Diet for Kidney Stones: Foods to Eat and Avoid

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys when there is a decrease in the urine or also increase in certain substances like minerals and salts. Dietary changes in kidney stone diet can help in kidney stones from preventing from forming.

What is a kidney stone diet?

To avoid a building of kidney stones again to prevent them developing in the first place, people should drink plenty of water, limit the salt part, animal protein and be cautious about taking too much of calcium in supplements.

Foods that May prevent kidney stones

Because as kidney stones vary from person to person, what they are made of so the diet also varies. A person should talk to their doctor about which foods cause stones to help them determine what they should eat or not.

The following are some suggestions on what to include in your diet to avoid kidney stones formation.

• Calcium and oxalate-rich foods

A person should eat foods which are rich in calcium, particularly foods which are higher in oxalate like spinach. Oxalate and calcium bind together in the intestines, which reduces the formation of the stones.

Some of the foods to include in your diet are:

-  Milk-based products

-  Calcium fortified foods, such as cereal, juices and bread

-  Yoghurt with berries

-  Beets on a spinach salad with low-fat cheese

• Fruits and Vegetables

Vegetables and fruits are a necessary part of your diet. You can increase the number of vegetables in their diet which can help easily a person to prevent stone formation. Fruits can be frozen, fresh or they can be dried. Fruits which are rich in citric acid have a positive effect in preventing kidney stones. Get to know the fruits and veggies which have high oxalate content, try to limit them or sure to eat them with the combination of calcium rich foods.

• Water

A person can also include extra water in their diet which can prevent the formation of both uric acid and cystine stones. You can also include other liquids in addition to water. But its a must check the sodium levels in the beverage.

• Plant-based protein

If you take small amounts of protein then they are fine. However, if you intake too much of animal protein in your diet, then it will increase the risk of developing the risk of kidney stones to increase. The examples for plant based protein needs which includes peas, beans and lentils. People should discuss their protein needs with their doctor as well as it will vary from person to person.

Foods to avoid on a kidney stone diet

• Limit Salt

Well, high sodium levels in the body will promote calcium buildup in urine. So, you should avoid using salt in your food plus you should also check labels on processed foods to check how much sodium they contain. Fast foods are high in sodium but so can be regular foods. Wherever you go to a restaurant you can ask them not to add salt in your food. Also, you can take note on what you drink vegetable juices are high in sodium.

• Lower your animal protein intake

There are plenty of sources of protein like chicken, red meat, fish, eggs, poultry does increase the amount of uric acid you produce. Eating large amounts of protein is able to reduce a chemical in the urine which is called citrate. The job of citrate is to prevent the formation of kidney stones, there are alternatives to animal protein which include tofu, quinoa and chia seeds.

• Dont drink colas

You should avoid drinking cola drinks. Cola is basically high in phosphate, which is another chemical which promotes the formation of kidney stones. You just have to reduce the intake of sugar intake. Added sugars that are added to processed foods and added sucrose which will increase the risk of kidney stones. Keep an eye on the amount of sugar you intake such as corn syrup, crystallized fructose, brown rice syrup and cane sugar.

Best tips for a Kidney Stone Diet

If you are suffering from kidney stones then you may have the risk of getting them again unless you actively work to prevent them. If you currently have stones, your doctor will run some tests, to determine what type of kidney stones you have. Tips that will help include:

• Drink citrus juices, like orange juice
• Limit your intake your animal protein
• Avoid foods and drinks which are high in oxalates and phosphates
• Avoid drinking anything which dehydrates you like alcohol
• Eat food rich in calcium-rich food in every meal, at least three times a day

Takeway

Kidney stones are basically painful which makes it difficult for the patient to do the normal parts with ease. A perfect diet can be an effective tool in preventing kidney stones. You can stay hydrated and can also avoid certain foods which are high in salt and sugar. Pairing your food with calcium oxalate rich foods which are important elements of a kidney stone diet.