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What are the Foods to Avoid with Gallstones?

Marjorie McAtee
Marjorie McAtee

The foods to avoid with gallstones generally include rich, fatty foods and fried foods. That's because the gall bladder is largely responsible for helping the body digest fats. While most physicians believe that diet alone isn't the only thing that contributes to gallstone formation, a rich, fatty diet can make the symptoms of gallstones worse. Specific foods to avoid with gallstones typically include whole-fat dairy products, red meats, fried foods, and any other foods high in animal fats and saturated fats. Refined sugar and spices also may worsen gallstones in some patients.

People who suffer from obesity, as well as those who have recently lost a large amount of weight, may be at an increased risk for gallstones, because these factors may be capable of changing the chemical composition of bile in the gallbladder. Fatty foods are often most likely to exacerbate the symptoms of gallstones, and so are among the foods to avoid with gallstones. Foods high in animal fats and saturated fats can cause cholesterol deposits to form in the gallbladder, leading to gallstone formation. Most physicians recommend avoiding whole-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt, in favor of low-fat or fat-free options.

Full fat dairy products can exacerbate gallstones.
Full fat dairy products can exacerbate gallstones.

Red meat is also generally high in animal fats and saturated fats, and can cause a flare-up of gallbladder pain when eaten. Chocolate may need to be avoided. Fried foods, especially deep-fried foods, are also generally listed among the foods to avoid with gallstones.

People with high blood levels of bad cholesterol, and low blood levels of good cholesterol, may be most likely to form gallstones. Such people often also consume excessive amounts of refined sugar. There may be, therefore, a link between sugar consumption and gallstone symptoms. Some people find that sugary foods make their symptoms worse, so foods that contain refined sugar may also be among those to avoid with gallstones. Strong spices can also cause flare-ups in some patients, though this may not necessarily be true for every patient.

A healthy gallbladder and one with gallstones.
A healthy gallbladder and one with gallstones.

Gallstones themselves may be fairly common, and some experts believe that as many as two in ten people suffer from gallstones. On the other hand, only about one in 100 people experience painful symptoms due to gallstones. These symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, chills, fever, and a stabbing pain in the abdomen, near the liver. Numerous factors may contribute to the development of gallstones, including poor diet and inadequate calorie intake. Once gallstones have developed, dietary changes can often help to mitigate their symptoms, though the specific foods to avoid with gallstones may vary somewhat from patient to patient.

Discussion Comments

Scrbblchick

@Rotergirl: A white diet is one that mostly uses white foods, like white rice, chicken or turkey breast, mashed potatoes, etc. It also means not eating these things with a lot of seasoning or spices.

This diet is also sometimes prescribed to people who have Crohn's Disease because it is less likely to cause an upset stomach.

Obviously, it's not a really healthy diet in the long term, but I'm sure people who are having severe pain, nausea and vomiting are glad to follow it for a little while if it calms down their digestive systems and gives them some relief!

Rotergirl

I've also heard of the "white diet" as a temporary treatment for gallbladder pain. What is it?

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    • Full fat dairy products can exacerbate gallstones.
      Full fat dairy products can exacerbate gallstones.
    • A healthy gallbladder and one with gallstones.
      By: Alila
      A healthy gallbladder and one with gallstones.
    • Whole-fat dairy products should be avoided by anyone who has gallstones.
      By: bibi
      Whole-fat dairy products should be avoided by anyone who has gallstones.
    • Deep-fried foods, such as onion rings, should be avoided by those suffering from gallstones.
      By: JJAVA
      Deep-fried foods, such as onion rings, should be avoided by those suffering from gallstones.
    • People with gallstones often need to avoid chocolate, and can use carob as a substitute.
      By: Marnel Tomić
      People with gallstones often need to avoid chocolate, and can use carob as a substitute.
    • Gallstones consist of hardened masses of bile.
      By: roblan
      Gallstones consist of hardened masses of bile.
    • Red meat should be avoided by people who suffer from gallstones.
      By: kazoka303030
      Red meat should be avoided by people who suffer from gallstones.
    • People with gallstones should avoid fatty foods.
      By: freshidea
      People with gallstones should avoid fatty foods.