Gallbladder problems that affect young people include birth defects, inflammation, infection, obstruction, gallstones or blockages. If you have gallbladder problems, you may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen, gas and loss of appetite. Dietary changes that reduce your fat intake and improve the balance of your diet may help decrease your gallbladder problems.
Low Fat
Young people often consume diets high in fat content because of the convenience of fast foods, prepackaged snacks, baked goods and processed foods. Unfortunately, a high-fat diet increases your risk of gallbladder problems. Lower the fat content of restaurant-prepared foods by selecting leaner meats, such as chicken or poultry; ensuring foods are cooked using low-fat cooking methods, such as baked, steamed or broiled without added fat; having a salad as a side; and limiting yourself to single-serving sizes. Replace prepackaged snacks like chips and cookies with healthier choices, such as low-fat cheese sticks, a piece of fruit, or veggie sticks and dip. If you turn to processed foods or fast foods because you do not have time to prepare meals and snacks each day, consider cutting your veggie sticks or preparing healthy meals at the beginning of each week and safely storing them for easily prepared meals and snacks throughout the week.
Low Cholesterol
Your body combines cholesterol with water, bilirubin, protein, bile salts and fat to form gallstones. Limit the amount of cholesterol in your diet to help decrease your risk of gallstone formation and other gallbladder problems. Any foods produced from animal products -- such as eggs, dairy products, most baked goods and all types of meat -- contain cholesterol. Foods containing saturated fats and trans fats also increase the amount of cholesterol available to your gallbladder. Common sources of cholesterol, saturated fats and trans fats in a young adults diet include pizza, full-fat cheese, ice cream, doughnuts and fried foods. Unfortunately, if you have gallbladder problems, you need to limit these foods. Limit your fat and cholesterol intake even further by consuming more vegetarian-style proteins, such as nuts, seeds, lentils and legumes.
High Fiber
Fiber helps foods pass through the digestive system faster, aiding in the digestion of fat -- which often moves slowly through your body with an impaired gallbladder. Foods contain high amounts of fiber include fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts, and whole grains. If your busy schedule limits your intake of these foods, consider adding 1 tsp. of flaxmeal to apple juice, salad or cereal three times a day to increase your fiber intake, suggests the University of Maryland Medical Center. Increase your intake of water as you increase your intake of fiber.
Meal Timing
Gallbladder problems may make eating large meals difficult or painful. Consume five or six smaller meals throughout the day instead of two or three large meals. Examples of small meals for gallbladder problems include a small bowl of vegetable soup with a slice of whole grain bread, a fresh vegetable salad topped with low-fat dressing, fresh fruit with a glass of low-fat milk, or a chicken breast sandwich made with whole grain bread, lettuce and tomato.
