The gallbladder's job is to condense bile manufactured by the liver and store it until the gallbladder is stimulated by eating to squirt the bile into the small intestine. The digestive system uses bile to break down and absorb fats. A gallbladder that isn't functioning correctly can be painful, sometimes requiring surgery to remove the gallbladder. Gallstones are a common condition in the United States, and according to MayoClinic.com, a low-fiber diet high in cholesterol and fat can be a major risk factor in the development of gallstones.
Fatty Meat
Avoid eating meat that is high in saturated fats to protect your gallbladder from developing disease or to ease symptoms caused by gallstones or other gallbladder problems. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature. Saturated fats are found in animal products, bacon, sausages and hamburger. Avoid meats that are heavily marbled with fat, and cut any visible fat or skin from meat before cooking.
Fried Foods
Don't eat food that has been fried. Even healthy foods like vegetables can become a problem for your gallbladder if you fry them or dip them in high-fat dressings or butter sauces. Avoid sauteing food in butter -- use margarine instead.
Dairy Products
You need calcium and the other vitamins and minerals available in dairy products for a healthy diet, but many dairy products are high in fat. Avoid drinking whole milk or using non-dairy creamers. Regular cheese is higher in fat than no-fat or low-fat varieties. Toppings like cheese spreads and sour cream can be high in fat.
Desserts
There are many desserts and snack foods that are not good for your gallbladder. For your gallbladder's health, avoid regular ice cream, pastries, doughnuts, cookies, cream puffs and pudding made with whole milk. Avocados are high in fat, according to Jackson-Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, but all other fruits are low in fat. Avoid adding whipped creams or dessert toppings that may be high in fat.
Other Foods and Beverages
Keep an eye on the fat content of your favorite beverages, especially coffee drinks. Many have hidden fats that can aggravate your gallbladder. Avoid cream soups, which may be high in fat, as are soups containing fatty meat. Soups made from stocks containing meat fat should not be eaten. Check the content of lunch meat by reading the nutrition label, and avoid those lunch meats that are not at least 95 percent fat free.
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