Having your gallbladder removed is a common operation that over half a million people undergo every year in the US alone. While the gallbladder isn’t an essential organ, it does have an important role in digestion. Without your gallbladder, you’ll need to be aware of which foods may cause digestive issues so you can keep your gut healthy.
Quick answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about diet after gallbladder removal:
- Focus on eating smaller, more frequent meals – 4-6 per day.
- Limit fried, fatty, greasy and processed foods which are harder to digest.
- Choose lean proteins like chicken, fish, eggs and tofu.
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains which provide fiber.
- Stay hydrated by drinking water and herbal teas.
- Avoid large or high-fat meals which can overwhelm your system.
- Introduce new foods slowly and chew thoroughly to aid digestion.
- Take digestive enzymes or bile salts supplements if you have ongoing issues.
What does the gallbladder do?
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that sits just under your liver on the upper right side of your abdomen. Its main function is to store and concentrate bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver.
When you eat, particularly foods containing fat, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile through the bile ducts into the small intestine. Bile helps break down and digest fats, and regulates the flow of nutrients into the bowels.
Once the gallbladder has been surgically removed, bile still flows from the liver directly into the small intestine. However, the flow is no longer regulated by the gallbladder’s contractions so it’s continuous instead of occurring mainly at mealtimes.
How does losing your gallbladder affect diet?
For most people, losing the gallbladder doesn’t cause major long-term problems with digestion and nutrition. The liver and other digestive organs take over the tasks of the gallbladder effectively.
However, for some people removal leads to more frequent and looser stools, gas, bloating, indigestion and other transient gastrointestinal symptoms. These issues are most likely to occur after eating foods that are difficult to digest without sufficient bile.
The most problematic foods tend to be fatty, fried or greasy. Removing these from your diet or reducing portions may help improve your tolerance. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can also aid digestion.
Foods to limit or avoid
Here are some of the main types of foods that may be harder to tolerate after gallbladder removal:
- Fatty meats – bacon, sausage, prime rib, chicken wings.
- Fried foods – french fries, fried chicken, onion rings, donuts.
- Greasy foods – chips, pizza, burgers, hot dogs, cheese.
- High fat dairy – whole milk, butter, ice cream, cream.
- Rich desserts – cakes, pies, pastries, chocolate.
- Spicy foods – curries, chili, hot sauce.
- Gas-producing foods – beans, cauliflower, cabbage, carbonated drinks.
- Raw veggies – broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower.
- Dried fruits – raisins, prunes, apricots.
- Fast food meals – burgers, fries, milkshakes.
- Large greasy or creamy meals – steaks with creamy sauce.
Instead of cutting these out altogether, start by limiting portions or how often you eat them. Some people find they can enjoy these treats occasionally without problems. Pay attention to which foods tend to cause symptoms for you.
Better food choices
Focus on eating more of these well-tolerated, gut-friendly foods:
- Lean proteins – chicken, fish, seafood, eggs, tofu.
- Non-fat dairy – low fat milk, yogurt, cheese.
- Fruits – berries, melons, citrus fruits, apples.
- Vegetables – leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes.
- Whole grains – oats, quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat bread.
- Legumes – lentils, split peas, beans.
- Healthy fats – olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds.
- Herbs and spices – replace fatty sauces with herbs.
- Water and herbal teas – stay hydrated.
Choosing lean proteins, produce, whole grains and healthy fats provides balanced nutrition without overloading your system. Their high fiber content also promotes healthy digestion.
Other helpful tips
Making some simple lifestyle changes can further reduce digestive symptoms and make eating without a gallbladder easier:
- Eat smaller, frequent meals – try 4-6 mini meals rather than 3 large ones.
- Chew food very thoroughly to aid digestion.
- Drink fluids between rather than with meals.
- Maintain a healthy weight – obesity stresses the digestive system.
- Exercise regularly to stimulate digestion.
- Avoid medications that can irritate the stomach.
- Manage constipation with fiber-rich foods and stay hydrated.
Supplements that can help
Some supplements are commonly recommended to help compensate for the loss of your gallbladder and improve fat digestion and absorption:
- Bile salts – replace bile salts normally released by the gallbladder.
- Digestive enzymes – improve breakdown of fats, carbs and protein.
- Betaine HCl – increases stomach acid to aid protein digestion.
- Probiotics – support healthy gut bacteria.
- Vitamin B12 – helps digest fat and metabolize food.
Talk to your doctor about whether supplements could be helpful for you. Start with lower doses and increase slowly to find the most effective amount.
Foods to introduce cautiously
After surgery, it’s wise to introduce new foods slowly and limit portion sizes to see how well they are tolerated. Here are some examples of higher risk foods to add back into your diet cautiously:
| Food group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Fatty meats | Bacon, sausage, ribs |
| Fried foods | Fries, doughnuts, hash browns |
| Fast foods | Pizza, burgers, hot dogs |
| Gas-producing foods | Cabbage, cauliflower, carbonated drinks |
| Rich desserts | Cakes, pies, ice cream |
Monitor symptoms after eating these foods. You may find you can handle small amounts or need to continue avoiding them. Everyone is different in terms of food tolerances after gallbladder surgery.
Seeking medical advice
Make sure to talk to your doctor if you experience ongoing digestive problems after surgery. Symptoms like diarrhea, bloating or nausea that don’t improve with dietary changes may need further evaluation.
Let your doctor know about any supplements you are trying for your symptoms. Probiotics and digestive enzymes are generally considered safe, but make sure other supplements will not interact with any medications you take.
See your doctor if you develop symptoms like pain, vomiting, fever or jaundice as these could indicate complications from surgery needing medical attention.
Living without a gallbladder
Having your gallbladder removed is very unlikely to lead to serious nutritional problems or prevent you living a normal healthy life. By making sensible food choices and managing your diet, most people find they can eat a wide variety of foods with minimal issues.
Focus on lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. Limit fatty, fried and greasy foods. Eat smaller, frequent meals and chew your food thoroughly. Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy weight.
Be alert to problem foods that seem to trigger symptoms for you. With time, you’ll learn how your body best tolerates different foods without a gallbladder.
