Foods to Consume and Avoid for Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are a common health issue that can affect people of all ages. They form when salts and minerals build up inside the kidneys, often due to factors like dehydration, diet, and certain medical conditions. These stones can be extremely painful and, if left untreated, may lead to urinary and kidney problems. There are several types of kidney stones, including calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, struvite, uric acid, and cystine stones. The good news is that you can lower your risk of developing kidney stones by making healthier lifestyle choices. This includes staying hydrated and being mindful of your diet, particularly limiting foods that can trigger stone formation.

List of Foods that Cause Kidney Stones

• High-sodium foods: Eating more sodium, which is an ingredient in salt, raises the quantity of calcium in your urine, thereby increasing your risk of calcium oxalate stones, furthermore as calcium phosphate stones. Reduce fast foods, canned foods, packaged meats, and condiments high in sodium.

• High-oxalate foods: You may limit your intake of high-oxalate foods, especially if you’ve had a calcium oxalate stone. These include spinach, beets, almonds and cashews, ladies’ finger, nuts and nut products, wheat bran, etc.

• Refined sugars: Added or refined sugars can raise your chances of having kidney stones and increase the risk of a heart condition and plenty of other severe conditions. To eliminate or reduce foods and drinks flavoured with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.

• Alcohol: Since alcohol could be a diuretic, it can cause dehydration, increasing your kidney stones risk. Alcohol increases urine production, leading to higher uric acid levels in your blood and urine. An excessive amount of acid can result in the event of uric acid kidney stones. Also, alcohol provides your body with empty calories, which might contribute to weight gain linked to an increased risk of kidney stones. Instead, drink enough water to prevent kidney stones and improve overall health.

Foods to Avoid if You Have Kidney Stones

• Reduce Salt Intake: Excessive salt can increase calcium in the urine, which may contribute to kidney stone formation.
• Limit High-Oxalate Foods (especially if you have calcium oxalate stones):
  • Fruits: Currants, canned fruit salad, strawberries, and Concord grapes.
  • Vegetables: Beets, summer squash, sweet potatoes, and spinach.
• Drinks: Avoid tea and instant coffee, as they can be high in oxalates and contribute to stone formation.
• Other Foods: Tofu, nuts, tomato soup, and chocolate can be high in oxalates and should be limited.

Foods to Avoid If You Have Uric Acid Kidney Stones

• Evade fatty foods such as salad dressings, ice cream, and fried foods.
• Do not consume more than 85 grams or three ounces of meat each day.
• Phosphate promotes the formation of kidney stones.
• Moreover, reduce or eliminate added sugar intake.
• Finally, restrict or avoid caffeine altogether because it drains fluids from your body, causing dehydration.

Diet Plan for Preventing and Managing Kidney Stones

Diet plays a vital role in managing and preventing kidney stones. Confer with your doctor or a dietician to assist you in planning your meals to prevent kidney stones. Kidney stones are recurring unless you are actively working to prevent them. This means taking the prescribed medicines and paying attention to what you eat and drink.

• Drink, at the minimum, 12 glasses of water a day
• Eat citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit
• Eat calcium-rich foods at least three times a day with each meal
• Limit intake of animal protein
• Avoid foods and drinks high in oxalate and phosphate.

Foods and Drinks to Include in Your Diet if You Have Kidney Stones

Certain foods that promote the excretion of calcium ions should be consumed during this time.

Recommended Fluids to Consume When Dealing with Kidney Stones

• Drink adequate fluids, particularly water
• Liquids such as ginger ale, lemon water, and fruit juices (without added sugar and salt)
• Drink enough fluid to urinate at least two litres in 24 hours. Dark urine can point out that your body is not getting sufficient water.

Some foods that are low in oxalates include:

• Grapes
• Melons
• Bananas
• Cucumbers
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Peas
• Cheese
• Milk
• Butter
• Beef

However, consuming excess dairy products and animal protein can attenuate your chances of less common types of kidney stones.

Fruits to Consume During Kidney Stones

Some of the fruits that are low in oxalates and safe to consume include:

• Lemons
• Oranges
• Melons
• Pineapples
• Apples
• Pears
• Avocados
• Mangos
• Apricots
• Plums
• Kiwis
• Melons
• Watermelons

Vegetables to Include in Your Diet When You Have Kidney Stones

Stick to vegetables low in oxalates because they do not increase the risk of stone formation:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Green beans
• Tomatoes
• Cabbage
• Lettuce
• Cucumbers

Calcium-Rich Foods to Help Balance Oxalates in Your Diet:

• Milk
• Cheese
• Yoghurt
• Oysters
• Tofu

Foods that are rich in calcium can prevent the formation of kidney stones. However, it is essential to curb its consumption to three servings per day to evade a less common type of stone.

Frequently Asked Questions