Things you need to know
- Kidney stone diet plan is an effective tool to help alleviate symptoms and offer relief.
- Kidney stones are of four types - calcium oxalate, cystine, uric acid and struvite. Your kidney stone diet changes are dependent on the type of stone you have.
- Consult a dietician to understand your dietary requirements to help avoid the formation of stones.
Foods to avoid with kidney stones
The dietary changes you make when experiencing kidney stones is based on the type and number of stones as well as the severity of your symptoms. You should avoid the consumption of the following list of foods that cause kidney stones:
For calcium oxalate stones
- Nuts
- Beets
- Chocolate
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
- Peanuts
- Sesame seeds
- Sweet potatoes
For uric acid stones
- Organ meats
- Seafood
- Alcohol
- Cauliflower
- Gravy
- Legumes (dried beans and peas)
- Mushrooms
- Oils
- Spinach
For struvite stones
- Peanuts
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
- Wheat bran
For cystine stones
- Salted chips
- Sandwich meats
- Canned soups
- Packaged meals
Kidney stone diet
If you are suffering from kidney stones, you should keep the following elements in mind.
Eat less salt
Increased levels of sodium can lead to a rise in calcium in your urine. Higher levels of calcium elevates your risk of stone formation. You should eat less or no salt if you are suffering from kidney stones.
Eat less food
You should try to avoid overeating if you are suffering from kidney stones as eating more will lead to increased calories as well as more calcium intake.
Drink plenty of fluids
You should aim to drink plenty of fluids, especially water to produce more urine and help flush out the stones. Other fluids include coffee, lemonades and watery fruits and vegetables.
Do not make several dietary changes
While dietary changes are necessary for relieving symptoms of kidney stones, it is important to keep your overall health in mind. Ask your doctor about one or two changes you should make to your diet plan and proceed gradually to avoid side-effects.
Lemons, oranges, watery fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dietary products are some foods to eat with kidney stones.
Broccoli, potatoes, carrots, green beans, tomatoes, kale, cabbage and lettuce are some vegetables you can eat with kidney stones.
Bananas are helpful to eat with kidney stones as they are rich in potassium, vitamin B6 and magnesium and low in oxalates.
