Diet to prevent kidney stones

Introduction

If you have kidney stones, your doctor or dietitian may talk with you about an eating plan to help prevent new stones. The most common types of kidney stones are calcium and oxalate. Each type may require a different eating plan. There are certain foods you can have, and other foods you should avoid, to reduce the chance that you will get kidney stones again.

Key points

• If you had kidney stones before, you are more likely to get them again. But by following the eating plan your doctor or dietitian suggests, you may prevent new kidney stones.
• Drink plenty of water. The most common cause of kidney stones is not drinking enough fluids, especially water.

What are kidney stones?
Why is it important to pay attention to what you eat and drink?
How can you prevent kidney stones?
Where to go from here

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What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are made of salts and other minerals in the urine that stick together to form small “pebbles.” These stones can form in the kidneys, the ureters (the tubes that lead from the kidneys to the bladder), or the bladder. Stones are usually not a problem as long as they stay in the kidneys, but they may cause sudden, severe pain as they travel from the kidneys to the bladder. They can block the flow of urine and cause bleeding.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Kidney stones that stay in the kidneys usually cause pain.
1. True
   

   The answer is incorrect

   Kidney stones that stay in the kidneys usually don't cause pain. But when they travel from the kidneys to the bladder, they may cause sudden, severe pain.

   
2. False
   

   The answer is correct

   Kidney stones that stay in the kidneys usually don't cause pain. But when they travel from the kidneys to the bladder, they may cause sudden, severe pain.

   

Continue to Why is it important to pay attention to what you eat and drink?
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Why is it important to pay attention to what you eat and drink?

After you have had kidney stones, you are likely to have them again. You can help prevent them by drinking more fluids and eating the right foods. Not drinking enough fluids can cause the minerals and other things in the urine to stick together and form a stone. Too much of some foods can also lead to kidney stones.

Test Your Knowledge

1. What I eat has nothing to do with whether I will get kidney stones.
1. True
   

   The answer is incorrect

   Kidney stones form when there is a change in the normal balance of water, minerals, and other things found in urine. This can happen if you do not get enough fluids or if you eat too much of certain kinds of food, such as animal protein.

   
2. False
   

   The answer is correct

   Kidney stones form when there is a change in the normal balance of water, minerals, and other things found in urine. This can happen if you do not get enough fluids or if you eat too much of certain kinds of food, such as animal protein.

   

Continue to How can you prevent kidney stones?
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How can you prevent kidney stones?

The following tips may lower your chance of getting kidney stones:

• The most important thing you can do is drink more fluids, especially water if your doctor says it is okay. Water helps to wash away the substances in the kidneys that could form stones. Try to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. If you don't already drink that much, slowly increase how much you drink. For example, add one more glass of water each day until you are drinking 8 to 10 glasses a day. This slow increase will give your body time to adjust to the extra fluids. You are drinking enough water when your urine is clear or light yellow. If it is dark yellow, you are not drinking enough fluids.
• If you had a calcium kidney stone, it may help to:
  • Eat less salt and salty foods. One way to do this is to not add salt when you cook or eat. Try removing the salt shaker from your table.
  • Talk to your doctor or dietitian about how much calcium you need every day. Milk, cheese, and yogurt are all good sources of calcium.
• If you had an oxalate kidney stone, your doctor may ask you to limit certain foods that have a lot of oxalate. You don't have to give up these foods, just eat or drink less of them. These include:
  • Coffee, teas, colas, and chocolate.
  • Dark green vegetables, such as spinach.
  • Peanuts.
  • Beets, rhubarb, berries, and cranberries.
  • Beans and tofu.
  • Draft beer.
  • Oranges and sweet potatoes.

If you have had kidney stones in the past, it may also help to:

• Eat a balanced diet that is not too high in animal protein. This includes beef, chicken, pork, fish, and eggs. These foods contain a lot of protein, and too much protein may lead to kidney stones. You don't have to give up these foods. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about how much protein you need and the best way to get it.
• Avoid grapefruit juice.
• Drink lemonade made from real lemons (not lemon flavoring). It is high in citrate, which may help prevent kidney stones.
• Talk to your doctor if you take vitamins or supplements. He or she may want you to limit how much fish liver oil or calcium supplements you take. Also, do not take more than the recommended daily dose of vitamins C and D.

Test Your Knowledge

1. The most common cause of kidney stones is not drinking enough fluids, especially water.
1. True
   

   The answer is correct

   Not drinking enough fluids is a major cause of kidney stones. Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids (water is best) each day. Try to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

   
2. False
   

   The answer is incorrect

   Not drinking enough fluids is a major cause of kidney stones. Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids (water is best) each day. Try to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

   

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Where to go from here

Now that you have read this information, you are ready to follow an eating plan to prevent kidney stones. Your doctor or a dietitian can give you an eating plan that includes more foods you can eat and recipes for preparing them.

If you would like more information on kidney stones, the following resources are available:

Organization

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