Gallstones
Gallstones are small stones that form in the gallbladder. In most cases they don’t cause any symptoms and don’t need to be treated. If a gallstone becomes trapped in a duct inside the gallbladder it can trigger a sudden intense abdominal pain that usually lasts between 1 and 5 hours.
FOODS TO EAT MORE OF
FOODS TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE
ESSENTIAL OILS
NATURAL/HERBAL
SUPPLEMENTS & HOMEOPATHIC
RECIPES/FOOD MEDICINE
Not all recipes are nutritionally perfect, but the options below are a great way to start incorporating beneficial foods into your diet in delicious ways. Always try to buy organic, and feel free to make substitutions to accommodate gluten-free, vegan, etc diets.
Abbreviation Definitions:
LC = Low Calorie (under 400 for breakfast, 600 for lunch/dinner, and 200 for beverages/sides/snacks)
GF = Gluten Free
KT = Keto / Low Carb
VG = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
BEVERAGES
MEALS
SIDES/SALADS/SNACKS
FOODS TO EAT MORE OF
- Fruits: apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, clementines, grapefruit, lemons, limes, oranges, pears, raspberries, red grapes, tangerines, tomatoes
- Vegetables: arugula, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, collard greens, kale, radishes, romaine lettuce, spinach, watercress
- Garlic, ginger, turmeric
- Flax seeds, oats, olive oil, whole grains
FOODS TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE
- Red meat and dairy products
- Sugar, refined foods, coffee
- Can be related to food intolerance - try an ELIMINATION DIET. (Most common food sensitivities for those with gallstones are eggs, pork, onions, coffee, milk, corn, beans and nuts).
ESSENTIAL OILS
- Geranium, grapefruit, juniper, lime, nutmeg, rosemary, wintergreen (apply to gallbladder area and/or bottom of feet).
NATURAL/HERBAL
- Calendula/marigold, dandelion leaf & root, garlic, ginger, milk thistle, parsley, turmeric
- Flaxseed Oil: 1 Tablespoon (14 grams) daily in liquid or pill form (can be mixed with food; take in the morning).
- Psyllium: 1 Tablespoon powder dissolved in water or juice twice daily (be sure to drink extra water).
- Drink only juices (no food) for 1 whole day. In the evening take 6 oz of olive oil followed by pure lemon juice. The next morning take a small dose of Epsom salt (1 teaspoon) mixed with 1 cup water.
- Take the juice of 3 lemons, 3 teaspoons cream of tartar, and 3 teaspoons Epsom salt, and put them in a pint jar. Fill jar with water, stirring every morning. Take 1 Tablespoon every morning before breakfast.
SUPPLEMENTS & HOMEOPATHIC
- Betaine Hydrochloride: 325-600mg daily
- Lecithin: 2 capsules of 19 grains (1200 mg) each twice daily (or 2 teaspoons granular form twice daily before meals)
- Lipotropic combination: 1-2 pills twice daily (need 250 mg milk thistle, may also include choline, inositol, methionine and dandelion)
- Peppermint Oil: 2 capsules (containing .2 ml of oil each) twice daily. Buy enteric-coated capsules, take between meals)
- Phosphatidyl Choline: 300-2,000 mg daily
- Taurine: 1,000 mg L-Taurine twice daily for up to 3 months (after 6 weeks, add mixed amino acid complex)
- Vitamin C: 1,000 mg 3 times daily (reduce if it causes diarrhea)
RECIPES/FOOD MEDICINE
Not all recipes are nutritionally perfect, but the options below are a great way to start incorporating beneficial foods into your diet in delicious ways. Always try to buy organic, and feel free to make substitutions to accommodate gluten-free, vegan, etc diets.
Abbreviation Definitions:
LC = Low Calorie (under 400 for breakfast, 600 for lunch/dinner, and 200 for beverages/sides/snacks)
GF = Gluten Free
KT = Keto / Low Carb
VG = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
BEVERAGES
- Banana-Blueberry Smoothie GF VT
- Barley Water LC VG VT
- Blueberry Peach Smoothie LC GF VG VT
- Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie GF VT
- Blueberry Smoothie LC GF VG VT
- Blueberry-Pomegranate Smoothie LC GF VT
- Cranberry-Blueberry Smoothie GF VT
- Golden Milk LC GF VG VT
- Mega-Greens Smoothie GF VT
- PB & Jelly Sandwich Smoothie GF VG VT
- Pomegranate Dandelion Tea LC GF VG VT
- Soothing Elixir LC GF VG VT
- Super Skin Smoothie GF VT
- Superfruit Smoothie GF VG VT
- Tropical Smoothie LC GF VG VT
MEALS
- Adult Ramen LC GF VG VT
- Asian Broccoli & Rice Bowl LC GF VG VT
- Black Bean Chili LC VG VT
- Buddha Bowl GF VG VT
- Chicken Bone Broth LC GF
- Chicken Dumpling Soup LC
- Edamame Rice Bowl LC GF VG VT
- Farfalle with Tomatoes & Olives LC VG VT
- Japanese Onion Soup LC GF VG VT
- Miso Soup LC GF VG VT
- Quinoa Oatmeal LC GF VG VT
- Pasta Fagioli LC VG VT
- Spiced Lentil Soup LC GF VG VT
- Vegan Bulk Spaghetti Sauce LC GF VG VT
- Vegetable Broth LC GF VG VT
SIDES/SALADS/SNACKS
- Asian Cabbage Salad LC GF VG VT
- Avocado Cilantro-Lime Rice LC GF VG VT
- Brown Rice Pilaf with Saffron and Ginger LC GF VG VT
- Bruschetta LC, VG, VT
- Caraway Brussels Sprouts LC GF VG VT KT
- Chinese Peanut Salad LC GF VG VT
- Creamy Kale LC GF KT VG VT
- Dill Vinaigrette Greens LC GF VG VT KT
- Farro VG VT
- Fried Cabbage LC GF VG VT KT
- Glazed Carrots LC GF VG VT
- Irish Potatoes (Colcannon) LC GF VT
- Kale Salad with Sesame Dressing LC GF VG VT
- Pesto Vegetables LC GF VG VT KT
- Quinoa Salad LC GF VG VT
- Roasted Asparagus LC GF VG VT KT
- Roasted Broccoli LC GF VG VT
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts LC GF VG VT
- Roasted Carrots LC GF VG VT
- Sauteed Spinach LC GF KT VG VT
- Spinach & Strawberry Salad LC GF VG VT