Your gallbladder concentrates bile produced by the liver and stores it for future use. The bile is released into your small intestines to aid in digestion, especially for breaking down dietary fats. You develop gallbladder disease when gallstones appear in the sac or when the organ itself becomes inflamed. Dietary changes may relieve symptoms, but a severely damaged gallbladder often must be removed.
Side Effects
You may develop gallstones and never have any symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. On the other hand, you may experience severe pain in the upper right corner of your abdomen when gallstones block the bile duct and you can't release the needed bile after eating a particularly fatty meal. A diet high in cholesterol creates the hardened balls that end up as gallstones that also can lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
Meals
It's important to eat breakfast every day when you have gallbladder disease to prevent side effects and avoid having your gallbladder removed. According to MayoClinic.com, fasting and skipping meals can lead to gallstone formation because the bile sits too long in the gallbladder sac, giving it time to solidify and harden. Rapid weight loss is another risk factor for developing gallstones. A diet that consists of losing 1 or 2 lbs. a week is ideal and usually results from a balanced diet that includes breakfast.
Fiber
Fiber helps food move smoothly through your digestive tract. Before your gallbladder disease becomes severe, consider including high fiber foods in your dietary regimen. Cereal is an effective fiber source commonly eaten at breakfast. Look for cereal made from whole grains. Fresh fruit is another effective fiber source that can prevent additional gallstones from forming. Eat the peel on fruit to get the most benefits from the fiber. Use fiber supplements, if your doctor approves, to boost your fiber intake. You can add 1 tsp. of flaxmeal to an 8 oz. glass of apple juice at breakfast for example.
Avoid
Some common breakfast foods to avoid include eggs, which are high in cholesterol and increases the likelihood of increasing your symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Pastries high in saturated and trans fats are some of the worst offenders to your sensitive gallbladder. Avoid breakfast meats such as bacon and sausage, which are high in fat. Processed meats also contain nitrates that may trigger food sensitivities and cause inflammation in your weakened organ. Try switching to breakfast meats made with tofu and whole-wheat dry toast. Mix fruit and grains in yogurt that may contribute healthy probiotics to reduce infection in your digestive tract.
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