Diet for Avoiding Kidney Stones

Choosing the right kind of diet is one of the most helpful strategies for people who stay susceptible to develop this condition called renal lithiasis, clinical name for the condition of kidney stones. As the name suggests, these stones are nothing but small hard deposits that develop inside the kidneys. These stones are primarily a result of an accumulation of mineral and acid salts. There could be several causes behind the onset of this condition. The good news is, it has not been known to cause any kind of permanent damage. In most cases, people do not require treatment, except for drinking plenty of water and taking medications to relieve the pain. However, those who stay at a risk of developing kidney stones, may require treatment so as to prevent recurrences.

Diet to Reduce Risks of Kidney Stones

This diet includes foods that are primarily low in salt and animal protein, and those which are rich in oxalate, as well. Patients can continue to have calcium-rich foods, as they do not carry the risk of causing kidney stones. However, calcium supplements must be administered with caution. Once you are aware of the foods to avoid with kidney stones, it would become easier for you go for the right kind of foods.

Foods to Avoid

• Vegetables - Beet greens, beetroot, beets, carob powder, celery, chard, dark leafy greens, eggplant, endive, green peppers, leeks, legume, okra, parsley, rhubarb, spinach, summer squash, sweet potato and Swiss chard.
• Fruits - Blackberries, gooseberries, raspberries (black), red currants and strawberries.
• Others - Chocolate, cocoa, draft beer, meat products (excess), fruit cake, grits, nuts, nut butter, peanut oil, peanuts, pralines, salt, soy products, tea and wheat germ.

So these are the foods which you must avoid if you are susceptible to kidney stones. Now for the ones which you can include in your diet would be those which are high in calcium. However, these foods can be taken unless the doctor advises otherwise. As aforesaid, for a kidney stone diet, it is more necessary to be aware of the foods which must be avoided. And to know the kind of foods which can be included, it is best to get a doctor's advice on it, as there could be several exceptions. Nevertheless, here is a list of foods which most dietitians recommend.

Food to Have

• Animal crackers
• Apples
• Baked haddock
• Cantaloupe
• Cereal
• Grapefruit
• Lemonade
• Margarine
• Peas
• Scrambled eggs
• Skim milk
• Wheat bread
• White meat chicken
• White rice
• White toast

Symptoms

The most prominent symptom is pain while urinating. It may arise as the stones try to push their way through the urinary tract. This pain may also occur in other areas of the body such as the side and back. It can also radiate to the lower abdominal regions and groin area. Urine may be pink, red or brown and this may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. There could be a persistent urge to urinate. Also, if there is any kind of infection, then fever and chills could be the symptoms.

Apart from inculcating a diet that is dedicated to lower the risk of kidney stones, the most important requirement is to drink plenty of water. Minimum water intake must be 8-9 glasses of water daily. And if you are prone to such a condition, it is obvious that you must drink more than this amount.