Your gallbladder is a 4-inch-long, oval-shaped organ connected to your liver. It concentrates bile from your liver and releases it into your small intestine to help break down food.
If your gallbladder becomes infected or develops stones, it may need to be removed. This procedure is known as cholecystectomy.
With your gallbladder, bile flows freely into your small intestine, where it can’t break down food as effectively as it did in your gallbladder. While you can live without your gallbladder, you might need to make some changes to your diet to make up this change.
For the most part, you’ll need to limit or avoid high-fat, oily, greasy, and processed foods, which are harder for your body to digest. You may not need to make these changes forever. In the months after the procedure, you’ll probably be able to slowly add some of these foods back into your diet.
Read on to learn exactly what you should eat, what you should look out for, and what else you can do to speed up your recovery from gallbladder removal surgery.
There’s no standard diet that people should follow after gallbladder removal surgery. In general, it’s best to avoid fatty, greasy, processed, and sugary foods.
Eating these foods after having your gallbladder removed won’t cause serious health problems, but it can lead to a lot of painful gas, bloating, and diarrhea. This is partly because bile flowing freely into your intestine works like a laxative.
Fatty meats
Meats that are processed or high in fat can wreak havoc on your digestive system following removal of your gallbladder.
Such meats include:
- steak or high-fat cuts of red meat
- beef, whole or ground
- pork
- bacon
- lunch meats, such as bologna and salami
- sausage
- lamb
Dairy products
Dairy can also be hard for your body to digest as it adjusts without a gallbladder.
Try to avoid or limit your consumption of:
- milk, especially whole
- full-fat yogurt
- full-fat cheese
- butter
- lard
- sour cream
- ice cream
- whipped cream
- sauces or gravies made with cream
If cutting out dairy isn’t realistic for you, try to choose fat-free yogurt and low-fat cheese options or versions that contain dairy alternatives, such as almond milk.
Processed foods
Processed foods often contain a lot of additional fat and sugar. This makes them last longer, but they’re also hard to digest and don’t offer much nutrition.
Try to stay away from:
- pie
- cake
- cookies
- cinnamon rolls
- sugary cereals
- white or other processed breads
- foods cooked in vegetable or hydrogenated oils
Caffeine and alcohol
Caffeine contains acids that can cause your stomach to make more acid and drain faster. This can lead to stomach pain and discomfort after having gallbladder removed.
Limit or avoid these caffeinated foods and beverages:
- coffee
- tea
- soda
- energy drinks
- snacks with caffeine, such as energy bars or coffee-flavored desserts
- chocolate
While it’s best to avoid certain foods when you don’t have a gallbladder, there are still plenty of things you can and should eat.
High-fiber foods
Fiber can improve digestion in the absence of concentrated bile. Just ramp up your intake slowly so you don’t overdo it right after surgery, as it can also cause gas.
The following are healthy sources of fiber and many other nutrients, such as calcium, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids:
- beans
- lentils
- peas
- potatoes with skin
- oats
- barley
- whole grain bread, pasta, rice, and cereal
- raw nuts (not roasted in oils), such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews
- raw seeds, such as hemp, chia, and poppy seeds
- sprouted grains, nuts, and seeds
- fruits and vegetables
Nutrient-dense, vitamin-dense fruits and veggies
Since you’ll be recovering from surgery and needing more fiber, try to incorporate as many nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables into your diet as possible.
The following foods are good sources of antioxidant vitamin A, fiber, immune-boosting vitamin C, and many phytonutrients to assist your body in recovery:
- legumes, such as peas, lentils, or beans
- cauliflower
- cabbage
- Brussels sprouts
- broccoli
- spinach
- kale
- tomatoes
- citrus, such as oranges and limes
- avocadoes
- blueberries
- blackberries
- raspberries
Lean meats or meat alternatives
If you’re used to eating a lot of meat, a gallbladder removal diet can seem intimidating. But you don’t have to cut out all meat. Just opt for leaner meats or plant proteins, such as:
- chicken breast
- turkey
- salmon
- trout
- herring
- white fish like cod and halibut
- legumes
- tofu
Healthy fats and low-fat, fat-free foods
Try to avoid heavy oils, especially when cooking. Swap vegetable oil for avocado, olive, or coconut oil. These have more good fats than other cooking oils. Still, you should try to limit your intake of oils.
You can also try low-fat versions of food you might need to avoid for a while, such as:
- mayonnaise
- milk
- yogurt
- sour cream
- ice cream