Dietary recommendations and restrictions for patients with cholecystitis:
In addition to medication and surgery, nutritional therapy should also be considered in the treatment of cholecystitis, especially during the pain relief and postoperative recovery stages.
1. The overall goal of nutritional therapy is to control fat intake, reduce or alleviate patient pain, and prevent the formation of gallstones. Severely ill patients in the acute phase should be kept NPO (nothing by mouth), but can receive intravenous supplementation of various nutrients. When they can eat, they should avoid fatty and spicy foods, and can consume a high-carbohydrate liquid diet for a short period. As the condition gradually improves, a low-fat semi-liquid diet or low-fat, low-residue soft diet can be given. Eat small, frequent meals daily, and still limit meat and high-fat foods. Chronic cholecystitis patients should be given a high-protein, high-carbohydrate diet with moderate amounts of fat, and rich in vitamins.
2. Sufficient energy intake is necessary to meet the patient's needs. If the patient is overweight, a low-calorie diet should be provided to help them lose weight. This low-calorie diet should also be low in fat to meet the fat restriction requirements for patients with gallbladder disease. Generally, a daily energy intake of 7531.2–8368 joules (1800–2000 kcal) is recommended.
3. For patients with chronic cholecystitis, in order to maintain health, improve appetite, promote gallbladder contraction, and promote gallbladder emptying, the proportion of protein in the diet should be increased as much as possible. A daily protein intake of 1 to 1.2 grams per kilogram is appropriate, but excessive protein intake and cholesterol should be avoided.
4. Because fat can promote the contraction of the diseased gallbladder and cause severe pain, it should be strictly limited during an attack. Daily fat intake should be less than 40 grams or should be avoided. After the condition improves, moderate amounts can be resumed.
5. When consuming a carbohydrate-rich liquid diet, the main nutrient is sugar. Sufficient carbohydrates of 300-350 grams should be provided daily, especially during flare-ups, and should be supplied intravenously.
6. Provide plenty of vitamins, paying particular attention to supplementing vitamins B and C.
7. Avoid spicy foods and alcohol.