Gallstones and Taboo Foods

Everyone has a different experience when they discover they have gallstones.  Some people who have gallstones don't actually experience any symptoms with them.  Other people experience extremely painful episodes, typically triggered by eating a food that requires digestive aide from the gallbladder.  I was one such person. 
When I first discovered that this horribly painful episode I had was the result of gallstones, I was horrified to eat anything with fat in it.  The issue was, I thought that it would be that simple - no fat, no attack.  Unfortunately, I discovered over a series of months that it wasn't quite so easy.  While high-fat foods are a frequent trigger of gallstone attacks, other, seemingly innocent foods can also contribute. 
Here is a list of some foods that I was surprised to find would cause gallstone attacks.  Your own personal triggers may vary, and they also may change as your condition prolongs.  For example, I could eat corn for a month after my diagnosis of gallstones, and beans for 5 months after. 

As mentioned above, Corn - the gallstone is used to aide in digestion, and corn needs all the help it can get!  This also may apply to cornmeal products for some people. 

Cabbage and Bok Choy - this includes anything in the cabbage family (cauliflower, brussel sprouts, etc).  These 'gassy' vegetables are fat-free, but they still can activate the gallbladder.  Watch out for asian dishes such as spring rolls, noodle bowls or stir fries. 

Beans - another 'gassy' offender. These are a great source of lean protien for as long as you are capable of eating them, however some people have a lower tolerance for these earlier on.

Reduced-Fat oil-based products - low-fat margarine, low-fat mayo, low-fat cool whip... sometimes it's not the quantity of fats that matters but the types of fats.  While you may be able to find a low-fat margarine, you may not be able to tolerate the saturated fats. 

Spicy foods - this never affected me, but some people may find a low-tolerance for spicy foods such as salsas, curries, peppers, or even cinnamon! 

Coffee - ...sigh.  This one hurt the most.  Not only can the caffeine content trigger a reaction, but the oils used in the roasting process can as well!  Which means you can try decaf, but don't count on it.

Citrus - high acidity foods can cause issues for some people, which includes citrus fruits. 

Nuts - many people forget nuts have a high fat content - until they get a reaction.  Some nuts are easier to eat than others (macadamia nuts have higher levels of saturated fats while pistachios have lower levels)

It's important to remember, different people can eat different things, and what has been 'safe' for you to eat may change during your experience with gallstones.  It's important to use caution and moderation, and to remember that just because someone could or could not eat something doesn't mean you will have the same experience.