Kidney Stones Diet: Avoid These 6 Foods For Better Calcium Absorption

Kidney stones are tiny particles that can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. The excruciating pain can really lead to a debilitating situation and it affects millions of people across the globe. What are kidney stones? These are small mineral deposits that are formed inside the kidneys. While there are several factors that contribute to kidney stone formation, diet plays a crucial role. By being mindful of your food choices, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing kidney stones.

See also: The Kidney Stone Diet: Nutrition to Prevent Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones – The Kidney Dietitian

KIDNEY STONES: 6 FOODS YOU SHOULD NOT EAT

• High Oxalate Foods: Oxalet compounds usually bind calcium and urine and lead to formation of kidney stones. Spinach, rhubarb, beets, and nuts are some of the high-oxalate foods to limit in your diet.
• Sodium-rich foods: A diet rich in sodium can increase the amount of calcium in urine, which in turn can lead to stone formation. Avoiding processed foods, canned soups, and salty snacks is one way to lower sodium intake.
• Animal Protein: Diets rich in animal proteins, such as red meat, poultry, and fish, can lead to higher uric acid levels in the urine, which can increase the risk of kidney stones. Consider replacing some of your animal protein with plant-based protein sources like beans, lentils, and tofu.
• Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: Sugary drinks like soda and certain fruit juices also contribute to kidney stone formation. The high sugar content can lead to increased calcium excretion in the urine.
• Processed Foods: Processed foods often contain additives and preservatives that can increase your risk of kidney stones. These additives can alter your urine composition, making it more prone to stone formation. Opt for whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible.
• Calcium Supplements: While calcium is essential for overall health, excessive calcium intake from supplements can increase the risk of kidney stones, especially if taken without food. If you need calcium supplements, consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage and timing.

See also: 4 Practical Tips & Exercises To Reduce Weight & Belly Fat

In addition to avoiding these foods, it is important to stay hydrated as it dilutes urine and reduces the concentration of minerals that can form stones. Also, maintaining a healthy weight and adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can contribute to kidney stone prevention.

Foods to avoid with kidney stones

1. Salty Foods

High sodium levels are linked to a higher risk of kidney stones and more calcium being passed through the urine. This increases the risk of stones developing so you should avoid salty foods since these can increase your sodium levels. Processed, prepackaged, and fast foods are all high in salt, as well as canned foods. Always check the sodium content on the food label before you eat pre-made foods. 

2. Vitamin C Supplements

Vitamin C can get converted into oxalate in the body if it is taken in excessive amounts such as a supplement. Avoid using vitamin C supplements unless prescribed by a doctor and try to get your daily intake of this nutrient from natural sources only. 

3. Calcium Supplements

Taking calcium through food sources does not increase the amount of calcium in your urine. However, excessive intake of calcium supplements provides your body with much more calcium than you need. This leads to more calcium being passed out of the body through the urine which can increase the chances of a stone forming. If you need to maintain your calcium levels, talk to your doctor and find out what your dietary options are instead of calcium supplementation. 

4. Certain Fruits

Fruits like rhubarb, dates, and raspberries may worsen your kidney stones since they are high in oxalate content. Try to eat fruits like bananas, apples, and cherries instead. 

5. Certain Veggies

Veggies like spinach, potatoes, beetroots, and carrots are also high in oxalates. Since these are healthy foods you should not avoid them entirely. Instead, you can eat calcium-rich foods during the same meal to balance out your oxalate levels. 

6. Caffeine

Caffeine can cause your body to pass more urine, which may lead to dehydration. Low levels of water in the body increase the risk of kidney stones/ You should speak with your doctor and ask them if you can still drink coffee when you have kidney stones. 

7. Animal Proteins

Eating too much protein from animal sources can lead to uric acid building up in your body. Apart from calcium oxalate, uric acid is another substance that can form kidney stones. If you only get your protein from non-vegetarian foods, you may risk a higher chance of uric acid kidney stones. Try to avoid animal-based proteins and use vegetarian sources instead. 

Kidney stone-friendly recipes to try

Here are a few recipes to try in case you currently have kidney stones. These recipes include low oxalate ingredients to curb the growth of stones as well as ingredients that may dissolve existing stones. Speak with your doctor before trying out any new diet plan.

1. Basic pomegranate juice 

• Peel the skin off 2 medium-sized pomegranates and put the fruit into a large blender.
• Blend for several minutes until a wet, runny pink juice forms.
• Strain the juice into a glass and drink.
• Do not add sugar or salt unless your doctor has allowed it.

2. Low oxalate homemade bread 

• Mix 2 spoons of sugar, 1 cup warm water, and 1 cup whole wheat flour in a large bowl with 1 sachet of dry yeast.
• Once the mixture starts to bubble slightly, add half a cup more wheat flour, half a spoon of salt, 1 cup of regular flour, and 2 spoons of vegetable oil.
• After mixing well, turn the dough onto a flat surface and half a cup more regular flour along with 2 tablespoons each of sunflower seeds and oatmeal.
• Knead the dough for several minutes until all ingredients are combined well then put it away into a clean bowl (put a little oil at the bottom of the bowl first and the bowl with a cloth after placing the dough).
• Allow the dough to double its size, deflate the dough slightly, and shape it into a log (or several buns), place this onto a pan or oven-safe cooking tray.
• Let it rise for another 30 minutes then bake the bread for about 30 minutes at 190 °C (375 F) until golden brown.

3. Hydrating refresher

• Add the juice of 1 fresh lime or lemon with a tablespoon of honey. 
• Add 230 ml of warm or cold water.
• Blend for a few seconds till it is well mixed.
• This refresher will have high levels of citric acid which helps reduce the acidity of urine.
• Consume immediately and quickly (the taste may not meet everyone’s preferences).

Conclusion 

Kidney stones can be managed with the right medical attention if you inform your doctor at the earliest. Since these stones can continue to grow unless the right steps are taken, you should not wait once you suspect you might have them. A good diet will contain sufficient amounts of water, calcium, potassium, and lower levels of sodium and oxalates. Surgical removal may also be required in many cases. For more information, consult with your doctor to find out what you should and shouldn’t eat from the above list.