5 Best Diet for Gallbladder Attacks: A Complete Guide for You

Want the best diet for gallbladder attacks? This article will provide nutritious choices that can be a part of your diet for a healthier lifestyle.

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped, small organ under the liver (on the upper right part of the abdomen). Its primary function is to store and release bile, which helps the body digest fats that we consume.

1. Why a Gallbladder Diet?

Through healthy dietary choices, our gallbladder can do its function. If not, many gallbladder problems occur like: 

1. Gallstones: Our body can develop gallstones – pebble-shaped objects composed of bile material, in our bile ducts. Their sizes can be small or large; they cause pain and inflammation and are generally harmless.
2. Gallstone pancreatitis: caused due to inflammation of the pancreas
3. Cholecystitis: an inflammation in the gall bladder.

1.1 Common Symptoms of These Problems Include:

1. Abdominal pain
2. Fever
3. Chills
4. Nausea and vomiting
5. Jaundice (in case the ducts are blocked)
6. Light-colored urine and stools

So to prevent gallbladder disease, it is necessary to have the right food choices.

2. The Best Diet for Gallbladder Attacks

The best diet for gallbladder attacks will help ease the digestion process and reduce stress. The best type of diet is a mixture of all the below choices: 

2.1 Plant-Based Diet  

Fresh fruits and veggies are excellent sources of vitamins, antioxidants¹, and minerals, which might help prevent gallbladder disease. 

These choices are also rich in vitamin C, fighting gallbladder problems.

Some examples include:

1) Fruits like strawberries and kiwis

2) Citrus fruits like oranges

3) Leafy vegetables like broccoli

4) Tomatoes, red and green peppers.

2.2 Lean Protein Diet  

Protein intake helps repair and grow body tissues. Although red meat and several dairy products fall under this category, they are high-fat foods that can cause stress to the gallbladder.

So, a low-fat diet would be a better option:

1) Fish and poultry

2) low-fat dairy products like milk and yogurt.

3) Beans and lentils (legumes)

4) Soy products

5) Nuts and seeds

Anyhow, fresh foods with less sugar are preferred, as processed meats might be hazardous to health.

2.3 Fiber-Rich Diet  

Fiber helps with better digestive health, especially for gallbladder disease, as it may offer a better food movement with less production of secondary bile acids.

So, a high fiber diet is recommended, like: 

1. Fruits and vegetables like bananas, berries, and greens.
2. Legumes like green peas
3. Whole grain cereals and whole wheat bread.
4. Mixed nuts

2.4 Healthy Fat or The Low-Fat Diet

A low-fat diet has 30% calories (which can be read on the nutrition label). Unsaturated fats are a good option, like omega 3², protecting gallbladder health. Items include:

1. Nuts like walnuts
2. Coldwater fish
3. Fish oils or flaxseed

It is generally advised to avoid high-fat foods, like certain vegetable oils and processed food items, including baked ones, for overall well-being.

Apart from healthy cereals and grains, a low-fat diet also includes many fat-free alternatives:

1. Fat-free sauces
2. Fat-free salad dressing
3. Fat-free sour cream
4. Fat-free mayonnaise
5. Fat-free cream cheese

2.5 Calcium Diet

Calcium can help with overall gallbladder health, and the food items that can ensure the supply are:

1. Leafy green vegetables like kale and broccoli
2. Dairy products like milk and Cheese
3. Dairy alternatives like flax milk
4. Lemon juice and fruit juices.

2.6 Magnesium and The Folate-Rich Diet  

Magnesium and folate-rich food can help prevent risk gallbladder diseases like gallstones.

Some examples include:

1. Dry fruits like cashews and almonds
2. Beans like edamame and black beans
3. Avocado
4. Potato
5. Rice
6. Spinach and asparagus
7. Beef liver
8. Black-eyed peas

3. Best Diet for Gallbladder Attacks After Gallbladder Surgery

Gallbladder diseases like gallstones can block the ducts, which can be extremely painful and may become life-threatening. Statistically, women are prone to develop gallstones more than men, primarily due to pregnancy, hormonal birth control, and hormone replacement therapy.

In extreme cases, gallbladder removal is surgically done. After removal, side effects can be caused, like bloating and diarrhea. Other potential risk factors include a history of gallbladder issues, rapid weight loss, weight gain, diabetes, and other food allergies.

The critical point is to ease into the process. Here are some other cautious steps that can be taken:

3.1 Opt for Low-Fat Foods  

A low-fat diet is the best option, with incredibly lean meats like baked chicken and fish. A major obstacle would be ‘fatty foods’ like fried foods and cream sauces.

Remember: Ease from eating bland healthy foods to spicier options, according to your digestive system. Another tip is to use essential ingredients in recipes of saying fried or buttered foods, like applesauce and flax seeds.

3.2 Dairy Products (Dos and Don’ts)

Dairy products should be used with caution; even though they are rich in calcium and protein, some options like low-fat ice cream and low-fat milk need to be.

Whole milk products are to be avoided as they might cause more diarrhea.

3.3 Gradual Fiber Intake 

Although fiber consumption can help with diarrhea, other side effects include gas and cramps. So, the advice is to increase the fiber diet slowly.

Some options can be brown rice, legumes, fresh fruits and veggies, and whole-grain cereals.

3.4 Regular Hydration 

Constant water or any other vitamin and mineral-filled beverages can help with diarrhea. Sports drinks having sodium and potassium are a decent option.

Beverages with caffeine and soft drinks are to be avoided.

3.5 Keep a Healthy Long-Term Eating Habit

If you are easing into gaining healthy weight with low fats and small yet regular meals, make sure to follow it till your appetite turns normal.

If the diet doesn’t help with your digestion, the best solution is to see a health care professional.

Furthermore, certain food items can worsen the side effects:

1. Avoid regular ice cream
2. Avoid processed foods
3. Avoid cream soups
4. Avoid fish canned
5. Avoid spicy foods

Even though research says a ‘gallbladder cleansing‘ diet can be misleading, some have suggested specific diets for a gallstone flush like:

1. A strict diet that includes apple juice (up to 2 weeks)
2. The diet can be followed by drinking a mix of olive oil and citrus juice and Epsom salts.

Research does suggest olive oil can affect the bile juices, but not the gallstones directly.

Other natural options include cleansing with apple cider vinegar, gradual yoga, milk thistle, artichoke, and castor oil.

4. Foods to Avoid During Gallbladder Problems

Those who might have the tendency or feel like developing future gallbladder issues, make sure to read the food labels carefully and avoid these food items:

4.1 Refined Carbohydrates

Although unrefined carbohydrates might provide healthy nutrients like whole oats, refined ones may pose a risk.

So, carbs to avoid are:

1. Added sweeteners
2. Refined grains
3. White flour
4. Store-bought cakes and cookies or prepared snack foods
5. Chocolate and candies

4.2 High-Fat Foods

The bile that helps digest our foods may be obstructed by consuming trans fats and saturated fat.

Research says to avoid high-fat foods like red meats and eggs, leading to gallstones³.

4.2.1 Fatty Foods and Processed Foods to Avoid:

1. Processed Cheese and meats
2. Fatty dairy products
3. Fried items
4. Store-bought sauces and dressings
5. Store-bought baked goods
6. Convenience food meals
7. Chocolate and ice cream

5. Lifestyle Changes for Better Gallbladder Health

Apart from the change in your diet, there are also other measures that one can take to ensure a healthy life:

5.1 Manage Your Weight

Obesity is a significant factor for gallbladder problems, so keeping a body mass index within the range is suggested (for adults, it’s mostly within 18.5 to 25.9)

5.2 Manage Weight Fluctuations 

Adapting to a healthier lifestyle does come with its challenges.

The central part is to make a gradual leap, as weight loss that occurs rapidly might strain the gallbladder and the liver.

5.3 Avoid Allergic Items 

Some of us are prone to allergies⁴ to certain food items, leading to gallbladder symptoms.

A proper allergy test and the prescribed diet in a case need to be followed.

5.4 Avoid Smoking 

Gallbladder problems can also include cancer, and smoking tobacco can be a significant cause of it.

Click here to know the research on the causes of gallbladder diseases to understand the reasons behind diet and other lifestyle changes.

6. Medical Treatments for Gallbladder Problems

Dietary and lifestyle changes might help prevent and even ease the gallbladder issue, however in unavoidable circumstances, seeking professional help is the best solution.

Some of the treatments in such cases might include:

1. OTC (over-the-counter) pain medications like ibuprofen.
2. Prescribed pain medications, like morphine and hydrocodone
3. Lithotripsy procedure to break the gallstones through shock waves
4. Surgery to either remove the gallstones or the entire gallbladder.

In any case, the critical part to keep in mind is to aim for good well-being and holistic life changes that don’t include a single diet but a combination of food items that provide the necessary means to do so.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

7.1 What Signs Indicate a Gallbladder Attack?

A gallbladder attack is characterized by excruciating upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, a fever, chills, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).

7.2 What Causes Attacks on The Gallbladder?

Gallstones, which are solid deposits that develop in the gallbladder, are the most frequent cause of gallbladder attacks. Additional causes include bile duct blockage and gallbladder infection (cholecystitis).

7.3 How Are Attacks on The Gallbladder Identified?

Typically, a physical examination, blood tests, and imaging tests like an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI are used to diagnose gallbladder attacks.

If you liked this article, click here to read another lifestyle-related one.

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2. Djuricic, Ivana, and Philip C. Calder. “Beneficial outcomes of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on human health: An update for 2021.” Nutrients 13.7 (2021): 2421. ↩︎
3. Parra-Landazury, Nela Melissa, Jacqueline Cordova-Gallardo, and Nahum Méndez-Sánchez. “Obesity and gallstones.” Visceral medicine 37.5 (2021): 394-402. ↩︎
4. Luschkova, Daria, Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann, and Alika Ludwig. “Climate change and allergies.” Allergo Journal International 31.4 (2022): 114-120. ↩︎

Last Updated on March 9, 2024 by Suchi