Kidney stones are hard crystals that form in your kidneys or ureter, and they can block the flow of urine. Although they do not usually cause permanent damage, they can be very painful, and an appropriate diet may be the best approach for preventing them. Nutrisystem is a diet delivery program for weight loss, and with your doctor's approval, you may be able to use it for preventing kidney stones, too.
If you are overweight, a potential benefit of Nutrisystem is that it is designed to help you lose 1 to 2 lbs. per week. Obesity is a risk factor for developing kidney stones, according to the Mayo Clinic. Each day on the program, you eat a prepared Nutrisystem breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack or dessert, as well as additional foods which you purchase for yourself from your supermarket. You can select your individual Nutrisystem meals and snacks.
Animal Proteins
You can reduce your risk for kidney stones by lowering your intake of animal proteins, according to the Mayo Clinic. Nutrisystem has a vegetarian meal plan whose only animal proteins are from eggs and dairy products. For your high-protein grocery additions, choose meat alternatives, such as tofu, seitan, tempeh and edamame, instead of eggs, chicken, turkey, tuna, shrimp. You can have soy milk and cheese instead of low-fat dairy cheese, cottage cheese, milk and yogurt.
Sodium
A high-sodium diet not only raises your blood pressure, but may also increase your risk for kidney stones, according to the Mayo Clinic. Nutrisystem meals and snacks or desserts provide more than 1,400 mg sodium per day on average, and healthy adults should have no more than 2,300 mg per day. You can lower the sodium from Nutrisystem meals by reading their nutrition information and ordering the lower-sodium choices. From your grocery additions, limit high-sodium options, such as salad dressing and vegetable juice, and choose low-sodium alternatives, such as avocados and fresh vegetables.
Other Factors
Avoid dehydration to lower your risk for kidney stones, according to the Mayo Clinic. Nutrisystem encourages water and other calorie-free or low-calorie beverages, such as herbal tea, coffee and diet drinks. Oxalates increase your risk for kidney stones, so do not drink hot cocoa or order Nutrisystem desserts with chocolate. Kale, spinach and sweet potatoes also contain oxalates. Whenever you have concerns about your weight or risk for kidney stones, your first step should be to consult your doctor.
