Diet during gallbladder crisis: what to eat, what to avoid (and menu)

​The diet for gallbladder crisis, which can occur when there are gallstones, should consist mainly of low-fat foods, and therefore, the consumption of fried foods and sausages should be reduced.

Furthermore, it is also important to increase water intake, whether in the form of a drink or food, as it reduces the most common symptoms of the crisis, such as abdominal pain and discomfort.

Food is a fundamental component of treatment during a gallbladder crisis but should not replace the clinical treatment prescribed by your doctor, which may include the use of medication.

Foods allowed during the crisis

During a gallbladder crisis, it is recommended to eat foods rich in water and with little or no fat, such as:

• Fruits, such as apple, pear, peach, pineapple, watermelon, strawberry, orange, kiwi, fig, cherry, blackberry, melon or raspberry;
• Vegetables, specially cooked;
• Oats and whole grainssuch as rice, pasta or whole-grain bread;
• Tuberssuch as potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes or cassava;
• Skimmed milk and derivativesdepending on each person’s tolerance;
• Vegetable drinks, such as rice, almond or oat milk;
• lean meats, such as skinless chicken, fish and turkey;
• Drinks, such as water, natural juices and teas.

In addition to the food, you need to pay attention to the type of food preparation, giving preference to boiled, steamed and grilled, because these are the ways that do not require added fat. See how to make a home remedy for gallstones.

Make an appointment with your nearest nutritionist or doctor, using the tool below, for more guidance on what to eat during a gallbladder crisis:

What not to eat in a gallbladder crisis

Foods that should be reduced or avoided during a gallbladder crisis are those that contain a large amount of fat, as their intake can stimulate the gallbladder to release bile. Thus, the foods that should not be consumed during a gallbladder crisis are:

• Fatty fruits such as coconut, avocado or açaí;
• Lmilk and full-fat yogurt;
• yellow cheeses, like parmesan and standard mines;
• Butter and any other animal fat;
• fat meats, such as chops, sausage, mocotó duck or goose meat;
• Kids, such as liver, heart, kidney or gizzard;
• Sausagessuch as ham, sausages or mortadella;
• Oilseedssuch as walnuts, chestnuts, almonds or peanuts;
• Fatty fishsuch as tuna, salmon and sardines;
• Processed foodssuch as chocolate, biscuits, puff pastry, meat broth or ready-made sauces.

In addition, you should also avoid consuming frozen and pre-prepared food, such as pizzas and lasagna, in addition to fast food and alcoholic beverages, and it is also very important to read the label of the foods to be consumed and choose those that have a lower fat content.

Some people may identify other foods, in addition to those listed, that are responsible for the symptoms of gallbladder crisis, and it is important to keep a food diary indicating the food consumed throughout the day and the symptoms that appeared. This tends to be common in people who have intestinal pain and gas, as the consumption of some foods can cause an increase in gas and cause abdominal discomfort, “worsening” the pain of a gallbladder crisis.

Example of a 3-day menu

The following table indicates a menu option for 3 days that helps alleviate symptoms

The quantities included in this menu may vary according to the person’s age, gender, health history and level of physical activity. Therefore, the ideal is to consult a nutritionist to carry out a complete assessment and develop a nutritional plan that best suits each person’s needs.

To find out how food can alleviate gallbladder crisis symptoms, watch the following video: