Diet to Prevent Kidney Stones

What is the Diet to Prevent Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are deposits of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Your risk of developing kidney stones may be greater depending on your diet, your lifestyle, the medicines you take, and whether you have certain medical conditions.

Most people can reduce their chances of developing kidney stones by following the instructions below. Depending on your overall health and the type of kidney stones you tend to develop, your dietitian may give you more specific instructions.

What are tips for following this diet?

Reading food labels

  • Choose foods with “no salt added” or “low-salt” labels. Limit your sodium intake to less than 1500 mg per day.
  • Choose foods with calcium for each meal and snack. Try to eat about 300 mg of calcium at each meal. Foods that contain 200–500 mg of calcium per serving include:
    • 8 oz (237 ml) of milk, fortified nondairy milk, and fortified fruit juice.
    • 8 oz (237 ml) of kefir, yogurt, and soy yogurt.
    • 4 oz (118 ml) of tofu.
    • 1 oz of cheese.
    • 1 cup (300 g) of dried figs.
    • 1 cup (91 g) of cooked broccoli.
    • 1–3 oz can of sardines or mackerel.
  • Most people need 1000 to 1500 mg of calcium each day. Talk to your dietitian about how much calcium is recommended for you.

Shopping

  • Buy plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Most people do not need to avoid fruits and vegetables, even if they contain nutrients that may contribute to kidney stones.
  • When shopping for convenience foods, choose:
    • Whole pieces of fruit.
    • Premade salads with dressing on the side.
    • Low-fat fruit and yogurt smoothies.
  • Avoid buying frozen meals or prepared deli foods.
  • Look for foods with live cultures, such as yogurt and kefir.

Cooking

  • Do notadd salt to food when cooking. Place a salt shaker on the table and allow each person to add his or her own salt to taste.
  • Use vegetable protein, such as beans, textured vegetable protein (TVP), or tofu instead of meat in pasta, casseroles, and soups.

Meal planning

  • Eat less salt, if told by your dietitian. To do this:
    • Avoid eating processed or premade food.
    • Avoid eating fast food.
  • Eat less animal protein, including cheese, meat, poultry, or fish, if told by your dietitian. To do this:
    • Limit the number of times you have meat, poultry, fish, or cheese each week. Eat a diet free of meat at least 2 days a week.
    • Eat only one serving each day of meat, poultry, fish, or seafood.
    • When you prepare animal protein, cut pieces into small portion sizes. For most meat and fish, one serving is about the size of one deck of cards.
  • Eat at least 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day. To do this:
    • Keep fruits and vegetables on hand for snacks.
    • Eat 1 piece of fruit or a handful of berries with breakfast.
    • Have a salad and fruit at lunch.
    • Have two kinds of vegetables at dinner.
  • Limit foods that are high in a substance called oxalate. These include:
    • Spinach.
    • Rhubarb.
    • Beets.
    • Potato chips and french fries.
    • Nuts.

If you regularly take a diuretic medicine, make sure to eat at least 1–2 fruits or vegetables high in potassium each day. These include:

  • Avocado.
  • Banana.
  • Orange, prune, carrot, or tomato juice.
  • Baked potato.
  • Cabbage.
  • Beans and split peas.

General instructions

  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow. This is the most important thing you can do.
  • Talk to your health care provider and dietitian about taking daily supplements. Depending on your health and the cause of your kidney stones, you may be advised:
    • Not to take supplements with vitamin C.
    • To take a calcium supplement.
    • To take a daily probiotic supplement.
    • To take other supplements such as magnesium, fish oil, or vitamin B6.
  • Take all medicines and supplements as told by your health care provider.
  • Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.

Lose weight if told by your health care provider. Work with your dietitian to find strategies and an eating plan that works best for you.

What foods are not recommended?

Limit your intake of the following foods, or as told by your dietitian. Talk to your dietitian about specific foods you should avoid based on the type of kidney stones and your overall health.

Grains

Breads. Bagels. Rolls. Baked goods. Salted crackers. Cereal. Pasta.

Vegetables

Spinach. Rhubarb. Beets. Canned vegetables. Pickles. Olives.

Meats and other protein foods

Nuts. Nut butters. Large portions of meat, poultry, or fish. Salted or cured meats. Deli meats. Hot dogs. Sausages.

Dairy

Cheese.

Beverages

Regular soft drinks. Regular vegetable juice.

Seasonings and other foods

Seasoning blends with salt. Salad dressings. Canned soups. Soy sauce. Ketchup. Barbecue sauce. Canned pasta sauce. Casseroles. Pizza. Lasagna. Frozen meals. Potato chips. French fries.

Summary

  • You can reduce your risk of kidney stones by making changes to your diet.
  • The most important thing you can do is drink enough fluid. You should drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
  • Ask your health care provider or dietitian how much protein from animal sources you should eat each day, and also how much salt and calcium you should have each day.
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