no it definatly is, like i said mine caused pancreatsis which can be fatal, i'm alot better now than i was but i still need to watch my diet, i can even eat teh odd takeaway aslong as the rest of my day is quiet balanced

Lovingitifitsabargain

Hi there.. I remember that pain it is agony and a doctor told me that gallstone n kidney stones are worse pain than labour and I had to agree.. I was admitted into hospital on four occassions with these and had to go on a drip as was so infected which doubled the pain... the last time they kept me in and when the infection had gone they removed it.. they tried keyhole surgery but unfortunately it had got stuck to my liver (or something like that) anyway ended up a 6 hour operation and a very long recovery period...
I am not trying to scare you but I would definately consider surgery.. I am going back 17 years so I would imagine they are more advanced now in your options ,there were ladies on my ward that had had keyhole surgery and they were fine .. I was just unlucky..

I have only heard of zapping kidney stones not gallstones
I remember going around the supermarket looking for fat free items.. even tin carrots have a trace of fat in them :eek: I lost so much weight over 2 years and dreaded an attack ... I cannot stress enough how better my life was after the recovery period.. yes I do sometimes think that I can feel the pain, mildly, but I think that is moreso when I have taken ibuprofen or too manly tablets over a long period of time it is nothing like the real gallstone pain..

I hope this helps you and I have not frightened you , you will feel a different person if you decide to have it done (by the way I still have my gallstone in a pot , yep was only one , guess about the size of a fruit pastel, how one little ball could cause so much pain )

Lovingitifitsabargain

BTW

I eat what ever I want now and was never told otherwise....;)

Pink.

Hi everyone,

This thread is for low fat dietary discussion. Please don't ask for or give medical advice as it is likely to be deleted by the forum team. You can read the forum guidelines here.

Thanks,

Pink

lostinrates

Every week I make up a soup using either a stew pack (£2 atm) or the same cntents when cheaper, or an assortment of other veg (e.g. onions, celery and leeks). I add to that any veg left over fro our more adventurous weekend meals, e.g. on Monday the left overs of a big bunch of corriander (stalks and all), some parsely went it, the week before it was broccoli I had left over.

A teaspoon of marigold and water and then on to simmer NO fat of any sort, no pre saute-ing...just in the pot. Then blitz witha hand blender. I have this for supper and lunch often, both meals...perhaps augmented differently to stop boredom, but atm its certianly one mea of every day. A drizzle of low fat yogurt, a shake of gren tabasco. For visitors perhaps a grate of parmesan and a few chilli flakes.

Its cheap, its filling, its nutritious and though its NOT balanced (prtein, calcium etc comes from different sources in my diet) its a ruddy good way to take care of winter lunches.

bluebag

Shysarah wrote: »

Thank you all for your advice. I will check out those links next Pink thanks and also look into R.C.'s diet.

Does anyone have any shopping tips as that's my main problem?

I am doing a lot to be conservative with my funds as I mentioned in my primary post but I am wondering if anyone has any other ideas?

I also always go for the home or value ranges too, I work in the food industry (when I am well) and have for 10+ years so am used to seeing what really goes into things..

I don't drink which is a good job really as with all the pain relief and alcohol I would be even more loopy than I am already lol

Your advice is greatly appreciated..
Sarah x

I found online shopping useful as you can check the fat content of most food from the comfort of your own chair.

Most supermarkets do a fairly reasonably priced 'lighter/good for you' range, I find them very good.

Chicken, turkey and fish are all low fat, although be wary of the legs as sometimes these can be much higher in fat than the breast.
Avoid sausages and pies as they are very high in fat.

Vegatables, rice, pasta, pulses and grains are all low fat, low fat cheese and milk is also easily available.
Plenty of choice and scope for rustling up your own speciality.

Hope it all goes well for you.