A high-fat, cholesterol-heavy diet is a recipe for gallstone formation, so it’s essential to reduce the amount of fat you consume, trading fatty, processed foods for whole grains, legumes, and lean meats and fish. To combat gallstones, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease suggests a diet high in fiber and lower in carbohydrates and sugar. In addition, you can keep your gallbladder working properly by eating plenty of healthy fats and avoiding the unhealthy ones that tend to be found in sweets and fried foods.
After all, up to 75% of gallstones are made up of excess cholesterol, which makes cholesterol one of the main culprits to target when trying to minimize the impact of gallstones (via Cleveland Clinic). Because of this, patients with gallstones should avoid butter, cake, cream, and processed meats, like sausage. Deep-fried foods should also be avoided, according to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition. In turn, the study showed that these foods are high in trans fats, which may raise the level of triglycerides in your blood.