Your gallbladder is a small sac located underneath your liver. Its main function is to store bile, a substance that helps your body digest fats. If your gallbladder becomes inflamed, blocked or experiences growths like tumors or abcesses, you can experience gallbladder disease. Because gallbladder disease affects your ability to process fats, your doctor may recommend changes to your diet.
Fiber
Fiber is beneficial when you have gallbladder disease because fiber helps to move foods through your digestive system. Because fats tend to be digested slowly, especially with impaired gallbladder function, fiber can help to aid digestion. Examples of fiber-containing foods include most fruits and vegetables. If you have trouble incorporating these foods into your daily diet, consider taking 1 tsp. of flaxmeal one to three times per day. Adding the flaxmeal to apple juice can increase your overall fiber intake.
Foods to Avoid
Foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol can be irritating to your gallbladder, causing you to experience painful symptoms. Foods to avoid include eggs, which are high in cholesterol and are known to be irritating to the gallbladder. Red meats also are higher in saturated fats -- avoid options that have a significant amount of visible fat. Other foods to avoid include those that are fried or contain trans fatty acids, such as those found in baked goods. Cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, doughnuts and margarine all contain trans fatty acids.
Low-Fat Options
Instead of high-fat foods, choose lean protein sources like chicken, turkey, cold-water fish, soy or beans. Other healthy sources of fat in your diet can be the cooking oils you use. Choose olive or vegetable oil as healthy options. Supplement these fats sources with low-fat fruits and vegetables. Choose the most colorful ones whenever possible -- choices like blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, bell peppers and squash are all good options because they are high in antioxidants, which help to fight inflammation.
Meal Timing
Just as important to your food choices can be your meal timing. Eating large meals can be too hard on your gallbladder because your body may not be able to release enough bile. Instead, eat several smaller meals each day. An example of a low-fat, high-fiber meal includes fresh fruit, two slices of whole-grain bread and a glass of low-fat milk. Another could be vegetables soup, vegetables cooked with olive oil and fresh fruit for dessert.
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