Gallbladder Diet: What to Eat and Avoid for Gallstones

Food is more than just fuel, as what you eat can impact every organ in your body. Certain conditions (especially those related to digestion) require you to eat or refrain from eating specific foods. Gallbladder disease and gallbladder removal are serious health concerns that are directly affected by what you eat, so it's important for patients to follow proper dietary guidelines. 

In this article, we’ll highlight foods to incorporate and foods to avoid if you’re struggling with gallbladder-related issues. Remember, working with a healthcare provider like a dietitian is the best way to ensure you get accurate health information and follow the most appropriate diet for your condition. 

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The Link Between Gallstones and Your Diet

Medical nutrition therapy uses a diet-based approach to help reduce symptoms and prevent complications of a wide variety of health concerns. When it comes to gallstones (or cholelithiasis), your diet is extremely important. To understand how diet affects our gallbladder, let’s review the structure and function of this digestive organ. 

The gallbladder is located on the surface of the liver, and it’s responsible for holding digestive fluid called bile. When the gallbladder contracts, it releases bile into the small intestines to help break down fat. These gallbladder contractions are triggered by the hormone cholecystokinin, secreted into the bloodstream after eating fat. Therefore, eating a meal that is high in fat or consuming fat frequently stimulates your gallbladder. Stones are mostly cholesterol and bilirubin and can form when bile remains stagnant and is infrequently released from the gallbladder. 

Gallstones: Causes

While most stones form when bile becomes oversaturated with cholesterol, the exact cause of gallstones is unknown. Several factors increase the risk, including:¹

• Obesity
• Genetics
• Type 2 diabetes
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Rapid weight loss
• Prolonged fasting
• Fat restricted diets
• Bariatric surgery
• Cholesterol medication
• Multiple pregnancies
• Age

Gallstones: Symptoms

Almost two-thirds of patients with gallstones are asymptomatic, meaning they never experience any symptoms. If a stone gets stuck in a duct, you may experience the following:²

• Severe abdominal pain (upper right or center)
• Back and shoulder pain
• Nausea and vomiting

Foods That Promote Your Gallbladder Health

Prevention is always the best path, so if you're at risk for gallstones or have a family history, try focusing on these foods:

1. Fruits

Not only are fruits packed with phytonutrients and fiber, but they are also easy to digest and won’t strain your gallbladder.

2. Vegetables

Fiber can reduce cholesterol and vegetables are the healthiest source of fiber you can find. One systematic review that evaluated over 1.5 million people found that diets high in vegetables lower the risk of gallstones.³

3. Whole Grains

Like vegetables, whole grains are another great source of fiber. High cholesterol is associated with a higher risk of gallstone formation, and eating a nutritious diet high in fiber can help reduce your cholesterol levels.⁴

4. Low-Fat Dairy

If you have already developed gallstones, you want to prevent them from logging into your digestive system's ducts. The best way to do this is to focus on reducing your fat intake. Low-fat dairy products are a good way to get protein and other nutrients while avoiding fat. 

5. Lean Meat

Lean protein like chicken and turkey are better than fattier options like ribeye. 

6. Healthy Fats

If you’ve been diagnosed with gallstones or are suffering from an acute attack, it’s best to keep the gallbladder as inactive as possible (meaning avoid fats that would stimulate gallbladder contractions). On the other hand, if you're trying to optimize your health and prevent gallstones, consuming healthy fats can help. 

Here are our top recommendations for healthy fats:

1. Olive Oil

Olive oil contains healthy monounsaturated fats and has many anti-inflammatory properties. Regular olive oil consumption has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.⁵

2. Nuts and Legumes

Nuts and legumes are high in healthy fat and fiber, making them an excellent choice for supporting overall digestive health. 

<div class="pro-tip"><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href=best-low-carb-vegetables>25 Best Low-Carb Vegetables for Your Diet</a></a>.</div>

Foods That Irritate Your Gallbladder

Eating a balanced diet rich in whole foods is important for all aspects of your health. The risk of gallstones increases with high cholesterol levels, so avoiding foods that can raise your cholesterol is best. While it’s okay to splurge on fried favorites occasionally, fatty foods are not gallbladder-friendly. 

Below are foods that may irritate your gallbladder:

• Ultra-Processed Foods: Chips, hot dogs, fast food, etc
• Fried foods: French fries, funnel cakes, chicken wings, etc
• Refined Carbohydrates: White bread, sugary cereal, traditional pasta, etc.
• Foods High in Sugar: Candy, cakes, ice cream, etc. 
• Foods High in Trans Fats: Microwave popcorn, margarine, cinnamon rolls, etc.

What to Eat After a Gallbladder Removal

If a gallstone gets lodged in one of your bile ducts, you will likely have to get it surgically removed. Before surgery, patients should follow a low-fat diet to prevent the gallbladder from contracting. Like all surgeries, patients should abstain from all food and water at least 12 hours before surgery. 

After gallbladder surgery (also called cholecystectomy), patients should continue to follow a low- to moderate-fat diet (with fat being no more than 30% of the total calories consumed). High-fat foods may cause bloating, gas, and diarrhea while your body adjusts to the changes, so they should be incorporated back into the diet slowly. Instead, focusing on low-fat, high-fiber foods, like vegetables and whole grains, is your best bet. 

How to Prevent Gallstones

Maintaining optimal digestive health (including preventing gallbladder problems) is something we should all be striving for. 

Here are some tips for how to prevent gallstones:

• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of gallstones.
• Stay Active: Regular physical activity not only helps reduce overall cholesterol levels but has also been shown to directly lower the risk of gallstones.⁶
• Focus on Fiber: It’s widely known that most US adults do not consume the recommended amount of fiber, which is believed to contribute to a host of health issues, including gallstones. 
• Avoid Prolonged Fasting: While intermittent fasting is becoming more popular, it has risks. Fasting can increase the risk of gallstones because it prevents the gallbladder from contracting and may cause bile to become more concentrated with cholesterol. 
• Avoid Unhealthy Weight Loss: Rapid weight loss is associated with a high risk of gallstones. If you’re trying to lose weight, remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Aim for a maximum of 1-2lbs per week.

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<div class="pro-tip"><strong>Learn More: </strong><a href=body-reset-diet>Body Reset Diet Uncovered: What It Is, How It Works & Benefits</a>.</div>