In France, changes in the incidence of gallstones during the 20 yr following World War II paralleled the changes in total calories, protein and lipid of the diet. The incidence of gallstones in autopsy statistics has been compared to the diets in different countries: France, India, Japan, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden and Uganda. Low calorie, low protein, low lipid intake and vegetable diet are associated with a low incidence of gallstones. A positive correlation between calorie intake and gallstone incidence was found at necropsy for calorie intakes lower than 3000 kcal. In countries with high calorie, high protein and high lipid intakes, such a correlation was not found. A hypocaloric diet associated with a low intake of fat and protein mostly of vegetable origin, and protective against cholelithiasis, is suggested.