The gallbladder stores and excretes bile into the digestive tract. Complications with the gallbladder often lead to a need to change your diet. Gallstones and cholecystis often call for a low-fat diet. With surgical removal of the gallbladder, you can usually return to a regular diet, because the liver is able to store and excrete bile without the gallbladder. High risk factors for gallbladder trouble are women who have recently given birth, obesity, diabetes, rapid weight loss and consumption of a high-fat diet for a long period of time.
Significance
The main function of the gallbladder is to concentrate, store and excrete bile produced in the liver. Bile is necessary for digestion and absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins. Fat is absorbed when combined with bile in the digestive tract. Without the presence of bile, fat from foods cannot be digested, and therefore the diet must be altered to exclude fat. When the gallbladder is removed, the liver may still create and store bile.
Gallstones
Also called cholelithiasis, gallstones are small stones that sometimes grow in the gallbladder. While some gallstones cause no irritation and pass through the body, others may move into the bile duct and cause obstructions, pain and cramps. Medical treatment often involves surgery or dissolution of the stones. While there is no diet that will prevent formation of gallstones, a low-fat diet decreases stimulation of the gallbladder to excrete bile, which helps reduce pain caused by gallstones.
Other Gallbladder Conditions
A regular diet is recommended after gallbladder removal, with no need for any diet restrictions. Occasionally patients may have slight intolerance to fat.
Cholecystitis, or an inflamed gallbladder is another condition, and is usually caused by gallstones. A low-fat diet is recommended for those with cholescystitis, limiting fat to 30 to 45 g per day.
If the gallbladder is not fully able to excrete bile and digest fat, the absorption of fat soluble vitamins decreases. Patients with chronic cholecystitis often take a fat-soluble vitamin supplement containing vitamins A, E and K.
Foods to Avoid
Limiting high-fat foods helps to limit pain in the gallbladder. In an acute condition, the patient should avoid fat until the condition is corrected medically. With the presence of a chronic gallbladder condition, fat should be limited to 30 to 45 g daily. High-fat dairy foods to avoid include, whole milk, full-fat cheeses and creams. High-fat breads are biscuits, donuts, sweet rolls, cakes and fritters. You should limit eggs to thee per week, choose lean meats and avoid cream soups. Fats to limit include butter, shortening, oil, mayonnaise, bacon, cream, nuts and olives.
Sample Meals
Low-fat breakfast foods include skim milk with cereal, fruits and toast. A low-fat lunch or dinner can include low-fat luncheon meats, low-fat meats, bread, potatoes, fruit salads and broth soups. Low-fat snacks can include nonfat yogurts, crackers, fruit juices and low-fat cheese.
References
- Krause's Food and Nutrition Therapy; L. Kathleen Mahan; 2008
- Informa Health Care; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Fat: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; Henry A. Pitt; May 2007
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