The primary function of the gallbladder is to concentrate, store and excrete bile, says "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy." Bile helps digest fat in food. Although women are more likely to develop gallstones, men are still at risk. Men who suffer from cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder, need to follow a diet with 25 percent to 30 percent of calories from fat to prevent further complications.
Milk and Milk Products
Men on a low-fat gallbladder diet can have two or more servings of milk and milk products a day, says Jackson/Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. Low-fat choices include skim milk, non-fat sour cream, fat-free yogurt, fat-free cheese, low-fat cottage cheese and part skim mozzarella and ricotta cheese.
Grains and Starches
Low-fat grains and starches for men include whole-grain bread, whole-grain cereal, saltine crackers, low-fat snack crackers, rice cakes, unbuttered air-popped popcorn, low-fat muffins, pasta, rice and oatmeal. Jackson/Siegelbaum Gastroenterology says to use low-fat and fat-free sauces on pasta. Grains and starches are good sources of fiber, and men need 38g of fiber a day, according to the American Dietetic Association. Men are allowed four or more servings of grains and starches on a low-fat gallbladder diet.
Fruits and Vegetables
All vegetables made without any added fat are good choices for men on a gallbladder diet. The American Dietetic Association says men need to eat tomatoes at least once a week for prostate health. Tomatoes are high in the antioxidant lycopene. All fruits, with the exception of avocado, are allowed on the low-fat diet. Five or more servings of fruits and vegetables are recommended per day.
Meats
Meats should be trimmed of all visible fat before cooking, explains Jackson/Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. Low-fat cooking methods include baking, steaming and broiling. Low-fat meat choices for men include poultry without the skin, veal, lean beef—round, sirloin, flank and tenderloin—fresh, canned, cured or boiled ham, Canadian bacon, lean pork—tenderloin, chops, cutlet—fresh, frozen or canned fish, eggs and 95 percent fat-free luncheon meat. Jackson/Siegelbaum Gastroenterology recommends men have five to six ounces of meat a day.
Fats and Oils
Fats and oils need to be limited to three servings a day, according to Jackson/Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, on the gallbladder diet for men. Fat and oil serving sizes include 2 tbsp. of avocado, 1 tsp. of margarine or butter, 1 tsp. of oil, 2 tsp. of diet margarine, 1 tbsp. of salad dressing, 2 tbsp. of low-fat salad dressing, six almonds, two walnuts, one strip of bacon, 1 tbsp. of cream cheese and 2 tsp. of peanut butter. Men should choose more plant-based fats and oils to limit intake of saturated fat, says the American Dietetic Association.
References
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. and Sylvia Escott-Stump. M.A. R.D.; 1996
- NIDDK: Gallstones
- Jackson/Seigelbaum Gastroenterology: Low-Fat Diet
- American Dietetic Association: Healthy Eating for Men
Member Comments