Having a Hard Time Giving Up Chocolate on a Gallbladder Diet?

I love Chocolate!

Gallblascular diet.  Cocoa nibs are low in fat, contain only cocoa and are anti-inflammatory which is good for the aorta and digestive system.

My gallbladder screams when I eat a chocolate bar though, reminding me that all the rich fats and oils in the processed candy are not what my body needs.

I have however found other ways to satisfy my cocoa cravings without causing that horrible, intense gallbladder pain or inflaming my already torn descending aorta walls.

The basic principle behind these two chocolate delights is one of 'non-processed'.  Actually both the unsweetened cocoa powder and nibs are processed but only minimally processed.  And there is just on ingredient - cocoa, not a whole hoard of probably taste good but not healthy sugar, preservatives, flavorings and oils.

Though this is just one particular example of the fundamental philosophy behind the Gallblascular Diet, the premise is consistent with all food items.

I find it is generally OK, even healthy, to eat 'whole' foods.

Foods with less than two or three ingredients on their packaging or preferable foods with no packaging at all are best for our aorta and digestive system - and our entire body.

Gallblascular Diet.  Satisfy your chocolate urge without gallbladder pain or inflammation from candy bars by using unsweetened cocoa.

I was so surprised and pleases about nine months into my Gallblascular Diet when I realized unsweetened cocoa powder and cocoa nibs were safe to eat.  No pain from the gallbladder, no inflammatory arterial damage to my cardiovascular system.

Gallblascular diet.  Unsweetened cocoa powder contains only cocoa and is actually low in fat and carbs.

In fact the flavanols in cocoa are reportedly quite healthy for us humans.

Try dissolving a spoonful or two in warm non-fat milk or if you are a vegan like me in almond or cashew milk.  If you can't tolerate the 'milks' then hot water works well too.

For a quick snack a small handful of cocoa nibs always quickly satisfies the chocolate urge.

Gallblascular diet.  Cocoa nibs are low in fat, contain only cocoa and are  anti-inflammatory which is good for the aorta and digestive system.

Remember, whole non-processed foods are what the Gallblascular Diet is all about.  Read the ingredients. If the package contains  lots of chemicals, preservatives, flavors, sugars, oils and other ingredients it probably is not good for you, your aorta or your gallbladder/pancreas.

Heal Gallbladder with Papaya!

Fresh cut papaya is not only tasty but useful in alleviating gallbladder issues for many.

Gallbladder diet.  Fresh cut papaya makes an awesome, gallbladder friendly snack!

I've found the best way to prepare papaya is to peel then cut up into bite sized chunks.  Once the papaya is prepared then store in a glass container overnight in the refrigerator.

The enzyme in papaya, papain, assists in digestion by assisting the breaking down of food proteins into easily adsorbable amino acids.

Ask your doctor about adding papaya to your diet, especially if you are pregnant.

Papaya seeds too provide some interesting and powerful health benefits, including potential liver health support.

As you know the liver and gallbladder are closely integrated with each other in function.

Check out this information packed article about the health benefits of papaya. 

And then look through this note about papaya seeds' properties.

Consider adding papaya to your refrigerator for a gallbladder healthy snack!

Gallbladder diet. Crab Cakes Are Oh So Gallbladder Friendly

The more I learn about cooking and ingredients for Gallbladder life, the more I delicious and fun recipes I find.

Gallbladder diet.  Gallbladder friendly Crab Cakes with Zero Fat.

Crab cakes for the Gallbladder is one recipe sure to please your palate all the while keeping your little bile sac happy.

And those of us with sharp little stones in our GB are intent on keeping that tempermental little organ happy.

The secret ingredients in these crab cakes are celery, apple, ginger and turmeric; and of course - delicious crab.  Carrots, celery, ginger and apples "encourage liver detoxification, alkalise and cleanse the system and provide vitamin C (and fiber) to move the bowel"  and do wonders for the gallbladder according to AskaNaturopath.com

Gallbladder Happy Crab Cakes (low to no fat)

• Two 8 oz cups of jumbo lump crab meat
• 1 large onion finely diced
• 4 stalks celery finely diced
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup Panco bread crumbs (fat free)
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon chopped or ground ginger (preferably fresh)
• 1 large green apple finely chopped
• 1 cup egg whites
• paprika for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Gallbladder diet.  Onions are an essential recipe for gallbladder diets.

Peel and finely chop one large onion.

Gallbladder diet.  Fresh and finely diced onions are a must ingredient for crab cakes!

Wash and finely chop four stalks organic celery.

Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl with a fork.

Add parchment paper to cooking sheet.

Using your hand scoop out a small handful of the crabmeat-vegetables blend and pat into a small patty, placing on the parchment paper.  Continue until all the crabmeat blend is formed into patties and placed on the parchment paper lined cooking sheet.

Gallbladder diet.  Crab cakes ready for baking in the oven!

Dust each patty with paprika.

Place in the oven and bake until the crab cakes are golden brown and crispy on the outside but moist on the inside.

Serve with cocktail sauce.

Gallbladder diet.  Yummy golden brown giant lump crab cakes will please your taste buds and gallbladder too!

Enjoy!  They won't last long.

Cheers and happy gallbladder dieting!

Kevin  #gallbladderlife.

Gallbladder diet. Tuna Balls So Gallbladder Friendly, Filling and Flavorful.

In all honesty the food choices for a gallbladder friendly meal are limited compared to a normal diet.

Gallbladder diet.  Beautiful, scrumptious tuna balls, tasty and gallbladder friendly.

For what our gallbladder diets lack in diversity though we more than make up for with respect to creativity and interesting preparations.

Tuna balls will fill you up.  I mean they are super hearty in a tasty way.

Of course I try and avoid sugars for we all know sugar promotes inflammation and inflammation in our bodies is one of the last things we want with an irritated gallbladder.  Regardless, I like ketchup with my tuna balls.

Best to buy ketchup with real sugar rather than insulin spiking high fructose corn sweetners though.

So here is my recipe for...

Gallbladder Friendly Tuna Balls

Ingredients:

• Two cans of tuna (with very, very low or no fat!)
• 1 tablespoon celery seed
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• two stems of organic celery, finely chopped
• one large onion, finely diced
• 1 cup Panco bread crumbs (no fat variety)
• 1/2 cup egg whites (egg whites contain no fat and no cholesterol!)
• dash turmeric

Preheat oven to 350F.

Dice two celery stalks.

Finely chop a large onion, trying Not to let your eyes water and water and water....  

Gallbladder diet.  Finely chop a large onion.  Onions are an important part of a gallbladder diet.

In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients and stir well with a fork.

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden.

Gallbladder diet.  Bake tuna balls at 350 F.  Baking beats frying any day for gallbladder friendly meals.

Serve with honey mustard, cocktail sauce or ketchup.

Store leftover tuna balls in the refrigerator for fabulous snacks the next day.

Cheers!  Kevin  #Gallbladderlife

Gallbladder Diet. Gallbladder Friendly Watermelon Makes Cardiovascular, Gallbladder and Liver Healthy Snack.

Keeping a watermelon in your refrigerator provides both gallbladder and cardiovascular super support.

Gallbladder diet.  Gallbladder friendly watermelon makes for an excellent breakfast, mid-day snack or evening dessert!

Sometimes the simple foods and snacks are the ones we often overlook.

Watermelon has been shown to provide tremendous support for the gallbladder!  Some websites purport watermelon rind can actually assist in dissolving gallstones.

Watermelon is reported to contain significant amounts of potassium and acts as a diuretic, cleansing toxins and sludge buildup from your body.

Of course watermelon contains no significant amounts of fats or oils, something that my post-gallbladder attack body demands of the foods I ingest.

Additionally, the Florida State University has conducted research showing watermelon actually lowers blood pressure.

Lower blood pressure is important for gallbladder health because hypertension can lead to a significant decrease in blood flow to the liver and gallbladder, injuring these two organs.  An injured gallbladder is an unhappy gallbladder.  Ugh.

Finally, watermelon is tasty, especially if one is chilled in the refrigerator, sweet and ripe, ready for eating.

Yet many times I used to walk right past melons in the market, ignoring these healthy fruits, heading instead to the chip aisle.  Not anymore.  My gallbladder diet includes frequent watermelon purchases.

I keep them iced and ready for a refreshing breakfast, mid day snack or suppertime dessert.

Consider adding super healthy for your heart and gallbladder watermelon to your weekly gallbladder friendly diet.

Cheers!  Kevin  #gallbladderlife.

Gallbladder life. Gallbladder Friendly Snacks On The Go!

We embarked on a road trip this weekend.

Gallbladder friendly treats are a necessity carryon for road trips.

Gallbladder diet.  Gallbladder friendly snacks like tuna are full of protein and contain no fat.

Road trips can be difficult on my gallbladder life primarily because of change in routine, and the fact I am away from all the gallbladder friendly food in my refrigerator.

This weekend was no different.  I soon ran out or just became tired of my non-refrigerated packed  up gallbladder friendly fresh and dried fruit, seaweed and water.

After the third gasoline station stop I purchased a pack of SourPatch Kids Soft & Chewy candy, and a box of fat-free Fig Newtons.  I also began raiding the cinnamon Altoids tin.

Gallbladder diet.  Fat free Fig Newtons were gallbladder friendly but did spike my insulin response!

My body was seeking fuel.  Normally I'd eat a healthy and gallbladder friendly spinach salad loaded with chopped fresh or water sautéed vegetables.  A meal of leafy greens, roots, berries and fish would provide complex carbohydrates, protein and nutrients that slowed my insulin response rather than spiking it.

But I had no salad fixings.  I just had sugary items.  And I gave in and ate them, downing a whole pack of fat-free Fig Newtons while driving.

Gallbladder diet.  I always look for 'no fat' snacks.  But look at the Fig Newton calories - 900 per box!

My excuse was 'driving is stressful therefore I should comfort my cravings'.  Ha.  Big mistake.

Of course I felt absolutely great for a minute or two afterwards but within five minutes the sugar low hit.

I felt worse after the sugary junk food than I'd felt before when I was starving.

On the second day in an attempt to avoid the sugary crash damage we made a stop at the local grocer, Publix.

Finding gallbladder friendly food is sometimes a challenge even in the most well stocked of food stores.

I did come across two types of pre-packaged tuna, marinated with both lemon pepper and basil with lemon.

Gallbladder diet. Gallbladder friendly tuna makes a perfect road trip snack.

So a bag full of easy tear open, delicious tuna left the store with me.

For the rest of the day my hunger was satiated with solid protein, no-fat protein.

Gallbladder diet.  Each pack contains 13 grams protein, only 1 gram sugar and just 60 calories!

No more blood sugar spikes and bye-bye hunger and hello happy gallbladder.

Tuna is very filling.  Each tear open pack contains only 1 gram of sugar, 60 calories but packs a whopping 13 grams protein!

Gallbladder life is a challenge.

But we can always find an answer to life's challenges with a little creativity.

So next time you make a road trip, consider packing a bag full of cooked, marinated tuna.

Not my preferred 'whole, non-processed food' type, but much better for my body and my gallbladder than SourPatch Kids.

Cheers!  Kevin  #Gallbladderlife

Gallbladder diet. Acai and Apple Cider Vinegar, Papaya and Smoked Salmon Heartiness

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) was one of the first gallbladder attack and gallstone cures I read about.

Gallbladder diet.  I mix ACV with water or Acai juice with a 1:8 or 2:8 ratio.

First I doubted, waiting six months before adding ACV to my diet.

You see, I am a skeptic, especially with respect to 'home remedies'.

Now I am a believer in ACV, not only for the capabilities of ACV to potentially emulsify or dissolve and help remove gallbladder sludge, but also for the healthy positive effect of slowing insulin spikes after eating.

I drink my ACV twice daily, once in the morning and once in evening.

Gallbladder diet.  ACV drinks are slightly acidic, so be sure to brush your teeth afterwards.

Most ACV centered websites recommend one or two ounces of a non-filtered organic ACV, one filled with the probiotic rich particulate 'mother' mixed into a drink.

Gallbladder diet.  Apple Cider Vinegar is a must have for any gallbladder diet.  Always choose organic.

Acai juice is one of my favorite mixers.  Water does just fine too.  Blend the ACV to water or mixer juice at a 1:8 or 2:8 ACV:water ratio.

Sometimes I'll stir in a tablespoon of ACV into my morning ginger tea while participating in  stretching and yoga exercises.

ACV will be my go to relief drink also, along with plenty of water if ever I have another gallstone attack.

Papaya and Smoked Salmon Lunch.

There is something healthy sounding about an all orange-pinkish lunch.

Gallbladder diet.  Papaya and smoked salmon make a hearty, scrumptious meal.

Cold, sweet papaya and thin sliced smoke salmon go great together, creating a sweet and salty taste sensation that is irresistible to my taste buds.

I cut the papaya the night before and chill in the refrigerator for the next day.

As a side note, papayas are full of seeds.  It is fun to toss the seeds into the garden bed after cutting the papaya and watch them sprout.  Papaya trees usually produce massive amounts of fruit each year. If you live in a colder climate, try growing them indoors.

Gallbladder diet.  Sprouting papaya seeds

Gallbladder diet.  Papaya tree outside our patio.

Papayas are also an excellent source of Vitamins A, B's, and C, as well as fiber and folate according to many health sources.

Costco is my favorite place to purchase smoked salmon.

Gallbladder diet.  Gallbladder friendly smoked salmon should contain zero nitrites!

Always look for smoked salmon with the lowest total fat content.  Salmon contains a good amount of omega 3 fatty acids and will help you maintain the proper good to bad cholesterol/lipid ratio.

Just as important as the total fat content is finding smoked salmon with no added sodium nitrites.  Nitrites have been shown through research to possible cause or encourage some types of cancers.  The Costco brand I purchase contains no nitrites according to the label.

Gallbladder diets can be hearty and delicious!

There are so many non-processed fresh foods low in fat and rich in nutrients that you can combine to create a new and exciting, gallbladder friendly meal each day!

Cheers!  Kevin   #gallbladder life

Gallbladder diet. Wild Coho Salmon Beet and Baby Organic Spinach Salad. Keep gallbladder-friendly baked wild fish in the refrigerator!

Until the day I found I could eat wild caught fish my post-gallbladder attack diet consisted primarily of vegetables and fruits.

Gallbladder diet. Wild Coho Salmon Beet and Baby Organic Spinach Salad, so gallbladder-friendly!

Unfortunately my cholesterol fell to unhealthy levels with my last blood test showing a Total Cholesterol level of only 75 mg/l.

But today my blood lipid levels are correcting due to the daily small to medium amounts of baked or steamed wild caught fish in my diet.

Alarmingly, there are several studies indicating very low cholesterol levels may damage the brain, arteries or even cause aggressive behaviors such as ramming cars on a bridge and the like.  Even the National Institute of Health has linked lower cholesterol levels with violent behavior.

Honestly I've seldom if not never have really felt violent or aggressive towards anyone.  But regardless, eating fish adds protein and omega 3 fatty acids to my daily nutritional intake.

Gallbladder diet.  Store baked fish in the refrigerator for easy meal preparation.

Baking or steaming the fish ahead of time and then storing in the refrigerator makes for ease in preparing a fast yet delicious meal.

My favorite way to prepare the fish is to bake at 350F (175C) on parchment paper within a baking sheet for ten to twenty minutes depending on how 'well-done' you prefer your fish.

After the fish is laid out on the parchment paper I add powdered garlic, ginger, black pepper and salt; sometimes drizzling honey across the filets.

Allow to cool after baking then place the fish in a sealed glass container in the refrigerator for use in salads, snacks, chowders or as a main entree on the dinner table.

One of my favorite salads is wild coho salmon beet and baby organic spinach salad.

Wild Coho Salmon Beet and Baby Organic Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup baked salmon (pulled apart) per salad
• two whole pickled beets per salad (sliced)
• several handfuls of baby organic spinach per salad
• 1/4 sweet onion (diced) per salad
• one sweet red bell pepper
• one dozen small portobellos 
• honey mustard
• salt and pepper to taste
  

  

  Gallbladder diet.  First spread a thick layer of fresh spinach across the plate. 

Spread a thick layer of washed, fresh baby organic spinach across each dinner plate.

In a sauce pan steam-sauté a dozen sliced small portobello mushrooms and one chopped red bell pepper until tender.

Gallbladder diet.  Steaming veggies beats oil frying any day for gallbladder friendly foods.

Slice pickled beets and add on top of the baby spinach.  Reserve 1/2 cup beet juice for salad dressing.

Add handful of pulled wild coho salmon from the refrigerator to the top of each salad.

Gallbladder diet.  Add beets, peppers, mushrooms and onions to top of spinach layer.

Sprinkle 1/4 diced onion to the top of each salad.

Drizzle the salad with a light coat of honey mustard.

Place sautéd mushrooms and peppers atop the salmon.

Pour 3 or 4 tablespoons of the reserved pickled beet juice across the salad top.

Gallbladder diet.  Use pickled beet juice as part of a delicious salad dressing combo.

You and your gallbladder will appreciate the subtle and stimulating flavors of this exotically delicious salad (your family will too!).

Having the fish prepared and ready to use makes for a quick yet luxurious and quite satisfying meal.

Happy gallbladder eating!  Kevin.  #gallbladderlife

Gallbladder Diet, 07/27/16, Cookbook that Inspired my Gallbladder Diet

Sometimes there is a spark of inspiration leading you to achieve great things.

Gallbladder diet.  Although written for healthy hearts, this cookbook forms a great basis for gallbladder health also.

For me this cookbook started a food revolution in my life, one that has saved me from further #gallbladder pain and so far surgery.

This cookbook is comprehensive and lays all the nutritional facts out on each page for each recipe making it so easy to quickly decide whether or not the food may be gallbladder friendly.  For me a quick glance at the total fat content is all revealing.

Gallbladder diet.  I've changed some ingredients and practices to make recipes more gallbladder friendly.

Although the cookbook's recipes were compiled for good heart health they also perfectly serve to form the basis for a gallbladder friendly diet.

Gallbladder diet.  There are so many recipes one would have a hard time going hungry!

The American Heart Association's Cookbook offers an amazing array of scrumptious recipes most of which are low fat, and high in protein or complex carbohydrates.

Gallbladder diet.  Healthy cooking supports not only gallbladders but other body organs too!

I absolutely love the nutrition chart associated with each recipe.  Right away I can spot total fat content and decide whether or not the particular recipe may be gallbladder friendly.

Gallbladder diet.  How many times have I missed good coleslaw!  Here's a gallbladder friendly recipe!

Let me be clear - the book serves as an inspiration for a good gallbladder diet.  There are however some ingredients and cooking practices I've modified in my gallbladder diet, such as replacing cooking spray with poaching or water sautéing.

Seriously consider ordering the 8th edition of the American Heart Association's Cookbook here.

Gallbladder friendly diets don't have to be boring.

I am loving my kitchen, the food I prepare and eat even more now than ever before.  Note to Gallbladder; I'm not thanking you here for causing me to seek out a more healthy diet.  But I am glad I've discovered how to eat healthy all the while avoiding those horrible inflamed gallbladder sessions.

Cheers!  Kevin.  #gallbladderlife

Gallbladder Diet 7/15/2016, What About Snacks and Chick Pea, Rice, Spinach Soup and Talk Of Nuts

OK I'm hungry.  Not hungry enough for a meal, but still hungry.  I want a snack.

Gallbladder Diet, Keep GB Friendly, Healthy Snacks Closeby

Ideally once your gallbladder is stable, little meals or snacks throughout the day help you stay in shape and all importantly keep the gallbladder happy.

Snacks should also be healthy, for the most part.

Gallbladder Diet, Always Read Packaged Food Ingredients

One of the very worst times for hunger is when I'm in the van, away from home, with only convenience store food or Starbucks snacks close by at hand.

Feeling your blood sugar crash invites panic and desperation.

Panic and desperation invite giving in to all sorts of bad for your health, inflammation promoting, calorie loading cheap junk food.

Moon Pies used to be one of my favorites.  Of course today, with my gallbladder full of sludge and stones I'd come no closer to eating a Moon Pie than I would swimming with a Great White shark.

Gallbladder Diet, Seaweed May Be An Excellent Gallbladder Friendly Snack

Black coffee was another favorite 'snack' of mine.  Sometimes I'd use those sweet flavored creamers but usually just plain old black coffee would take the edge off hunger and satisfy my cravings for snacks.

In one sense, I should thank my gallbladder for not putting up with me eating Moon Pies or drinking acidic black coffee all day long.  I know my arteries and intestines sure are happier now that I don't eat and imbibe as much oily, fatty 'junk'.

Most of the time l try and remember to pack a few gallbladder friendly easy-eats when going out, foods like;

• Dried figs (Costco has a great brand most of the year and they are organic)
• Kombu sea vegetable (similar to Nori seaweed but thicker and chewier)
• Celery and carrot sticks, fresh cut
• Nori seaweed (important to keep Nori sealed in a bag because it will absorb moisture), and
• Dehydrated apples, mango or papaya with limited or no sugar.

I've tried fat free turkey jerky.  Since I eat mostly vegan I'm not inclined to choose the turkey jerky much but it is a good source off protein.

Gallbladder Diet, Sea Vegetable Is Gallbladder Friendly For Me (Watch the Sodium)

Gallbladder Diet, Ingredients Show Zero Oils

Around the house I keep a jar of marinated mushrooms from Costco.

Gallbladder Diet, Marinated Mushrooms Make the Friendly List for My Gallbladder

Gallbladder Diet, Marinated Mushrooms Contain Zero Oil in This Jar

These tasty, somewhat chewy mushrooms have no oils or fats, except for those found naturally in the fungi.  They are not sweet nor too salty and though they are marinated in vinegar, the taste is quite mild yet very flavorful.

Gallbladder Diet, Figs Are Excellent Source of Energy and Satisfy Hunger

I used to be a big tree nut, seed and rhizome 'nut' fan.  Today, with my overactive gallbladder I can not eat nuts to any degree without risking an attack from the oils and fats most nuts are rich with and full of.

Not eating handfuls of pre-shelled nuts is a good thing too from an overall health perspective and weight control effort also.  Nuts are very high in fats and oils.  Fats and oils typically contain nine calories per gram. Thats a lot of fat energy.

Calculated out, if one eats a cup of salty roasted cashews then they are ingesting over 60 grams of total fat, enough for three days at my current gallbladder diet level. At least three days.

Though some people may be able to handle 60 grams of daily fat intake, remember this is just a snack.  Moreover, the omega 6 to omega 3 ratio in the cup of cashews is about 50:1.

Too much omega 6's promote inflammation according to many studies and inflammation in our bodies is exactly the opposite where we want to be if we are already challenged by gallbladder inflammation.

I'm not knocking nuts.

Nuts are excellent sources of energy for humans and all types of animals.  

My new gallbladder life dictates a different view of nuts though.  

Living by the no nut policy is best in my opinion.  However if one must have nuts then I recommend the 'if the nuts are shelled then don't eat them' policy.

Avoid packaged or canned pre-shelled  peanuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, macadamias, almonds or any other nuts.  Eat only those nuts you shell at the time you are hungry and looking for a snack.

Cracking a nut will slow you down.  Slow is better for the gallbladder and for your weight.  Picking out the shell pieces takes time.  Look for mindfulness and focus on breathing while preparing your nut snack.

Finally, if all else fails and you find yourself at the Seven Eleven, starving with blood sugar crashing avoid the yummy looking, fat laden packages of inflammatory junk and buy yourself instead a V8 juice or other vegetable juice.

No V8?  Convenience stores usually carry it but in the event they don't then purchase a water and a banana from the pile usually found on the check out counter.  No banana?  Go with the water.  It will make you feel better quickly.

Gallbladder life is a new reality.

People who've never experienced the sharp pain of an attack, or the nausea or difficulty in breathing have no idea what living with an inflamed gallbladder and stones is like.

But we deal with the challenges and move on.

Having healthy, gallbladder-friendly snacks at hand always helps.

Cheers, Kevin.