Gallstones form when bile contains too much cholesterol and becomes crystallized. Poor diet, liver damage (such as from hepatitis A), and obesity increase the risk. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, weakness, and appetite loss.
The goal of treatment is to:
- Prevent new gallstones.
- Support liver and gallbladder health.
- Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
Key Dietary Guidelines
1. General Approach
- Choose a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole foods.
- Stay hydrated and avoid overeating.
- Support digestion with fiber-rich foods and probiotics.
2. Foods to Avoid
- Fried & fatty foods – Destroy nutrients, cause weight gain, and increase cholesterol.
- Animal fats & processed meats – Cold cuts, high-fat dairy, and fatty cuts of meat.
- Refined sugars & white flour products – Cakes, pastries, doughnuts, sweetened drinks; they weaken the immune system and slow digestion.
- Whole milk – High in saturated fat and low in nutrients after processing.
3. Recommended Foods
- Fruits (examples/portions):
- Apples, oranges, pears, bananas, mangos, grapes, kiwi, papaya, peaches,
nectarines, tangerines (1 small/medium each). - Blueberries, strawberries, pineapple, cherries, cranberries, watermelon, rhubarb,
raspberries (½–1 cup). - Prunes (3 or ¼ cup stewed), grapefruit (1 medium), melon (⅛).
- Apples, oranges, pears, bananas, mangos, grapes, kiwi, papaya, peaches,
- Dairy substitutes:
- Soy milk (6 oz).
- Nut yogurt with live bacterial cultures.
- Healthy fats (limit to 1 tsp each):
- Olive oil, avocado oil, and flaxseed oil.
- Proteins:
- Eggs (2 medium).
- Tofu (5 oz).
Lifestyle Tips
- Maintain a healthy weight through balanced eating and regular exercise.
- If you are not a vegetarian, choose lean meats. Prefer fish over red meat; avoid farm-
raised fish if possible. - Incorporate organic foods to avoid harmful chemicals.
- Use olive or avocado oil for cooking to lower cholesterol and support liver health.
In summary, a gallstone-friendly diet avoids fried foods, animal fats, and refined sugars, while emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy oils, and probiotics. With proper diet, exercise, and weight management, gallstone risk can be reduced, and liver and gallbladder health supported.
Supported information
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones/eating-diet-nutrition
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/symptoms-causes/syc-20354214
- Balch, James F., Balch, Phyllis A. Prescription of Nutritional Healing
- Haas, Elson M. M.D. Staying Healthy with Nutrition