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What is the gallbladder?



 When you think of popular breakfast foods, it’s hard to look past eggs.  Eggs are also rather nutritious, packing lots of protein and choline, which can help in brain functionality. Unfortunately, they’re also rather high in fat, which can present serious problems to people dealing with gallbladder issues, like gallstones.

What is the gallbladder?
The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that sits next to the liver.  It’s main function is to store and concentrate the bile that is produced in the liver.  When fat is consumed in the diet the gallbladder contracts to release bile back into the digestive tract for fat digestion.

What are gallstones?


Gallstones are accumulations of crystals that join together to form stones.  The stones can be composed of cholesterol (the most common), calcium salts, bilirubin or other bile pigments.  They can vary in size from very small (grains of sand or gravel) to as large as a golf ball.  A person can have gallstones and never know they are there.  Other people develop symptoms known as biliary colic or cholecystitis, inflammation of the gallbladder or in people who consume a high-fat, high-sugar, low-fiber diet.

What are the symptoms of biliary colic or cholecystitis?


  • Abdominal pain (often right sided)
  • Back pain or shoulder pain (often right sided)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pain that begins after consuming a fatty meal
  • Pain lasting from 30 minutes to several hours

What is the recommended diet for people with gallstones?

Certain foods are better tolerated by people with gallstones.  In general a low-fat, high vegetable and fruit diet is the best for managing symptoms of gallstones. 

Foods that are recommended for people with gallstones:
  • Beets  for supporting the liver and gallbladder.

  • Cucumber
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Avocado
  • Tomato sauce
  • Salmon, 
  • Grapes 
  • Apples 
  • Blueberries
  • Lemons
  • Pears
  • Coconut
  • Vegetable juices
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Turmeric
  • WATER – 2 liters per day
  • Peppermint tea


Foods that should be avoided:
  • Fried foods
  • Eggs ( up to 95% of patients)
  • Pork
  • Turkey
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Nuts
  • Legumes
  • Dairy (milk, butter, cheese, cream, ice cream)
  • Gluten grains 
  • Coffee 




  • Oranges, grapefruit
  • Chocolate
  • Alcohol
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Carbonated beverages
 Eat several smaller meals throughout the day and focus on consuming greater amounts of fruit and vegetables.  Once you are symptom free and ready to re-introduce dairy and meat products, select low fat options.

Supplements that can support the gallbladder
Omega 3 fish oils – Fish oils reduce the formation of gallstones by enhancing bile flow and cholesterol formation in the bile.  
 A good source of fiber is to mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed into  ½ cup of organic applesauce and consume daily.

Vitamin C – 1,000 mg

Lecithin – 
a phospholipid that reduces the saturation of cholesterol in bile that leads to stone formation.  
Peppermint TEA,  dandelion root & milk thistle.