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What are the Best and Worst Foods for Kidney Stones?

Ann Olson
Ann Olson

In general, the best foods for kidney stones are foods that have low sodium and calcium contents; this is a broad category, but it typically includes most types of vegetables and lean meat. The worst foods, by contrast, include most berries, beans, and dark leafy greens. A lot also depends on what caused the stones in the first place. There are typically two broad types of kidney stones: those formed by calcium oxalate, and those formed by calcium phosphate. Both have nearly identical symptoms, but they can respond differently to different foods, and as such may require different diets. Getting an accurate diagnosis is one of the best places for people to start. Once the stone type has been identified, the patient’s care provider should be able to make more personalized recommendations.

Importance of an Accurate Diagnosis

Kidney stones next to a ruler to show the size.
Kidney stones next to a ruler to show the size.

What kidney stone patients are allowed to or advised to eat is often determined by the chemical composition of the stone itself. In nearly all cases, these sorts of buildups are caused by calcium. How that calcium solidifies often determines how it will respond to different elements in the blood, which in turn can help shape an effective diet — either for stone reduction or prevention.

Reducing Sodium

Cranberry juice can help reduce water retention.
Cranberry juice can help reduce water retention.

Doctors often begin by recommending that patients avoid or at least reduce sodium in their diets. Sodium, also known more casually as salt, is often responsible for calcium buildups in the body. These buildups can cause stones to form where none were before, and can also make existing masses worse.

Processed or canned foods are some of the biggest sources of sodium. For example, a 6 inch (15.2 centimeter) hot dog can contain up to 1,046 milligrams of sodium, which is nearly half of the daily sodium intake recommended by most nutritionists. One of the best ways for a person to limit sodium is to avoid eating out or purchasing pre-made meals. Sometimes restaurants may add salt to enhance the flavor of certain foods or meals, but this can put a person over his daily sodium requirement. Cooking meals at home and avoiding the use of salt is one of the best ways to keep track of exactly how much is being consumed.

Precautions for Oxalate Stones

A kidney with a kidney stone.
A kidney with a kidney stone.

As for specific recommendations, food allowances vary. Good foods for kidney stones caused by calcium oxalate include most vegetables and meats like pork and lean beef, which should be eaten daily to improve overall health. There are a handful of foods that are bad for people prone to this type of kidney stones, however. Peanuts, beans and legumes, most berries, grapes, dark leafy vegetables, soy products, and citrus fruits are just some of the foods these people should usually avoid.

Calcium Phosphate-Specific Recommendations

Hot dogs are bad for those with kidney stones.
Hot dogs are bad for those with kidney stones.

People with calcium phosphate stones are usually able to enjoy a few more dietary freedoms. The goal here is usually to limit calcium intake so that the risk for kidney stones is low. Good foods for kidney stones include low-calcium foods and dairy alternatives, such as rice milk, which can be consumed daily. Avoiding milk, cheese, and yogurt is usually recommended. The plus side is that many dairy alternatives contain additional nutrients; the down side is that some may also contain higher than average sodium levels.

Drinking water helps alleviate dehydration and may prevent the development of kidney stones.
Drinking water helps alleviate dehydration and may prevent the development of kidney stones.

It is important that a person with this type of stone not completely eliminate calcium from his diet, however. Calcium is still essential for bone strength and the prevention of osteoporosis, especially for women. Dairy products can be consumed occasionally, as long as they meet the calcium restriction guidelines given by a nutritionist or medical doctor. People with calcium phosphate-specific kidney stones can usually also still enjoy other “off-limit” foods from time to time, so long as they are consumed in moderation.

Hydration and Common Pitfalls

A person with calcium-specific kidney stones should replace dairy in their diet with an alternative, such as soy.
A person with calcium-specific kidney stones should replace dairy in their diet with an alternative, such as soy.

Although it is not an actual food recommendation, hydration also plays a key role when it comes to kidney stones of any type. Water is an inexpensive way to stay hydrated throughout the day; flavored water and certain juices can also help. Not all beverages are good for kidney stones, however, especially if a person has a calcium oxalate stone. Clinical evidence shows that some carbonated beverages, cranberry juice, coffee, and tea contain oxalate, which can increase the risk for developing a buildup.

Discussion Comments

anon929807

A high calcium diet for stones might sound counter-intuitive, but calcium will bond with the oxalate molecules in the digestive tract to help prevent stone formation in the kidneys.

anon341054

Better to drink orange juice instead.

anon333384

Will eating a lot of oranges cause kidney stones?

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    • Kidney stones next to a ruler to show the size.
      By: erik gould
      Kidney stones next to a ruler to show the size.
    • Cranberry juice can help reduce water retention.
      By: Galina Mikhalishina
      Cranberry juice can help reduce water retention.
    • A kidney with a kidney stone.
      By: p6m5
      A kidney with a kidney stone.
    • Hot dogs are bad for those with kidney stones.
      By: Natika
      Hot dogs are bad for those with kidney stones.
    • Drinking water helps alleviate dehydration and may prevent the development of kidney stones.
      By: anyaivanova
      Drinking water helps alleviate dehydration and may prevent the development of kidney stones.
    • A person with calcium-specific kidney stones should replace dairy in their diet with an alternative, such as soy.
      By: lidante
      A person with calcium-specific kidney stones should replace dairy in their diet with an alternative, such as soy.
    • A urinalysis may be conducted to detect kidney stones.
      By: Mi.Ti.
      A urinalysis may be conducted to detect kidney stones.
    • One of the best foods for kidney stones is lemons.
      By: maya2008
      One of the best foods for kidney stones is lemons.