Kidney stones are masses made up of tiny crystals. There are a four types of kidney stones: calcium, cystine, struvite and uric acid. Calcium stones are the most common and are more prevalent in men. Calcium can bind to oxalate, phosphate or carbonate to form a stone. Oxalate is found in several foods and may need to be avoided. Dehydration can also cause kidney stones. Symptoms of kidney stones include pain, blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, chills and fever.
Low-Oxalate, Low-Sodium Diet
If you have kidney stones, your doctor may request that you follow a low-oxalate diet. A low-oxalate diet should contain no more than 40 to 50 mg of oxalate per day. You will also need to drink more fluids, especially water. Aim for 6 to 8 glasses of water per day. Your diet to prevent kidney stones should also be low in sodium. Avoid salt, salt seasonings, monosodium glutamate, soy sauce, salted snack foods, cured and processed meats, condensed and canned soups and vegetables prepared in brine including pickles and sauerkraut.
Low-Oxalate Foods
There are no restrictions on foods containing low oxalates. Fruits with low-oxalates include apricots, avocados, bananas, cherries, cranberries, melons, nectarines, peaches, pears, pineapples, oranges and strawberries. Some acceptable vegetables include cabbage, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, lettuce, mushrooms, onions and zucchini. Acceptable starches include egg noodles, rye bread, white rice, wild rice and corn or rice cereals. Recommended meats include fish, poultry, ham, bacon, eggs and egg whites. Cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, milk and yogurt are acceptable.
Moderate-Oxalate Foods
According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, you should eat no more than 2 to 3 servings of moderate-oxalate foods. Fruits to limit include apples, coconut, purple plums, prunes and mandarin oranges. Vegetables that need to be limited include tomatoes, parsnips, turnips and carrots. White bread, brown rice, cornmeal, oatmeal, spaghetti and bagels are a few of the starches you should be limiting. Sardines and liver also have moderate amounts of oxalates.
High-Oxalate Foods
Avoid all foods high in oxalates. These foods include chocolate milk, soy milk, soy yogurts, instant coffee, blackberries, blueberries, figs and kiwi. Vegetables to avoid include beans, eggplant, collards, okra, spinach, kale and leeks. Avoid starches such as buckwheat, bran cereals, fruitcake, grits, pretzels, and whole wheat breads/flours. Avoid peanut butter, nuts, sesame seeds and soy burgers. Other beverages that should be avoided are dark beers and black tea.
References
- PudMed Health; Kidney Stones; Jan. 14, 2009
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Low Oxalate Diet; 2006
- The American Dietetic's Association Nutrition Care Manual; Nutrition Therapy for Kidney Stones; 2009.
