How to Eat a Low Fat Diet to Prevent Gallbladder Surgery

Cholecystitis is a gall bladder disease where gallstones (cholesterol stones) form in your gall bladder. When the gallstones block your bile ducts, they cause sudden pain in your upper abdomen on the right side. It can last for 30 minutes or several hours. You may also have pain between your shoulder blades and underneath your right shoulder. If the ducts remain blocked too long, it can cause damage to your gallbladder, pancreas or liver. If not treated promptly, it can result in death. Eating a low fat diet may help prevent the necessity of surgery.

Things You'll Need

• High fiber foods
• Whole grains
• Beans
• Lean meat
• Low fat dairy products

Instructions

1. 

   Include high fiber foods in your diet, such as fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains, which include whole wheat bread, brown rice, bran and oats.

2. 

   Add beans to your diet, such as pinto, navy and black beans, as well as lentils. Beans and lentils are also high in fiber.

3. 

   Eat only lean meats, such as skinless chicken, turkey and fish. Use canned tuna that is packed in water rather than oil. Remove any excess fat before preparing. Grilling and broiling are better for you than frying.

4. 

   Use low fat dairy products, such as reduced fat cheese, low fat or fat-free yogurt, fat-free no sugar added ice cream, reduced fat spreads and 1 percent milk or skim milk.

5. Avoid fried foods, gassy foods, such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, processed foods and whole milk products like ice cream, regular cheese and butter.

Tips & Warnings

• Spicy food may not be tolerated well with cholecystitis.

• If you have pain that continues for more than five hours, nausea and vomiting, fever or chills, jaundice or clay colored stools, you should contact your physician immediately.

Resources

• Diet for gall bladder problems
• Information about gallstones