Pregnant women are more likely to develop gallbladder disorders. Therefore, it is important to scrutinize your diet for the good health of the baby and yourself. Read on to know more on that aspect.
The gallbladder stores and concentrates the important digestive juice (bile) that aids digestion of food, particularly fats. When the digestive juice contains too much cholesterol or not enough salts, the bile juice in the bladder solidifies, the result of which is a substance like a small pebble or stone. They are referred to as “gallbladder stones”.
During pregnancy, a woman undergoes a lot of hormonal changes. The levels of estrogen and progesterone increases, which curbs the gallbladder from contracting and releasing bile to help digestion, thus, retaining the bile juice in the bladder. This slows the emptying process of the bile, and the concentration of bile increases in the gallbladder. When the concentration of bile increases, they are more likely to solidify, the result being gallstones. Research shows 15 percent of women develop gallstones when pregnant.
Obese women are more prone to gallstones. The extra pounds a woman puts on during pregnancy contributes largely to the risk to gallbladder problems. To reduce the risk of gallbladder disorders during pregnancy, the mother-to-be must take her gallbladder diet plan seriously. Following a high fiber diet, exercising regularly, and so on, will not only work in favor of reducing the risk of gallbladder problems, but also help you shed those extra pounds, besides working wonders for your energy levels and overall fitness.
The foods allowed and that what should be avoided, not only restrict to women who have gallbladder problems, but this diet plan also goes out to those who have conceived and wish to keep away from the problem. So, here you go.
Foods Allowed
√ Beets
√ Cucumbers
√ Okra
√ Sweet potatoes
√ Avocados
√ Shallots
√ Beta-carotene rich foods
√ Tomatoes
√ Lemon juice – a glass of lemon juice tin the morning helps clean the liver
√ Foods containing high amount of omega 3 oils like hemp or flax is very beneficial and important part of any gallbladder diet
√ Cold water fish
√ Onions and garlic
√ Tender baby beans
√ Organic flax seeds
√ Swiss chard
√ Dandelion greens
√ Berries
√ Carrots
√ Fibrous fruits and vegetables
Foods to be Avoided
× Eggs
× Pork
× Fowl
× Gluten
× Corn
× Nuts
× Fried Foods
× Red meat
× Ice creams
× Cut down on your caffeine intake
× Aerated drinks and sodas
× Spicy foods
× Beer, wine, liquor
× Black tea
× Packaged and canned food
× All artificial sweeteners
× Bleached foods
It is very important to eat healthy and the right food, during pregnancy. After all, good health of the baby and the mum-to-be is at stake. Therefore, at whatever stage of pregnancy you are, your diet has to be scrutinized and kept healthy. A good diet plan during pregnancy will have your cholesterol levels controlled and reduce your risk to gallbladder problems too. Eliminating harmful fats, including high fibrous foodstuff, and plenty of fluids, will help you overcome the painful symptoms or prevent you from having those painful gallstones. A high fiber diet controls the blood glucose level and aids the digestion process better. It provides roughage to pass stools regularly without the use of laxatives, which helps you to get rid of the harmful fats and shed those extra flabs too. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. This will not only aggravate the gallbladder problems, but is also harmful for the development of the baby.
Each woman has an individual situation, and every different situation calls for a variation in the diet during pregnancy. Hence, it is important to consult your dietitian or obstetrician before you opt for any diet plan. The rule is to eat fresh and wholesome food, to keep away from gallbladder problems, specially during pregnancy. After all the mum-to-be has to sustain herself as well as nourish the baby!
Disclaimer: This HerHaleness article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical expert.
