Gallbladder patients must be careful when it comes to their diets. Eating the right foods helps reduce symptoms and avoids burdening the digestive system by requiring more bile for digestion. According to MayoClinic.com, eating unsaturated fats and high-fiber foods may help prevent additional gallstones from forming. Nutrition is also important because diarrhea can accompany gallbladder removal.
Helpful Foods
As long as they are gluten-free, whole grain products are high in B vitamins and iron and are good food choices for gallbladder patients. Dark leafy greens, like kale, spinach and the sea vegetables, kombu and kelp, provide these same nutrients. Dulse, a red sea plant, is also good source of iron. At least one serving of fresh fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants, such as blueberries, tomatoes, cherries, squash and bell peppers, should accompany each meal. Cucumber and beets are especially helpful because they are rich in fiber and help control diarrhea. Other good vegetable choices include sweet potatoes, fresh green beans, okra, swiss chard, fresh garlic, beet greens, celery, dandelion greens and carrots. Avocados are a good way to get fats directly from food. Grapes, apples, papayas and pears are additional good fruits to eat. Lemon juice with warm water as a morning drink helps clean the liver. Lean meats, farm-raised fish and tofu are good sources of protein. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that fiber is so important to a gallbladder patient's diet that fiber supplements may be considered, such as 1 tsp. flaxmeal taken several times a day and added to apple juice.
Foods to Eat with Care
Garlic and onions must be fresh and not flaked or powdered because when processed, they may be difficult to digest. Food should be cooked in healthy oils such as olive oil and vegetable oil. Flax oil can be used with fresh lemon juice or vinegar on salads, but never cooked as cooking depletes its nutrient content. Grape and apple juice, as well as cucumber and beet juice are good choices; however, it is best to make these juices yourself from fresh ingredients. Although steamed greens, such as kale, collards and mustard greens, are used by the liver to detoxify, some people find them hard to digest. It is best to postpone eating these greens until they cause no distress. The body needs fats and they should not be avoided totally in favor of a fat-free or low-fat diet.
Foods to Avoid
In addition to artificial sweeteners, preservatives, sugar and refined foods like white flour, gallbladder patients must avoid dairy products, which can cause allergies. Eggs tend to irritate the gallbladder. Saturated fats, including margarine, hydrogenated oils and fried foods, must be completely avoided, but coconut oil and butter, as long as it is not clarified, can be used. Cabbage and cauliflower are vegetables to avoid as they are can produce excess gas. Additionally, fruit juices except grape and apple should be avoided. Tap water, carbonated water, coffee both regular and decaf, sodas, chocolate, alcohol and black tea are on the forbidden list, as well. Additionally, it is best to avoid pork, spicy foods and gluten-containing products such as wheat, barley and rye. Gallbladder patients should always consult with their doctors regarding food choices.
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