7-day gallbladder diet menu | Dietitian-approved

Key Points

• A gallbladder-friendly diet is typically a low-fat diet
• Following a low-fat diet and eating small amounts of food at a time can help during gallbladder attacks or flare-ups, and after gallbladder surgery
• A registered dietitian can personalize your diet plan to fit your life and food preferences

A gallbladder attack isn't just painful, it's a clear signal that your digestive system needs support. If you've been diagnosed with gallbladder disease or are dealing with gallstones, you've likely received general dietary advice from your doctor.

But translating medical guidelines like "eat low-fat foods" into actual meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and those satisfying snacks can feel overwhelming.

About the gallbladder

We don’t usually think about our gallbladder until it starts to hurt. But this tiny little organ that’s found just below the liver plays an important role in digestion. It stores and releases bile, a fluid produced by the liver that aids in digestion, particularly the breakdown of fats.

When something goes wrong with the gallbladder, like gallstones or inflammation, it can slow or block the flow of bile. This can cause digestive problems, especially after eating fatty foods. You might feel bloated, uncomfortable, or even in pain.

Who is at risk for gallbladder problems?

While anyone can develop issues with their gallbladder, some people are more at risk. Here are some known risk factors for gallbladder-related health problems:

• Women: Higher risk due to estrogen from pregnancy, birth control, or hormone therapy
• Age over 40: The risk of gallstones increases with age
• Obesity: Excess weight is linked to higher cholesterol levels in bile
• Rapid weight loss: Fast changes in weight can trigger excess cholesterol in the bile
• Family history: Genetics may play a role
• Ethnicity: Higher risk among Native Americans
• Diabetes: The chronic condition is associated with high triglyceride levels
• Poor diet: High in saturated fat, low in fiber

Experienced Registered Dietitian, Rita Faycurry, RD, says, “If you’re experiencing a sharp pain in your upper right abdomen, nausea, vomiting, bloating, gas, or diarrhea after eating fatty foods, talk to a healthcare provider. Additionally, a gallbladder-friendly diet can help offer some relief from symptoms and support better digestion.”

The gallbladder diet: At a glance

The gallbladder diet is typically a low-fat, high-fiber diet because, without a functioning gallbladder or when gallstones are present, the bile produced by the liver no longer has a storage site.

As a result, when you consume fatty foods, your body may struggle to digest them properly, which can lead to symptoms such as bloating, nausea, or abdominal pain.

In general, the recommendations for a gallbladder diet are to:

Avoid

• High-fat dairy, including egg yolks. Fried food, ultraprocessed foods, fatty cuts of meat, baked goods, creamy sauces, and salad dressings
• Fruits high in fat, like coconut and avocado
• “Oily fish” like tuna, salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel
• Uncooked vegetables
• White bread, highly processed breads, and breads made with refined flour and lots of butter, like croissants, scones, and biscuits
• Sugary drinks like soda and fruit juice

Eat

• Leafy greens, berries, apples, carrots, bell peppers
• Lean protein like skinless chicken breast, turkey breast, white fish, lentils, chickpeas, and beans
• Whole fruits and vegetables: steamed or fresh veggies
• Low-fat or fat-free dairy
• Egg whites
• Herbs, dried spices, lemon, and lime for flavor
• Whole grain or whole wheat bread
• Small or moderate portions of food at a time

This gallbladder diet menu is not a recommendation. It serves as an example of what you can eat on a gallbladder diet plan.

Each person’s body may respond differently to certain foods. For example, some people are sensitive to garlic, while others are not. Some individuals can tolerate low amounts of caffeine, while others cannot. Tomatoes may or may not be tolerated, and it all depends on your body.

If you are experiencing gallbladder-related pain or are recovering from gallbladder surgery, reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance.

Now, let’s look at how we can combine these in various ways to make meals with flavor and taste.

Sample 7-day gallbladder diet menu

Day 1

• Breakfast: Scrambled egg whites and whole-grain toast, with a side of strawberries
• Lunch: Chicken soup with a bit of rice and vegetables like cooked carrots and beans
• Dinner: Grilled fish with a side of cubed, lightly seasoned, and baked sweet potatoes
• Snacks: Carrot and celery sticks dipped in low-fat hummus

Day 2

• Breakfast: A bowl of steel-cut oats with a dash of cinnamon, a spoonful of flaxseed powder, and blueberries
• Lunch: Grilled chicken with a little brown rice, a dollop of fat-free sour cream, and some steamed broccoli (try seasoning the grilled chicken with a simple spice rub, depending on how spices affect you)
• Dinner: Stir-fried turkey with vegetables, such as bell peppers and zucchini, served with brown rice. For a little more flavor, consider adding some low-sodium chicken broth to the rice when cooking it. Optional: for dessert, try a blanched pear drizzled with honey
• Snacks: A cup of fat-free yogurt (unflavored) with a spoonful of granola

Day 3

• Breakfast: Egg white omelet with chives, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, with a side of apple slices
• Lunch: Grilled panini sandwich with smoked chicken breast, a slice of tomato, and a little basil
• Dinner: Pan-fried tilapia (without butter or oil, using a non-stick pan) with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and a dash of low-fat sour cream (no full cream or butter)
• Snacks: Air-popped popcorn without butter

Day 4

• Breakfast: Smoothie with banana, strawberries, a little flaxseed powder, and ice. You could add a plant-based milk or low-fat milk of your choice. If you need it to be a little sweeter, consider a spoonful of honey
• Lunch: Fish tacos made with whole-wheat tortillas and a small serving of pico de gallo (made with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime). Omit the onions if they are a trigger food. Top the tacos with a bit of low-fat sour cream or low-fat cottage cheese.
• Dinner: White bean and spinach bowl. Use cannellini beans, diced tomatoes (if your body tolerates them), and season with fresh basil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Serve it with brown rice or quinoa
• Snacks: A fresh pear or apple with a bit of low-fat cottage cheese

Day 5

• Breakfast: Egg-white omelet with spinach and a little low-fat cheese
• Lunch: Asian-inspired rice noodle soup. Use low-fat noodles, such as rice noodles or vermicelli. Avoid instant noodles as they are highly processed. Boil small chunks of skinless chicken breast in low-sodium chicken broth. Add carrots, spinach (or bok choy), and small broccoli florets, a dash of low-sodium soy sauce, ginger powder, and garlic powder. Chop the green part of spring onions and add as a garnish. You can also squeeze a slice of lemon before you eat for a burst of flavor
• Dinner: Chickpea curry over rice. You can use canned chickpeas for a faster cooking time. Add carrots, bell peppers, a few cauliflower florets, and a small amount of low-sodium vegetable broth for added flavor. Season with cumin powder, coriander powder, and ginger powder. If you prefer, consider using a pre-mixed curry powder
• Snacks: Air-popped popcorn mixed with unsweetened dried cranberries

Day 6

• Breakfast: Steel-cut oatmeal with a diced apple and a dash of vanilla extract (no added sugar)
• Lunch: Three-bean chili with kidney, pinto, and black beans. Add diced tomatoes (if your body can handle them), carrots, and bell peppers. Season mildly with a bit of paprika and cumin (you can add any other spices your body can tolerate), and serve over brown rice
• Dinner: Lemon and herb chicken breast with baked vegetables. Marinate a chicken breast in lemon juice, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper (you can add or substitute these with other preferred spices). Steam your veggies and make brown rice while your chicken bakes
• Snacks: Steamed carrot sticks with fat-free cream cheese

Day 7

• Breakfast: Berry smoothie bowl. Blend frozen banana, strawberries, blueberries, yogurt, and skim milk until it’s thick and creamy like soft-serve ice cream. Pour into a bowl and arrange your choice of toppings on top. Suggestions for toppings include low-fat granola, ground flaxseed, and sliced kiwi
• Lunch: Turkey (or tofu) skewer with vegetables. Cube the turkey or tofu, and thread it onto skewers, adding chunky bell peppers and cherry tomatoes in between. Grill or broil after seasoning with dried herbs of your choice, lemon juice, and garlic powder
• Dinner: Breakfast for dinner—veggie scramble. Egg white scramble with spinach, mushrooms, low-fat cottage cheese, and a slice of whole-grain toast (optional). Add a small bowl of red or green grapes on the side, if you wish
• Snacks: Rice cakes topped with mashed banana and a sprinkle of cinnamon

How to switch to a gallbladder diet?

Transitioning to a gallbladder-friendly diet can feel overwhelming, especially when it touches so many parts of daily life. It's completely normal to have questions, concerns, and even some frustration as you adjust to this new situation.

You may wonder:

• Will I ever be able to enjoy my favorite foods again?
• How do I manage meals during travel or social gatherings?
• Is dining out off-limits now?
• How to stop food cravings for the high-fat foods you once loved?

These are common concerns. The good news is that with thoughtful planning and guidance, many people find satisfying ways to enjoy meals while supporting their digestive health.

The importance of personalized nutrition

While general guidelines, like a 7-day gallbladder diet plan, provide a helpful starting point, they may not address individual needs, such as:

• Personal food preferences and cultural dietary practices
• Specific food sensitivities or allergies
• Lifestyle factors, including work schedules and activity levels
• Other underlying health issues, nutritional deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances like diabetes, PCOS, menopause, thyroid issues, weight-related conditions, and others

A registered dietitian can work with you to develop a customized eating plan that considers these factors, ensuring your diet is both enjoyable and supportive of your health goals.

Reintroducing fats: a gradual approach

Says Faycurry, RD, “You don’t have to eliminate all fats forever, particularly after your gallbladder is removed. After gallbladder surgery, it's best to limit fat intake at first to give your digestive system time to adjust. Over time, healthy fats, such as those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil, can be reintroduced in moderation. It all depends on how your body responds to these foods.”

Monitoring your body’s responses and working with a doctor and a registered dietitian can help guide this process. Registered dietitian nutritionists often work closely with healthcare providers to accommodate treatment plans for gallbladder-related problems.

Moving forward

Embracing a gallbladder-friendly diet is a journey, not a one-size-fits-all solution. With patience, support, and personalized guidance, you can navigate this transition successfully and continue to enjoy a diverse and satisfying diet.

Switching to a gallbladder diet can be challenging; a registered dietitian can help you navigate this change.

Get a custom gallbladder diet plan from a registered dietitian who accepts your insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I eat scrambled eggs on a gallbladder diet?

Generally, scrambled eggs made with egg whites are suitable for consumption on a gallbladder diet. Egg yolks, however, are high in fat and could be hard to digest with gallbladder issues or after gallbladder removal. Please consult a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for personalized guidance on introducing fat into a gallbladder-friendly diet slowly and under medical supervision.

Is peanut butter okay on a gallbladder diet?

Peanut butter is a source of healthy fats and nutrients; however, due to its high fat content, not everyone can digest it effectively. Some people may tolerate moderate amounts of peanut butter even with gallstones or after gallstone surgery, but others may not. A registered dietitian can help you navigate a gallbladder diet, help you identify trigger foods, and minimize digestive problems on a gallbladder diet.

Can I drink coffee without a gallbladder?

According to Faycurry, RD, “Caffeine is known to increase the amount of acid in your stomach, which can aggravate the gut and cause bloating, gas, and pain after gallbladder removal or during a gallbladder attack. It’s best to reduce your coffee intake right after gallbladder surgery. If your body tolerates it, you may be able to reintroduce it gradually and have it in moderation after a while.”

Are cucumbers safe on a gallbladder diet?

There are mixed opinions about whether you can eat cucumbers on a gallbladder diet. This is because cucumbers contain cucurbitacin. This chemical can cause indigestion, including gas, bloating, stomach pain, and even diarrhea in some people. However, each person’s body is different. Some people enjoy their cucumbers even on a gallbladder diet, but others find them hard to digest. Ultimately, it all depends on how each body responds to cucumbers.

Create a gallbladder-friendly plan tailored to your needs. Find a registered dietitian covered by your insurance.

The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.