People with gallbladder issues or gallstones should adjust their diet to avoid triggering symptoms, says Dr. Brown. It’s recommended to follow a nutritious, well-balanced diet rich in fiber and to drink an adequate amount of water as this can help ease symptoms, advises Sabrina Oliver, a registered dietitian and senior clinical nutritionist of the Division of Digestive Diseases at New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center.

Read on for some expert recommendations on foods to eat if you have been diagnosed with gallbladder issues.

Lean Meats and Fish

Choose lean cuts of meat and poultry, and trim off any visible fat. Eat no more than 5 to 6.5 ounces of meat a day.

Fish is recommended, especially those with high omega-3 fat such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, says Oliver. When choosing canned fish, avoid those packed in oil.

Instead of frying protein sources in butter or fat, bake, broil or grill them to avoid adding extra fat.

Skim or Low-Fat Dairy Products

Read product labels and choose skim or low-fat dairy products, which include milk, yogurt, cheese, sour cream and frozen desserts. Choose cheeses with less than 5 grams of fat an ounce.

Healthy Fats

Healthy unsaturated fats like olive oil help the gallbladder contract and empty regularly, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Sources of healthy fats include avocado, nuts and nut butter, adds Oliver.

Although foods with healthy fats are recommended, Dr. Brown notes that these should still be consumed in moderation, suggesting a total fat intake of less than 30% of calories as a general guideline, with the option to increase as tolerated.

Fiber

Fiber offers a wide range of health benefits including digestive and gallbladder health. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that men and women eat about 38 and 25 grams of fiber daily, respectively, but most adults only consume about half of that. A higher fiber intake is significantly associated with reduced gallstone disease, according to a 2023 study. Some of the best high-fiber foods include:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains including brown rice, oats and whole wheat bread
• Legumes: beans, lentils and peas

Other Dietary Tips for Gallbladder Disease

Some additional dietary tips for managing gallbladder disease include:

• Understand food labels: Choose low-fat labeled products, avoid food products with fats or oils listed at the top of the ingredient list and consider serving sizes as the nutrition information is based on a serving size
• Eat small frequent meals instead of three large meals
• Use herbs, spices, lemon juice and fat-free sauces to flavor foods
• Limit fats and oils like butter, margarine, mayo and salad dressing to no more than 1 tablespoon per meal
• Replace some or all the fat in homemade baked goods with applesauce, pureed prunes or mashed bananas

Coffee consumption has been associated with a decreased risk of gallstones, says Dr. Brown. Indeed, a 2015 systematic review suggests that coffee consumption, particularly among women, is associated with a decreased risk of gallstones. Further studies are needed to investigate the gender factor in this association as well as the therapeutic effects of coffee’s components and how long coffee has to be consumed for it to work.