Gallbladder attacks are the painful sign that something is wrong with your gallbladder. The National Library of Medicine lists several diseases that can affect the gallbladder, including gallstones, inflammation of the gall bladder and acalculous gallbladder disease which means the gallbladder does not empty properly. Each of these gallbladder diseases can lead to gallbladder attacks. The risk of developing these diseases can be reduced by avoiding certain foods.
Step 1
Learn how your gallbladder functions to help you avoid the foods that may lead to gallbladder attacks. The gallbladder is a small organ located just under your rib cage. The liver manufactures bile, and the gallbladder concentrates and stores the bile, until it is ready for use. When you eat food, especially fatty foods, the gallbladder is stimulated to squirt bile into the small intestine. Bile then breaks down the fat to get it ready for digestion. Foods high in fat are more likely to cause gallbladder disease and gallbladder attacks because they stimulate the gallbladder more than foods that are lower in fat.
Step 2
Avoid eating food that is high in saturated fat. Sometimes, you can see saturated fat in foods. Saturated fat is solid at room temperature. Meat with fat along the edges and hamburgers are examples of meat visibly high in saturated fat. Other meats containing hidden fats should be avoided. Read the nutrition label on processed meats, like luncheon meat, to be sure it is at least 95 percent fat free. Be aware of healthy foods with hidden fats, like avocados.
Step 3
Eat a diet high in fiber to avoid gallbladder attacks. MayoClinic.com states that a diet low in fiber is a risk factor in developing gallbladder disease. A diet that includes whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables is high in fiber. Choose products high in fiber, like whole wheat bread, instead of their low-fiber counterparts, like white bread.
Step 4
Bake, grill or broil meats instead of frying them. Fried foods are often high in fat and trans fats and should be avoided by those with gallbladder disease to prevent attacks. Read the manufacturer's label on processed foods to discover hidden trans fats, like those found in donuts, cookies, pastries and cakes.
Step 5
Choose reduced-fat dairy products, like skim milk and low-fat cheese, to avoid stimulating your gallbladder unnecessarily while still getting all the calcium and vitamins dairy products provide. You may choose to take calcium and vitamin supplements if you find that eating any dairy products leads to gallbladder attacks.
Step 6
Avoid high calorie foods with no nutritional value, such as candy and soda pop. Eating too many sweets can lead to obesity, a major risk factor in developing gallbladder disease and the subsequent gallbladder attacks, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Step 7
Eat smaller meals to give your body enough time to fully digest food. Don't skip meals as this leads to overeating and snacking on foods that are convenient but not healthy.
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