Diet for Preventing Kidney Stones

Anyone who has experienced a kidney stone knows what a painful ordeal it can be. The sharpest pain can be felt in the lower abdomen and/or lower back. Diet is a major contributing factor to this issue, and certain rules should be followed to avoid kidney stones.

Calcium

Kidney stones are mainly comprised of calcium salts. This can make one believe that reducing calcium intake would greatly decrease the chances of kidney stones; this is untrue. For women in particular, this increases the likelihood of osteoporosis. You simply must know how to get the proper amount of calcium. Instead of consuming calcium supplements, obtain it through food sources. Foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt, spinach, broccoli, almonds, and fortified cereals are excellent ways to obtain calcium.

Hydration

Drink plenty of water as this is one of the most important methods to preventing kidney stones. Often, kidney stones will pass through the urine of a well-hydrated person without their knowledge. Those who are dehydrated are more likely to have stones bind inside the urethra, causing massive pain. Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. If you want to add a little flavor to that water, spritz some lemon into it. The more the merrier. Lemons have a large concentration of citrate, which also help prevent kidney stones. The combination of lemon plus water is an excellent way to kill two birds with one stone — no pun intended.

What To Avoid

Certain foods can raise the risk of kidney stones. For example, foods high in salt. When purchasing canned goods or prepared meals from the store, always check the label for sodium content. Most often, these have a large amount. Fast food also has a lot of salt in it. Eat these types of foods sparingly, and do not add extra salt.

Food and beverages with a high amount of oxalic acid contribute to kidney stones. These include coffee, sodas, tea, beer, potatoes, pecans, and cocoa. Also, vitamin C supplements increase the level of oxalic acid in urine, which increases the chances of developing kidney stones. It’s best to fulfill the vitamin C requirements through foods such as oranges, kiwi, strawberries, and grapefruits.

What You Should Consume

Foods derived from plant sources are best to prevent kidney stones. Fresh fruits and vegetables are preferable. Magnesium and potassium aid in kidney stone prevention. Avocado, corn, squash, and cashews are great sources of magnesium. Bananas, carrots, cauliflower, and grapes have rich potassium content.