Jeffrey Salazar
Kidney stones are small, hard deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause extreme pain. They can be prevented and managed through diet and hydration. Doctors recommend drinking plenty of water, around six to eight 8-ounce glasses a day, to prevent kidney stones. In addition to hydration, a diet low in sodium, sugar, and red meat is recommended. Consuming calcium-rich foods can also help prevent kidney stones by binding to oxalates in the body, which are naturally found in many foods and can contribute to stone formation. A dietitian can help individuals make the necessary changes to their diet and lifestyle to prevent kidney stones.
Diet for Kidney Stones
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water Intake | Drink 6-8 8-ounce glasses of water per day (2-3 quarts or 8-12 cups) unless you have kidney failure |
| Other Fluids | Include citrus beverages like lemonade and orange juice; avoid sugary drinks like sweetened juices and sodas, iced tea, grapefruit juice, and alcohol |
| Sodium | Reduce sodium intake; avoid adding salt to food and check sodium levels in processed foods |
| Calcium | Include calcium-rich foods like milk, yoghurt, cheese, calcium-fortified juices, cereals, and some vegetables; if you have calcium oxalate stones, limit foods like beets, chocolate, spinach, rhubarb, tea, and nuts that are rich in oxalate, or combine them with calcium-rich foods |
| Animal Protein | Limit red meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood; small amounts of animal-based proteins are generally safe |
| Vitamins | Include foods high in vitamin D to help absorb calcium; some studies show that high doses of vitamin C supplements may increase the risk of kidney stones |
| Weight | Being overweight increases the risk of kidney stones |
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What You'll Learn
Drink more water
Kidney stones are small, hard deposits that form in the kidneys. They are caused by a decrease in urine or an increase in certain substances, such as minerals and salts. Making adjustments to your diet can help reduce your risk of developing kidney stones.
Drinking enough water is the most important thing you can do to prevent kidney stones. Unless you have kidney failure, healthcare professionals recommend drinking six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. This is equivalent to 2-3 quarts or 8-12 cups. Staying well-hydrated is especially important when engaging in activities that cause excessive sweating, such as heavy exercise, saunas, or hot yoga. Sweating leads to less urine production, allowing stone-causing minerals to settle and deposit in the kidneys and urinary tract.
Drinking extra water dilutes the substances in urine that lead to stones. It is important to note that other fluids can be consumed in addition to water. However, check the sodium levels in these beverages, as many drinks have a high salt content. It is best to avoid sugary drinks, such as sweetened juices and sodas, as well as drinks with high amounts of fructose, sweetened iced tea, and grapefruit juice.
In addition to increasing water intake, it is important to include foods rich in calcium in your diet, especially if you consume high-oxalate foods. Calcium binds with oxalate in the intestines, interrupting the formation of stones. Good sources of calcium include milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, and other types of cheese. Vegetarian sources include legumes, calcium-set tofu, dark green vegetables, seeds, and blackstrap molasses.
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Reduce sodium intake
Sodium is a part of salt and is present in many canned, packaged, and fast foods. It is also found in many condiments, seasonings, and meats. A high-sodium diet can trigger kidney stones because it increases the amount of calcium in your urine. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce sodium intake to prevent kidney stones.
The National Kidney Foundation recommends cutting back on sodium in the diet rather than reducing calcium intake. Current guidelines suggest limiting total daily sodium intake to 2,300 mg. If sodium has contributed to kidney stones in the past, it is best to reduce your daily intake to 1,500 mg. To reduce sodium intake, avoid adding salt to food and check the labels on processed foods to see how much sodium they contain. Many drinks also have a high salt content, so it is important to check the sodium levels in beverages as well.
In addition to reducing sodium intake, it is important to drink enough fluids, mainly water, to prevent kidney stones. Staying hydrated helps to flush out stone-causing minerals from the body. Healthcare professionals recommend drinking six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, unless you have kidney failure. Some sources suggest drinking 2-3 quarts or 8-12 cups of liquid per day to produce a good amount of urine. It is also beneficial to include some citrus beverages, like lemonade and orange juice, as the citrate in these drinks helps block stone formation.
It is also important to note that dietary recommendations for kidney stones vary depending on the type of stone and the individual. It is always best to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the specific diet changes needed to prevent kidney stones.
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Limit animal protein
Limiting Animal Protein
Eating animal protein may increase your chances of developing kidney stones. This is because eating too much animal protein, such as red meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood, can make your body produce more uric acid. It can also reduce the amount of citrate in your system, a substance that helps prevent kidney stones and stops existing ones from growing.
If you are prone to kidney stones, it is recommended that you limit your daily meat intake to a quantity that is no bigger than a pack of playing cards. This is also a heart-healthy portion. However, while limiting animal protein, it is important to ensure that you are still getting enough protein from other sources.
You can swap meat and poultry for vegetarian sources of protein, such as legumes, calcium-set tofu, and seeds. It is also important to note that small amounts of animal-based proteins are generally considered safe to consume.
In addition to limiting animal protein, it is recommended to increase your intake of water and other fluids to prevent kidney stones. This helps to dilute the substances in urine that can lead to stones. Staying hydrated is especially important during exercise or activities that cause excessive sweating, as sweating can lead to decreased urine production, allowing stone-causing minerals to settle and deposit in the kidneys and urinary tract.
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Eat oxalates wisely
Oxalates are naturally found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, grains, legumes, and even chocolate and tea. Some examples of foods that have high levels of oxalate include peanuts, rhubarb, spinach, beets, Swiss chard, chocolate, and sweet potatoes.
If you have already had kidney stones, you may want to reduce or eliminate oxalates from your diet. If you are trying to avoid kidney stones, check with your doctor to determine if limiting these foods is enough.
If you do eat foods containing oxalates, always make sure to eat or drink a calcium source with them. This will help the oxalate bind to the calcium during digestion, before it can reach your kidneys. Good sources of calcium include milk, yoghurt, cottage cheese, and other types of cheese. Vegetarian sources of calcium include legumes, calcium-set tofu, dark green vegetables, seeds, and blackstrap molasses.
If you don’t like the taste of cow’s milk, or if it doesn’t agree with you, try lactose-free milk, fortified soy milk, or goat’s milk. Also, make sure to include foods high in vitamin D each day, as vitamin D helps the body absorb more calcium. Many foods are fortified with this vitamin, and it can also be found in fatty fishes, such as salmon, mushrooms, and cheese.
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Consume calcium-rich foods
Consuming an adequate amount of calcium is essential for preventing kidney stones. While calcium sounds like it would cause calcium stones, it is not the case. In reality, the right amounts of calcium can block other substances in the digestive tract that may lead to the formation of kidney stones.
It is recommended to get your calcium from food sources rather than supplements, as the latter have been linked to kidney stone development. Dairy products like milk, yoghurt, and cheese are excellent sources of calcium. For those who are lactose intolerant or prefer plant-based options, lactose-free milk, fortified soy milk, and goat's milk are good alternatives. Additionally, vegetarian sources of calcium include legumes, calcium-set tofu, dark green vegetables, seeds, and blackstrap molasses.
When consuming calcium, it is important to pair it with vitamin D-rich foods, as this vitamin aids in the absorption of calcium. Fatty fish like salmon, mushrooms, and cheese are good sources of vitamin D.
Furthermore, when eating calcium-rich foods, ensure that you are also consuming enough water. Water helps prevent kidney stones by promoting frequent urination, which reduces the build-up of calcium and other stone-causing minerals. Aim for six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, unless you have kidney failure.
In addition to water, certain foods can help increase your calcium intake while also providing other nutrients beneficial for kidney health. These include:
- Cruciferous vegetables: Vegetables rich in potassium, such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and kale, help decrease calcium loss and prevent kidney stone formation.
- Whole grains: Consuming whole grains contributes to maintaining a healthy weight, which is important for preventing and treating kidney stones.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no single diet plan for kidney stone prevention, but drinking plenty of water is an important aspect of any kidney stone diet. It is recommended to drink 2-3 quarts of liquid or 8-12 cups per day to produce a good amount of urine.
Foods high in oxalate may increase the formation of kidney stones. These include beets, chocolate, spinach, rhubarb, tea, and most nuts. People who form calcium oxalate stones should limit these foods.
Calcium-rich foods can help prevent kidney stones. Good sources of calcium include milk, yoghurt, cottage cheese, and other types of cheese. Vegetarian sources of calcium include legumes, calcium-set tofu, dark green vegetables, seeds, and blackstrap molasses.
Citrus beverages like lemonade and orange juice can help prevent kidney stones. The citrate in these drinks helps block stone formation.
Drinks with high amounts of fructose, such as sweetened juices, sodas, and iced tea, should be avoided. Alcohol should also be limited as it can make uric acid levels in the blood go up.
