The appropriate food after gallbladder removal

The gallbladder is a small organ attached to the liver and it performs the function of storing bile juice coming from the liver which is then released into the small intestine. The bile breaks down food and digests fats which helps in the digestion process. Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder.

Gallbladder removal is a common treatment for the symptoms of gallstones and other gallbladder conditions. This procedure can be performed either laparoscopically using a video camera or via an open surgical technique. Some people may suffer from diarrhea after gallbladder removal and there is a specific diet for those who undergo this procedure.

Fruits and vegetables

• Fruits and vegetables are essential components of a cholecystectomy diet.

• The soluble fibre in sweet potatoes and broccoli can help prevent diarrhea.

• If you find citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit to be too acidic, stick to apples, bananas, avocados, raspberries, strawberries and pineapple.

• Vegetable soups are nutritious and easy to digest, but it may be best to avoid creamy soups.

Milk and dairy products

• Full-fat dairy products can be very difficult for your body to break down, especially while you’re recovering from surgery.

• Low-fat yogurt, dairy-free milk alternatives and some low-fat cheese may be easier to tolerate if eaten in moderation.

• You can also explore dairy-free cheese made with cashews or tofu.

Cereal

• As you begin to return to a regular diet, focus on increasing your fibre intake from whole grains, such as brown rice, high-fibre pasta and barley.

• Toast and crackers can be helpful when you’re recovering from surgery, but you’ll eventually need to replace those made with refined white flour with ones made with whole grains.

• Pizza and other foods made with particularly hard-to-digest flour. You can make a lighter, dairy-free pizza made with flour tortillas, lactose-free cheese alternatives and fresh vegetables.



Protein

• You don’t need a gallbladder to digest protein, so protein-rich foods (lean meat) aren’t likely to cause you problems unless they’re also high in fat.

•Avoid cuts of beef and trim any excess fat from chicken, beef and other meats.

• Nuts, seeds, and nut butters are excellent sources of plant-based protein (although they are also higher in fat).

• Beans, legumes, and soy products are also healthy options for you if they don’t cause digestive symptoms.


Drinks

• You initially need to avoid carbonated drinks in your cholecystectomy diet.

• Over time you can experiment with the types of drinks you can tolerate, although it’s best to avoid those that are high in sugar (including sweetened juices, juice concentrates and soda).

• Milky coffee drinks such as lattes made with whole milk can be very hard to digest.

• Look for low-fat, fat-free or non-dairy options made with soy or almond milk.

• Herbal teas, especially mint can be very soothing to the digestive system, as well as ginger tea, chamomile, hibiscus and fresh turmeric.


Sweets

• Sweets that are high in sugar and trans fats are especially hard to digest.

• There are some good low-fat, non-dairy desserts on grocery store shelves, but watch out for artificial sweeteners like sorbitol, which increase your risk of diarrhea.

Photo: TNS