Can you eat salad without gallbladder?
In this brief article, we will answer the question, “Can you eat salad without gallbladder?” We will discuss some benefits of eating salads without a gallbladder and foods that should be avoided after a gallbladder removal.
Can you eat salad without gallbladder?
Yes, you can eat salad without a gallbladder. Salads usually consist of a mixture of ingredients usually veggies, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and are usually topped with a dressing.
If you have undergone a cholecystectomy which is a medical procedure to remove the gallbladder, it is advised that you consume a diet that assists the digestive and biliary.
Such a diet should include foods such as veggies (tomatoes, carrots, spinach, beets etc), lettuce, grains and fruits. A salad can easily be made using the aforementioned ingredients and is therefore a good choice for people without a gallbladder.
Why can you eat salad without a gallbladder?
The nutritional value in a salad is largely dependent on the ingredients you use. You can make your salad healthier by using green vegetables and avoid high fat cheeses , oils and generally fat dressings.
Always ensure you use a lot of salad greens such as arugula, spinach, watercress, green leaf, romaine, ice berg, radicchio, bok choy, escarole and others. If you do you will reap health benefits such as:
Good supply of Vitamin A
The Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) for Vitamin A is 2,330 to 3,000 IU (700 to 900 micrograms). Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that assists in good night vision, fetal development, cell division and boosting of immunity. A 100-gram serving of romaine or red and green leaf lettuce will supply your body with more than twice your RDI.
Good source of Vitamin K
If you consume salad greens you may get a good supply of Vitamin K. Vitamin K is another fat soluble vitamin that assists in blood clotting, regulation of Calcium levels and bone metabolism. It also assists keep blood vessels healthy.
The human body stores little amounts of Vitamin A so it is essential you obtain it from a diet and a green salad with butterhead, red and green lettuce, romaine has more than 100 micrograms of Vitamin K and the RDI for adults is 90 to 120 micrograms.
May help protect your brain.
Eating a salad with leafy vegetables is very beneficial for the development of brain health. Research has shown that eating leafy veggies reduced the rate of cognitive decline equivalent to being eleven years younger.
Rich in phytonutrients
Salad greens are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are very useful as they prevent cell damage and can prevent certain types of cancers. Red leaf lettuce is usually high in antioxidants
Salad greens contain these unique compounds that act as antioxidants. Antioxidants can help prevent chronic diseases. Red leaf lettuce in particular is high in antioxidants.
Escarole is listed as one of the top 100 richest food sources of polyphenols (another name for phytonutrients). Other salad greens on the list include curly endive, green leaf, and red leaf lettuce.
What foods should I avoid without a gallbladder?
After a cholecystectomy, it is normal to have bouts of diarrhea. This is mainly because the bile now directly flows into your intestine and works as a laxative effect. This however gets better within a few months time.Immediately after the medical procedure it is prudent to avoid the following foods:
High fat foods:
This includes high fat meats such as Pork, Sausage, Lamb, Bacon etcetera This is because high fat foods are the hardest to digest and this can eventually lead to bloating and diarrhea.
Alcohol and caffeine:
These contain acids that contribute to the acid in the stomach. This can cause more acid buildup, discomfort and bloating.
Spicy foods:
Spicy foods contain capsaicin, an active ingredient in hot peppers. This can irritate the stomach lining and cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Dairy products:
Dairy products such as Whole milk, cream, butter, yogurt, ice cream etcetera can also be difficult to digest without a gallbladder. A better option would be to seek dairy alternatives such as almond milk
Processed foods:
As much as possible, also try to stay away from highly processed foods. These foods usually have high amounts of sugars and fats. This makes them very difficult to digest.
Conclusion
In this brief article, we have answered the question, “Can you eat salad without gallbladder?” We have discussed some benefits of eating salads without a gallbladder and foods that should be avoided after a gallbladder removal.
Citations
https://www.livestrong.com/article/547225-can-you-eat-salads-or-greens-with-gallstones/
