The gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac that sits right below your liver and above your small intestines. It acts as a storage tank for bile, a liquid that helps you digest fat. When you eat, specifically foods with fat, the gallbladder contracts and secretes bile into a tube which then carries it to your small intestines to aid in digestion. While there is no specific gallbladder diet, if you have problems with your gallbladder, you may have some difficulty digesting fat and need to follow a low-fat diet.
Diseases of the Gallbladder
One of the most common disorders of the gallbladder is the formation of gallstones. If you have gallstones and your gallbladder is otherwise fine, you have what is known as cholelithiasis -- gallstones without infection. Cholecystitis occurs when your gallbladder is inflamed and distended because gallstones are blocking the bile ducts, causing a backup of bile. Cholestasis occurs when there is sludge-like buildup of bile in the gallbladder due to a lack of stimulation. There is no specific dietary treatment for either cholelithiasis or cholestasis, but you may feel some relief from pain following a low-fat diet if you have cholecystitis.
Diet Basics
When following a low-fat diet for your gallbladder, you should limit your fat intake to 25 to 30 percent of your total calories. On a 2,000-calorie diet, that means limiting your total fat intake to 55 to 65 g a day. Reading food labels can help you track and limit your fat. However, limiting your fat intake too much can actually cause more harm than good, according to the authors of "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy," as it can prevent stimulation and drainage of your gallbladder.
Food Choices
While reading food labels can help you track your intake, knowing what foods to choose can make meal selection and preparation easier. Since milk and dairy products can be a source of fat, choose low-fat or nonfat varieties to limit your intake. Meats are also a source of fat, so it is best to choose lean cuts such as beef tenderloin, pork chops, skinless poultry and fish. Most grains are naturally low in fat and make good choices. You can include most cereals, oats, brown rice, whole grain breads and pasta in your diet. Fruits and vegetables are naturally fat-free and you can eat them without restriction as long as they are not prepared with high-fat sauces. When following a low-fat diet for your gallbladder, limit your intake of added fats, such as butter and oil, to no more than three servings a day.
Considerations
The purpose of the low-fat diet for the gallbladder is to help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with cholecystitis. Limiting your fat intake, limits the need for bile and reduces gallbladder contractions. However, fat tolerance varies from person to person. You may need to make adjustments to your diet, depending on how your body reacts to your food choices.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders; Gallstones; July 2007
- Jackson-Siegelbaum Gastroenterology; Low-Fat Diet; Frank Jackson
- "Krauses Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; L.Kathleen Mahan, Sylvia Escott-Stump; 1996
