Kidney stones are a painful condition that requires medical attention. Your doctor may ask you to collect the stone for testing because the chemical composition of the stone provides insight into treatment and prevention. Kidney stones tend to recur, but if you know the type of stone your body produces, you can take steps to avoid them. Dietary changes, such as limiting oxalate-containing foods, are one way to reduce the risk of kidney stones in people with a prior history, says MayoClinic.com.
Stone Formation
Kidney stones form when certain compounds accumulate at high concentrations in the urine. Unable to remain in dissolved in the liquid, these compounds clump together and form crystals. As the crystals grow in size, a hard stone-like mass forms. These stones block the movement of urine though the urinary tract and often produce severe pain, MayoClinic.com says.
Beets and Other Vegetables
According to the Department of Urology at the University of British Columbia, foods that are high in oxalate contribute to the formation of kidney stones in susceptible people. Beet roots and beet green have high levels of oxalate and increase the urinary concentration of this compound. Other vegetables that are high in oxalates include Swiss chard, spinach, endive, escarole, kale, parsley, turnip greens, eggplant, leeks, summer squash, okra, parsnips, green peppers, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, rutabagas, canned tomato sauce, watercress, yams and beans.
Other Foods
A variety of other plant-derived foods are also high in oxalates, containing more than 10mg oxalate per serving. These include fruits such as berries, Concord grapes, red currants, Damson plums, lemon, lime or orange peels, tangerines and kiwi. Grits, wheat germ, whole wheat flour or bread, soy products, nuts and seeds have high oxalate levels. High oxalate beverages include draft beer, instant coffee, tea and cocoa, says the Department of Urology at the University of British Columbia.
Prevention
Limit the amount of beet roots, beet greens and other high-oxalate foods in your diet. You may be able to tolerate these foods in small amounts. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. You should produce approximately 2.5 liters urine per day, MayoClinic.com says. If you consume a food high in oxalate, drink an extra glass of water alongside it to dilute the oxalates in your urine.
