What Kind of Diet Should You Have for Your Gallbladder?

Borrowed from Stephanie Watson, a WebMD Feature. "The majority of people with gallstones never develop symptoms their whole lives," says John Martin, MD, associate professor of medicine and surgery, and director of endoscopy at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "Once you start to develop symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea & vomiting, you're going to need your gallbladder taken out."
Diet & the Risk for Gallstones A number of risk factors contribute to the formation of gallstones, including a family history of gallstones & gender. Women are twice as likely as men to develop them. Body weight is, also, a factor; the risk of gallstones is higher in people who are overweight & obese. Diets that are high in fat & cholesterol & low in fiber appear to play a role. "There's a lot of things you can't change in that list, but you can certainly influence your diet," says F. Taylor Wootton III, MD, clinical counselor, associate professor of internal medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, and a member of the American Gastroenterological Association governing board. If you're overweight, try to lose the extra weight; but do it gradually. There is a link between quick weight loss & gallstone formation. Crash or "yo-yo" diets can cause the liver to release more cholesterol into the bile, disrupting the normal balance of cholesterol & bile salts. That extra cholesterol can form into crystals, leading to gallstones, Wootton says. Those who get a gastric bypass operation tend to develop gallbladder problems afterward.
What Healthy Foods Should You Eat for Your Gallbladder? Whether or not you are at risk for gallstones, it's always a good idea to keep your body at a healthy weight & eat a diet that is low in fat & cholesterol, moderate in calories, and high in fiber.
All of the following are healthy foods for your gallbladder, as well as the rest of your body:
Fresh fruits & vegetables Whole grains (whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oats, bran cereal) Lean meat, poultry, & fish Low-fat dairy products