A gallbladder attack occurs when you have inflammation of the gallbladder or when gallstones are present. A variety of foods, such as eggs, can cause inflammation and worsen gallbladder symptoms. Your diet is key if you have gallbladder disease and are trying to prevent future gallbladder attacks. If you begin to experience a gallbladder attack, speak to your physician about treatment options.
Cholesterol
Eggs are high in cholesterol. Just one egg --- particularly the yolk --- contains about 213 mg of cholesterol. The recommended dietary cholesterol intake is 300 mg per day for a healthy adult. One single egg is almost a whole day's worth of cholesterol that a healthy person should have. If you have an egg and then consume other foods that have cholesterol and meet or exceed the daily amount, it may be too much for your gallbladder. If you have frequent gallbladder attacks or suffer from gallbladder disease, your doctor may tell you to limit the amount of cholesterol that you consume per day.
Types
It's not just eggs that are the culprit. Foods that are greasy, fried or high in cholesterol can irritate your gallbladder. This includes processed foods such as cookies, cakes and other bakery pastries. Greasy and fried foods, such as onion rings, fried chicken, French fries and pizza, may irritate your gallbladder as well. High-fat dairy products can also cause a gallbladder attack due to their fat content.
Alternatives
Use only the egg whites when consuming or cooking with eggs. The egg whites do not contain cholesterol, as all the cholesterol is in the yolk. Substitute egg servings with vegetables or fruits. When you have breakfast, eat a cup of fruit with your toast instead of eggs. You can also use a cholesterol-free egg substitute instead of regular whole eggs.
Gallbladder Attack
If you begin to suffer a gallbladder attack, you can experience pain in your upper abdomen that radiates from your shoulder and back down to your naval area. Gallbladder attacks can be so severe that they require emergency medical attention. You may experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration if severe enough. If you notice blood in your vomit or stools, seek immediate medical care.
