The Troubled Gallbladder: Diet Tips for Those with Gallbladder Issues

Most people never think twice about the health of their gallbladder.

While a small and often unknown organ in the human body, the gallbladder plays a major role in helping to store bile, the product responsible for digesting the fat in the foods we consume.

One of the most common problems people experience with their gallbladders is the formation of gallstones.

Forming for a variety of reasons, gallstones are often comprised of excess cholesterol.

These small pieces of hard material can cause severe pain and even block the ducts connecting to the gallbladder. They can range in size from as small as a piece of grain to even as large as a golf ball.

Although most people never experience issues, even if they have gallstone formations in their gallbladder, those that do experience symptoms will complain of:

• Pain in the upper abdomen and back, especially near the right shoulder blade
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bloating, indigestion, belching, and heartburn

If the symptoms persist and are causing extreme discomfort, the gallbladder may require removal by a specialized gallbladder surgeon using Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Set up an appointment or get a second opinion with Dr. Fraiman. Call 410-427-2024 today.

Gallbladder Disease and Diet

Body weight is a major factor in gallstone formation; those that are overweight increase their likelihood of developing gallbladder disease at some point in their lives.

Having gallbladder disease, especially gallstones, will make it difficult for your gallbladder to break down food properly placing you at risk for other digestive disorders if untreated.

In some cases, should the disease progress, you may need to have the troubled gallbladder removed by a gallbladder surgeon specializing in gallbladder removal procedures.

However, by following a healthy diet aimed at gallbladder health, those who are at risk for developing gallbladder disease may be able to control the disease more efficiently.

Generally, your new diet will look very similar to a normal, healthy, and balanced diet. It has been theorized that diets that are high in fat and cholesterol as well as those low in fiber appear to play a role in a gallbladder disease. Cholesterol is one of the main culprits in gallstone formation, therefore avoiding excessive cholesterol in your diet is an essential first step to preventing a future gallbladder surgery.

Lowering your overall cholesterol intake and upping the nutrients and fiber necessary to keep your digestive system functioning at its highest possible level will aid in gallbladder disease prevention.

You will also need to decrease your intake of fatty foods that place a great deal of strain on your gallbladder to break them down and move them through the digestive system.

Diet Tips for Those with Gallbladder Issues

There are many things you can incorporate into your diet to keep your gallbladder running efficiently and without issue.

Take a look at some of the best diet tips that can be used before gallbladder disease forms, during gallbladder disease episodes, and even after your gallbladder surgeon removes a diseased gallbladder:

1. Decrease your body weight

If you’re overweight, even by only 10 pounds, try to lose the extra weight.

• The extra strain on your body from being overweight is harmful to not only your gallbladder but the rest of your body.
• Lose weight gradually — There is a link between quick weight loss and gallstone formation. If you lose weight too quickly the liver has to release more cholesterol into the bile, disrupting the normal balance of cholesterol and bile salts. That increase in cholesterol can harden and form gallstones.

2. Avoid refined carbohydrates and saturated fats

If you currently have a gallstone blocking a duct, when your gallbladder attempts to squeeze the necessary bile out into the body for digestion, it has to squeeze extra hard due to the blockage and the end result is pain.

• If you eat fatty foods or refined carbohydrates, you gallbladder is forced to squeeze more because digesting those foods is more difficult and requires a higher quantity of bile, therefore making the pain increase noticeably.

3. Good food choices:

• Apples - Apples contain acids that help break down cholesterol. 80% of gallstones are made up of cholesterol so eating apples may be able to help soften or even dissolve gallstones.
• Artichokes - Artichokes encourage bile production reducing the amount of cholesterol in your gallbladder, again lessening your chances of gallstone formation.
• Beets - Beets help thin your bile to break down sludge and small gallstones in your gallbladder and bile ducts because they have high amounts of insoluble fiber, also beneficial to overall health.
• Leafy Greens - Eating greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens can reduce the leftover residue caused by meat, dairy products, sugar, grains, and alcohol. This lessens the burden on the liver (which is responsible for this residue removal) and consequently, the gallbladder.
• Peanuts/Cashews – Some studies have shown that women who regularly consumed peanuts or cashews have had as much as a 20 percent increase in their overall gallbladder health.
• Magnesium - This may be one of the best tips you can follow when aiming for an increase in gallbladder health. Studies have shown that people with the highest average magnesium intake were about 30% less likely to develop gallstones than people with the lowest average intake. The idea behind this is that magnesium helps to maintain HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol) which in turn lowers LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).

4. Food to Avoid:

• Fats - Many types of fats can cause pain because they require excess bile to digest. If there is a blockage due to a gallstone, that excess bile will have trouble getting through.
• Meats - Most notably red meats (which are difficult to digest) and anything fried.
• Dairy - Ice creams, high-fat milk, and eggs
• Drinks - Alcohol, black tea, sodas, and coffee
• High sodium foods – Excess sodium strains the body’s system and ultimately the gallbladder in the process.

5. High fiber foods (after gallbladder removal)

Too much fat in the diet may cause diarrhea because the bile (normally stored in the gallbladder) irritates the digestive system. Eating foods high in fiber can decrease this symptom.

• Avoiding some dairy products, spicy foods and caffeine after a gallbladder removal may help decrease these symptoms as well.

6. Do not completely remove fat from your diet

This can cause your gallbladder to shut down completely and stop producing the bile necessary for digestion. The key is to take in the right type of fats so that your body can get the oils it needs without causing harm to the gallbladder.

• Flax oil and omega 3 fats can be consumed with meals or as supplements to help break down foods without the added cholesterol some foods contain.

How Does Diet Affect Your Gallbladder?

The gallbladder plays a role in digesting food, which means your diet affects the overall health of your gallbladder. The bile stored in the gallbladder helps break down fats. When the cholesterol level in the bile is too high, gallstones can form. In fact, many gallstones are formed from hardened cholesterol.

When gallstones form, the most common treatment is the removal of the gallbladder. Patients who undergo this procedure can still have normal digestion. However, before gallbladder complications occur, it’s best to avoid them altogether by eating healthy for your gallbladder.

Meals That Are Healthy for Your Gallbladder

Using the above chart, you can see that many foods help reduce the stress placed on your gallbladder. This means you will want to eat things that are easier to digest, aid the digestion process, and support the work of the gallbladder. This includes:

• A wide variety of plant foods
• Lean proteins
• Fiber
• Healthy fats, such as omega-3s
• Calcium
• Vitamin C
• And certain beverages

It’s all well and good to know what foods are best for your gallbladder. However, you may be perplexed how to work these into your everyday meals. Here are some examples of how to eat healthy for your gallbladder — morning, noon and evening.

Breakfast

A gallbladder-healthy breakfast could consist of protein-rich Greek yogurt with fruits and nuts. The protein in the yogurt reduces stress on your gallbladder. The fiber in the fruit and nuts not only adds bulk to your stool but also assists your body in toxin removal. Add a glass of vitamin C rich orange juice or coffee — both of which have been shown to help keep the gallbladder working properly.

Lunch

For lunch, you may want to consider a salad rich with a variety of veggies and fruits. Upping your plant intake in your diet ensures you get as many different nutrients as possible.

Snacks

For your snack, there are a huge variety of gallbladder-healthy foods to choose from including those high in fiber, which will feed the healthy bacteria in your gut, rich in lean protein or those that have healthy fats. Examples of this could be:

• Half an avocado with a seasoning of your choice
• A handful of walnuts or almonds
• Seeds like flaxseeds
• Sweet potato fries

You may also want to get some calcium in your diet which also supports a healthy gallbladder. This includes yogurt, kale, broccoli, and other low-fat dairy products.

Dinner

For dinner, a lean white fish is a great option. Not only is this a lean protein, but it’s also a great source of healthy fat. As a side dish, find a delicious recipe for your favorite veggie. You can also indulge in a glass of wine. One drink per day has been shown to reduce the risk of gallstones and other gallbladder complications.

Recommended Diet After Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Gallbladder removal surgery, also called cholecystectomy, can help address persistent gallbladder problems including gallstones, infections and other conditions. However, some people experience new digestive symptoms for several weeks or months after surgery, including diarrhea. This is because, without the gallbladder, the liver empties bile directly into the intestines, where it acts as a laxative. The body needs time to adjust, so it’s a good idea to adopt a modified diet after gallbladder removal.

Foods to Eat After Surgery

After gallbladder removal, patients may experience diarrhea or other digestive discomfort because the bile (normally stored in the gallbladder) irritates the digestive system. Eating foods high in fiber can decrease this symptom. To compensate for the gallbladder and help normalize bowel movements after surgery, you should introduce more soluble fiber into your diet. Just make sure to raise fiber intake gradually over several weeks, as a sudden spike can cause gas and worsen cramping.

Some examples of high-fiber foods to add to your gallbladder diet after surgery include:

• Beans
• Raw seeds
• Peas
• Barley
• Oat bran
• Broccoli
• Figs
• Potatoes

Changing the size of the meals you eat could also help you feel better after surgery. Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day could help ensure easier digestion with the bile your body has available. If you have any questions about what your diet should look like after your procedure, ask Dr. Fraiman or a member of our multidisciplinary team.

Foods to Avoid After Surgery

The body may have a harder time digesting some foods after surgery, leading to diarrhea. Eating more fiber can help reduce discomfort, but avoiding some dairy products, spicy foods and caffeine after a gallbladder removal may help decrease these symptoms as well. Following surgery, you will need to eliminate some troublesome items from your diet. However, you may be able to reintroduce them later or swap them out for healthier alternatives.

In general, you should avoid:

• High-fat foods: Although you still need to eat some fats after surgery, the body may struggle to digest foods with high fat content. Avoid fried foods, full-fat dairy products, gravies and fatty meats like beef, pork, bacon and sausage.
• Caffeine: Caffeinated foods and beverages like coffee, tea and chocolate could make your symptoms worse after surgery by causing the stomach to produce more acid and drain faster.
• Sugary, processed foods: Packaged snack foods tend to contain excess oils. Plus, very sweet foods can sometimes worsen diarrhea. Avoid store-bought cookies, cakes, chips and crackers.

An Overview: What You Should and Should Not Eat if You Have Gallbladder Issues

Conclusion

In the end, each gallbladder problem and the severity of its disease differs from person to person.

It is important to experiment with these diet tips and see what works for you because no one reacts exactly the same to diet changes. However, implementing a healthy diet into your daily lifestyle will only have added benefits to your overall health while also helping to control or even prevent gallbladder problems such as gallstones.

Should you think you are having severe gallbladder issues, including gallstones, consider contacting your favorite Maryland gallbladder surgeon, Dr. Fraiman. He is ready to consult with you and develop a plan of action so that living with gallbladder disease can become something of the past for you or your loved ones.

Resources:

1. http://www.webmd.boots.com/healthy-eating/guide/gallbladder-diet
2. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/losing_weight/index.html
3. http://gallbladderhelp.com/gallbladder-help-home/healthy-gallbladder-diets/
4. http://www.healwithfood.org/gallstones/diet.php
5. https://www.md-health.com/Gallbladder-Diet.html

This articles was medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Fraiman on August 11, 2015.