Your gallbladder is a small organ located just below your liver aiding in the digestion of fat while storing bile. When your gallbladder begins to show signs of strain, you can experience painful symptoms. A painful gallbladder attack is an indication of the presence of gallstones -- which require prompt medical care. Gallstones can lead to cholecystitis, or gallbladder inflammation. An infection within the bile can also lead to cholecystitis. Diets high in fat and cholesterol and low in fiber increase the risk of gallstones due to increased cholesterol in the bile and reduced gallbladder emptying.
Meat
Meat is a reliable source of protein and protein is beneficial to overall health. However, fatty meats take longer for your body to process and digest. Your gallbladder can have difficulty processing the food and passing it through to the liver. Gallbladder inflammation occurs when the gallbladder is unable to process bile from the small intestine. Replace high-fat meats with lean meats that have minimal amounts of apparent fat. Substitute red meat with poultry or seafood to find other sources of lean protein.
Deep-Fried Foods
Frequently consuming deep fried foods such as French fries and corn dogs can lead to gallbladder irritation. The fat and oil from a deep fried treat contains high amounts of cholesterol that ends up in the bile and can result in cholecystitis. Avoid deep fried foods and choose steamed and baked foods as a replacement.
Dairy
If you are experiencing symptoms of gallbladder disease or inflammation including loss of appetite, pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, nausea and vomiting -- especially after eating fatty foods, seek medical care. Your doctor will make an accurate diagnosis through blood tests and diagnostic imaging. Some forms of dairy, such as milk, ice cream and cheese, can irritate the gallbladder, especially if you have underlying food allergy. Replace dairy foods with lactose-free or soy based products to see if irritation stops.
Processed Foods
Processed foods may irritate the gallbladder. Processed food is defined as any food that has added preservatives, chemicals, flavor enhancers and food additives. Some processed food may be high in calories or fat and refined carbohydrate. Processed food may also have low fiber content, which can contribute to gallbladder problems.
References
- NetWellness; What Type of Diet Should I Be on if I Have Gall Bladder Problems? July 14, 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease Symptoms; Reviewed by: Harvey Simon, MD; June 26, 2009
- Drugs.com: Biliary Colic
- Familydoctor.org; Gallbladder Removal, Laparoscopic Method; Family Doctor Editorial Staff; July 2010
- Penn Medicine: Gall Bladder Disease
- MayoClinic.com; Cholecystitis; Mayo Clinic Staff; Sept. 4, 2009
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