What To Expect At Home
You visited your provider or the hospital because you have a kidney stone. You will need to take self-care steps. Which steps you take depend on the type of stone you have, but they may include:
- Drinking extra water and other liquids
- Eating more of some foods and cutting back on other foods
- Taking medicines to help prevent stones
- Taking medicines to help you pass a stone
You may be asked to try to catch your kidney stone. You can do this by collecting all of your urine and straining it. Your provider will tell you how to do this.
Benefits Of Whole Grains For Kidney Stones
Fiber
Perhaps most importantly, whole grains are a better source of fiber than refined grains. Diets adequate in fiber help combat much more than constipation. High fiber diets can help prevent cancer, aging, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and most other chronic conditions.
Most people eat much less fiber than they should. The average fiber intake in the United States is 15 grams per day. This is far below the goal of 25-38 grams per day.
Along with fruits and vegetables, whole grains are an important source of fiber in our diet.
Magnesium
It is well known that magnesium plays an important role in kidney stone prevention. Magnesium inhibits kidney stone formation. And, lower blood levels of magnesium are associated with kidney stones even when magnesium levels are in the normal range.
Whole grains, nuts and seeds are the primary source of magnesium in our diet. Nearly half of Americans are not eating enough magnesium. Completely avoiding whole grains because of the oxalate content also removes magnesium.
Importantly, magnesium supplements have not shown consistent benefit for stone prevention. Try to get enough magnesium through healthy foods.
Phytate
Phytate , is compound found in many plant foods. It is known for being an anti-nutrient because it blocks the absorption of some important nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and zinc.
However, phytate has many health benefits! It is an antioxidant and likely plays a role in stopping kidney stones from forming.
Eat Less Animal Protein
Many Americans eat more animal protein than they need, which can lead to the development of kidney stones. Our doctors recommend that you limit the amount of animal-based protein you eat to six to eight ounces of beef, pork, poultry, or fish per day. Eight ounces is about the size of two decks of cards. In addition, eating more fruits and vegetables can help to prevent stones from returning.
Read Also: Can You Have 4 Kidneys
What Can You Eat To Prevent Kidney Stones
You now know which foods to avoid, but what should you eat to prevent kidney stones?
In addition to a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle habits , we recommend drinking at least 3 liters of water a day.
Usually 2 liters is recommended, but if kidney stones are already present this amount should be increased.
If you drink 3 liters of water a day, you will produce 2 liters of urine. In this way, the deposits and residues can be better discharged through the urine.
If you get bored with so much water, you can combine it with teas and natural juices. This is how you supply your organism with important nutrients.
But be careful: Coffee, alcohol and soft drinks are not included in the fluid consumption of 2-3 liters of water.
What Harms The Kidneys
Foods rich in animal protein are not suggested if you have kidney problems, as a diet high in protein can aggravate these conditions. Avoid eating meat, eggs, dairy, and other animal protein sources. Metabolizing the proteins causes the kidneys to enlarge and adds stress to other organs.
Uric acid is a toxic substance that accumulates in the body. This harmful substance can cause damage to the kidneys as well as other organs. Blending and drinking a cup of cranberries with water and lemon juice cleanses the kidneys of uric acid.
Don’t Miss: Does Pop Cause Kidney Stones
Tips For Kidney Stone Prevention
According to recent studies, the prevalence of kidney stones is on the rise. In fact, one in ten of us will have a kidney stone in our lifetime. The actual cause of kidney stones varies, however certain risk factors can make developing one more likely. So how can we reduce our chances of developing a kidney stone? Its easier than you might think!
Kidney stones form when there is a build-up of minerals and salts inside the kidney. Tiny stones can move out of the body in the urine without causing too much pain but larger stones that dont move can cause severe pain. Stones can often form if the urine becomes very concentrated as this causes minerals to crystalize and stick together.
Treatment for kidney stones varies depending on their severity. Although it can be incredibly painful to pass a kidney stone, they usually dont cause permanent damage. Often treatment involves strong pain medication and plenty of water to flush the kidneys and help you pass the stone. Sometimes medication is given to help pass the stone. In severe cases where the stones are larger and cannot pass naturally, sound wave therapy or even surgery may be used to remove the stones.
Here are 5 tips that can help prevent you from developing painful kidney stones:
Foods That Contain Calcium Oxalate:
According to vets and doctors, calcium Oxalate is the leading cause of kidney and bladder stones in humans and pets. Calcium is a healthy ingredient and having tons of health benefits, but overeating can lead to kidney and bladder stones. If your dog has stones history, then feed them less-acidic and more dilute urine diet.
For Example Wheat germ, sweet potatoes, beans, and soy products spinach, Rhubarb, Grits, Beets, Almonds and cashews, Okra, etc.
Recommended Reading: Does Carbonation Cause Kidney Stones
Foods That Can Cause Kidney Stones
- May 19, 2021February 24, 2021
Kidney stones can go unnoticed for years if they remain small. However, in many individuals, they cause considerable pain and temporary disability. What causes these agonizing formations, and how can you prevent and treat them?
Some of the answers may lie in your diet. Here are ten foods that can cause kidney stones and an overview of this condition with your treatment options.
What Can I Do To Prevent Kidney Stones
Since your habits are a common contributor to kidney stones, you can reduce your risk of kidney stone by changing your habits for the better.
If youre overweight or obese, Dr. Herman will likely recommend losing excess weight. Overall, its a good idea to eat a healthier diet and drink more water, enough to pass clear or mostly clear urine. However, its also important to pay special attention to which foods are high in oxalate, which can lead to kidney stone formation. We can help you follow a diet plan that leaves you feeling full and satisfied while avoiding foods that increase your risk.
To get help preventing or treating kidney stones make an appointment with Dr. Herman at the Urology Center of Florida today.
You Might Also Enjoy…
- 4.74/5
You May Like: Can You Have 4 Kidneys
What Are Kidney Stones
A kidney stone normally begins as a small crystal-like material and it gradually builds up into a larger, solid mass. Urine normally contains chemicals that inhibit the crystals from forming. Or, if crystals remain small enough they can travel through the urinary tract and pass out of the body without being noticed. However, when crystals combine together to form a kidney stone, it can stick to the lining of the kidney or settle in an area where urine cannot carry it out of the body.
General Food Guidelines To Prevent Kidney Stones
- Irrespective of the type of salt, drink plenty of water as it helps in eliminating the salts. You can also add beverages such as coffee and lemonade as it increases the volume of urine.
- Increase the intake of calcium in the diet and avoid overeating of calcium supplements. Calcium-rich foods should be given preference over calcium supplements.
- Eat proteins in moderation.
- Avoid high salt intake.
- Avoid excess Vitamin C supplements.
Kidney stones can be very much prevented with proper intake of diet and a high amount of fluids. Animal proteins are a strict no-no as it disturbs the normal salt balance causing deposition of salts.
As a thumb rule, increase water intake and reduce the amount of animal proteins . Watch on the quantity of sodium, calcium, sugary, and processed food as it increases the formation of kidney stones.
If you have had a stone, it is important to keep a check to avoid stone development in the future.
There are healthy alternatives to animal proteins to prevent kidney stones. Avoid an oxalate-rich diet as calcium oxalate stones fall under the most common type of kidney stone salt.
So, friends, we hope that after going through the above list of Foods that Cause Kidney Stones will surely help you. Eat right and stay active for good health!
Also Check: Is Almond Milk Bad For Your Kidneys
Red Meat And Animal Protein
Animal-based protein and fat are associated with the formation of kidney stones and kidney damage. This is why a study published in The Journal of Urology suggests that its consumption should be limited or avoided if you have kidney stones.
This food is also high in uric acid and purines. When these levels are too high, you can get gout or kidney stones. To a lesser extent, we recommend limiting your consumption of other meats such as chicken and fish.
What Is A Kidney Stone
The formation of hard deposits in the kidneys that travel through the urinary tract to exit the body is called kidney stones. The process can be really painful and is known as the passing of kidney stones. They occur when salts and minerals like calcium oxalate crystallize in the kidneys and form hard stones. It is calculi or urolithiasis.
Before knowing all about what food causes kidney stones, lets take a quick look at the causes and symptoms of kidney stones.
You May Like: Is Honey Good For Kidney
The Link Between Kidney Stones And Your Diet
Kidney stones send millions of people to the emergency room each year. The lifetime risk of kidney stones is higher in men than women, but there has been an overall increase of cases across the board over the years.
While there are many factors that contribute to kidney stones, theyre usually within your control. Eating the right diet is one of the most reliable ways to prevent kidney stones.
Kidney stones can be painful, but an experienced and caring medical team can help you manage them and prevent future incidents. Drs. Craig Herman, Steven Kester and the staff at Urology Center of Florida have been helping patients like you in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Greater South Florida for years.
When To Avoid Oxalate & Vitamin C
Limit the oxalate in your diet if you are at risk for calcium oxalate stones. Foods high in oxalate can increase levels in the urine. When oxalate combines with calcium, calcium oxalate stones are formed. High-oxalate foods include spinach, beets, rhubarb, nuts, wheat bran, buckwheat and chocolate. There is also some evidence that doses vitamin C or ascorbic acid supplements greater than 2,000 mg may increase stone formation in those who are at risk.
Fluid intake is extremely important for those with kidney stones. Fluids dilute the urine and reduce the concentration of minerals that form stones. Choosing the right fluids is key. Some research shows that certain fluids, such as dark colas, contain phosphoric acid and may increase your risk for kidney stones. Soda intake in general is associated with weight gain, which also increases the risk for kidney stones. Avoid sodas altogether to help reduce recurrence of stones. Drink mostly water and aim to consume between eight to 12 cups of fluid per day to help prevent all types of kidney stones.
Also Check: Can You Have 4 Kidneys
Reduce Intake Of Salt
Salt is rich in sodium, and high sodium levels cause calcium buildup in the urine. Increased sodium levels cause a proportionate increase in the calcium levels the calcium and the oxalates in the body get deposited to form stones. When buying canned food, check the label for the amount of sodium.
Avoid excess intake of salt in your food. The foods that are rich in salt are French Fries, canned soups, packaged meats, etc. Processed food also contains phosphorus, another ingredient that can cause kidney stones.
Tips For A Kidney Stone Diet
Having kidney stones increases your risk of getting them again unless you actively work to prevent them. This means taking medications prescribed to you for this purpose, and watching what you eat and drink.
If you currently have stones, your doctor will run diagnostic tests, to determine what type you have. They will then prescribe a specific diet plan for you, such as the DASH Diet. Tips that will help include:
- drink at least twelve glasses of water daily
- drink citrus juices, such as orange juice
- eat a calcium-rich food at each meal, at least three times a day
- limit your intake of animal protein
- eat less salt, added sugar, and products containing high fructose corn syrup
- avoid foods and drinks high in oxalates and phosphates
- avoid eating or drinking anything which dehydrates you, such as alcohol.
Don’t Miss: Does Kidney Infection Cause Diarrhea
Tips For Finding Low Oxalate Bread Good For Kidney Stones
It is nearly impossible to know exactly how much oxalate is in commercial breads. Unless we have the exact recipe , it is impossible to calculate exact oxalate counts.
But, you can do your homework and try to find a healthy bread lower in oxalate while balancing the need for fiber and good nutrition!
Kidney Stone Types Affect How You Should Eat
Calcium forms about 80 percent of kidney stones mostly calcium oxalate and sometimes calcium phosphate. Following is dietary advice for cutting risk of various types of kidney stones:
Calcium Oxalate and Calcium Phosphate Stones
- Drink plenty of water: Most health care professionals recommend drinking six to eight standard 8-ounce cups a day. Water helps dilute the substances in urine that lead to kidney stones.
- Reduce sodium: Your chances of developing kidney stones rise with high sodium consumption. Sodium is a part of salt and lurks in canned, packaged, and fast foods. Its also found in many condiments, seasonings, and meats.
- Limit animal protein: Eating animal protein can increase the likelihood of developing kidney stones. Your doctor may tell you to limit beef, chicken, pork, eggs, fish, shellfish, milk, cheese, and dairy products. To stay healthy, talk with her about replacing some meat and animal protein with plant-based foods high in protein like beans, dried peas, and lentils.
- Get enough calcium from foods: Despite what you might think, calcium is not the culprit that causes calcium stones. In the digestive tract, calcium can block substances that can cause stones. Ask your health care provider how much calcium you need, and which foods are the best source for you.
Talk with your health care provider to determine the type of kidney stones you have and follow her diet tips to keep you healthy and pain free.
Also Check: Which System Do Kidneys Belong To
It’s Not One And Done
Passing a kidney stone is often described as one of the most painful experiences a person can have, but unfortunately, it’s not always a one-time event. Studies have shown that having even one stone greatly increases your chances of having another. “Most people will want to do anything they can to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” said Dr. Jhagroo. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be the case that people make the changes they need to after their first stone event.”
Research conducted by Dr. Jhagroo shows that those with kidney stones do not always heed the advice of their nephrologists and urinary specialists. About 15% of kidney stone patients didn’t take prescribed medications and 41% did not follow the nutritional advice that would keep stones from recurring. Without the right medications and diet adjustments, stones can come back, and recurring kidney stones also could be an indicator of other problems, including kidney disease.
What Causes Kidney Stones
Though your urine normally contains some solid waste materials, theres usually enough liquid to dilute them, so you can pass them easily. However, if your urine contains too high a proportion of crystal-forming materials, like minerals and salts they may clump together and form kidney stones.
Calcium stones are the most common of kidney stones, but there are also struvite, uric acid and cystine stones. This results in the painful, burning sensation that often signals you have a kidney stone. It can also mean darker, cloudy, or foul smelling urine, pain in the lower abdomen and groin, and nausea and vomiting.
Many factors can contribute to getting kidney stones, including dehydration, family history, obesity, medical conditions , overuse of various supplements and medications , and diet.
Also Check: Is Honey Good For The Kidneys
Diet And Calcium Stones
Follow these guidelines if you have calcium kidney stones:
- Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water.
- Eat less salt. Chinese and Mexican food, tomato juice, regular canned foods, and processed foods are often high in salt. Look for low-salt or unsalted products.
- Have only 2 or 3 servings a day of foods with a lot of calcium, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, oysters, and tofu.
- Eat lemons or oranges, or drink fresh lemonade. Citrate in these foods prevents stones from forming.
- Limit how much protein you eat. Choose lean meats.
- Eat a low-fat diet.
Do not take extra calcium or vitamin D, unless the provider who is treating your kidney stones recommends it.
- Watch out for antacids that contain extra calcium. Ask your provider which antacids are safe for you to take.
- Your body still needs the normal amount of calcium you get from your daily diet. Limiting calcium may actually increase the chance that stones will form.
Ask your provider before taking vitamin C or fish oil. They may be harmful to you.
If your provider says you have calcium oxalate stones, you may also need to limit foods that are high in oxalate. These foods include:
- Fruits: rhubarb, currants, canned fruit salad, strawberries, and Concord grapes
- Vegetables: beets, leeks, summer squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, and tomato soup
- Drinks: tea and instant coffee
- Other foods: grits, tofu, nuts, and chocolate