The Best Diet if You Suffer from Gallstones

It’s very important to drink 2.5 to 3 liters of water a day and be strict with your diet if you suffer from gallstones because if you take medication and don’t correct your diet, you won’t solve the root problem.
The Best Diet if You Suffer from Gallstones
Eliana Delgado Villanueva

Written and verified by the nutritionist Eliana Delgado Villanueva.

Last update: 27 May, 2022

If you suffer from gallstones, you should follow a diet that mainly consists of low-fat foods. Thus, you’ll have to avoid eating fried foods, oils, and sausages. Instead, you’ll need to increase your consumption of water, fruits, and vegetables.

All this will help reduce symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort during crises, with food being a fundamental component. However, it shouldn’t replace the clinical treatment your doctor prescribed, which may include the use of some medications to relieve your symptoms.

What are gallstones?

Gallstones in a doctor's hand.
Gallstones are hard deposits that can block the bile ducts. Their timely intervention can help avoid health complications.

The manifestation of gallstones is a common problem. Gallstones are solid particles that form in the gallbladder, caused by the crystallization of bile.

The gallbladder is a small organ that, along with the pancreas and the liver, is responsible for producing digestive enzymes and bile to digest fats. Gallstones don’t allow the gallbladder to do its job, thus preventing the easy digestion of all foods.

Others believe that gallstones can be caused by poor eating habits. An excessive consumption of foods rich in fats forces the liver to secrete more bile. This is why it’s important to control what you eat, both to prevent the appearance of gallstones and to relieve your symptoms.

For more information, you should read: What Foods Should You Eat if You Suffer from Gallstones?

Diet for patients who suffer from gallstones

It’s very important to drink 2.5 to 3 liters of water a day and be strict with your diet if you suffer from gallstones, because if you take medication and don’t correct your diet, you won’t solve the root problem.

Establish a fixed schedule of five to six meals, taking into account:

  • No more than four pieces of fruit a day
  • Three main meals and two to three snacks
  • Have breakfast less than an hour after getting up
  • Don’t let more than four to five hours pass between meals
  • If more than three hours pass from dinner to bedtime, you should have a snack (mid-morning or mid-afternoon)

Allowed foods

Different fruits and vegetables.
Maintaining a balanced and healthy diet can support treatment for gallstones. It’s important to limit your consumption of foods high in fat.

You should eat foods rich in water and with little or no fat content, such as:

  • Fruits, except coconut, avocado, and acai berry
  • Vegetables in general, especially cooked ones, since they facilitate digestion
  • Whole grains, such as rice, pasta, and whole wheat bread
  • Low-fat, cooked, or grilled meats, such as skinless chicken, fish, and turkey
  • Water and fruit juices

In addition to consuming these foods, it’s important to grill or steam them because these are the cooking methods that don’t add fats to foods.

Forbidden foods

High-fat foods, such as the following, are forbidden:

  • Whole milk, cottage cheese, and yogurt
  • Yellow cheeses, such as Parmesan
  • Butter and any other animal fats
  • Fatty meats, such as ribs, sausages, or duck or goose meat
  • Offal, such as liver, heart, kidney, or guts
  • Oilseeds, such as walnuts, chestnuts, almonds, and peanuts
  • Chocolate, cookies, puff pastry, meat broth, ready to serve sauces, and mayonnaise
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Sugary products
  • Carbonated beverages

Why is it important to limit your fat intake?

The problem when a person with gallstones ingests fats is because bile is a substance that the gallbladder produces. Its function is to mix with the fats in the intestine to help absorb them. So, if they ingest fats, their gallbladder will be stimulated to release bile and this will cause even more pain and discomfort.

In this regard, it’s important to remember that people with gallstones should consult a nutritionist so that they can get a personalized nutritional plan, according to their needs. Also, it’s important to go to a digestive system surgeon so they can indicate the treatment to follow.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.