Kidney stones can be painful to pass and they may eventually cause kidney failure, so it is important to do what you can to prevent them. Nuts are nutrient-dense choices, but they may be harmful if you are at risk for kidney stones. The best approach is to consult your doctor about what foods are best for your individual condition.
Plant-based Protein
Too much protein from animal sources, such as meat, poultry and fish, can increase your risk for kidney stones, according to MayoClinic.com. Emphasize protein from plant-based foods. Soy protein is a high-quality, or complete protein, with each of the amino acids you need, according to the University of Michigan. Nuts provide about 5 to 7 g protein per ounce, but their protein is incomplete. You can make a complete protein by eating nuts with other plant-based sources of protein, such as whole wheat bread.
Oxalate Concerns
Kidney stones can form from crystallization of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite or cystine, according to MayoClinic.com. If you tend to develop calcium oxalate stones, you may need to limit your intake of foods with oxalates. A low-oxalate diet has no more than 40 to 50 mg oxalate per day, according to the University of Pittsburgh. Nuts are high in oxalates and are excluded from this diet. You might want to consider low-oxalate alternatives such as avocados for their fiber and healthy fats.
Weight Control
A healthy weight can reduce your risk of developing kidney stones, according to MayoClinic.com. Individuals who eat nuts or peanuts regularly tend to have a lower body weight than people who avoid them, according to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. This may be because the protein and dietary fiber in nuts makes you feel full. Nuts are high in calories, with about 160 to 200 calories per ounce, so it is important to eat them only in moderation to avoid unwanted weight gain.
Sodium
MayoClinic.com suggests lowering your sodium intake to reduce your risk for kidney stones. Nuts are naturally low in sodium or nearly sodium-free. Salted nuts or nut butters are slightly higher in sodium. In addition to lowering your risk for kidney stones, a low-sodium diet supports a healthy blood pressure and decreases your risk for heart disease and stroke, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
