“What are the foods that can lead to kidney stones?”
My son was diagnosed with kidney stones after he consumed a lot of dairy. He did pass them, but I would like to prevent any kidney stones from developing. Are there any other foods that could lead to kidney stones?
4 Answers
Hello, I'm sorry to hear about your son - ouch! Poor guy. There are several types of kidney stones so the best way to know which foods to avoid or eat more of to prevent future stone formation is to know which type he had. If his doctor was able to test the stones they s/he can give you this info along with a foods list. Regardless of the type, a few key dietary recommendations can help lower the chance of stone formation. 1) Stay well hydrated. This means drink water! Soda pop is notorious for contributing to almost all stone types forming due to its high chemical content and many also are dehydrating, concentrating chemical /crystals into stones. Anything with caffeine also can dehydrate and have a similar effect. 2) Reduce red meat consumption. Eating too much protein, especially red meat, can also contribute to some of the more common types of stones. 3) Reduce the amount of sugar and processed foods in the diet. Between the inflammation they create and the large amount of chemicals they contain, these items contribute to several stone types. Ideally, we should all avoid sugar and processed food for many reasons! In general, the most common type of kidney stone is calcium oxalate, and articles like this one can really help with the diet component for self-care: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11066-kidney-stones-oxalate-controlled-diet Again, reach out to your son's doctor to find out which exact stone type he had to get a more accurate list of foods to avoid or to eat more of. Best wishes for his good health! Other types of stones are calcium phosphate.
High purines and high calcium levels and not drinking enough water to flush your kidneys.
Generally, drinking enough liquids every day is the best way to help prevent most types of kidney stones. Drinking enough liquids keeps your urine diluted and helps flush away minerals that might form any stones. Water is best, but other liquids such as citrus drinks may help prevent kidney stones. Studies show that citrus drinks, lemonade/orange juice, protect against kidney stones because they contain citrate, which stops crystals from turning into stones.
Foods that are high in oxalates are generally the best to avoid when dealing with Kidney stones.
