10 Foods That Can Trigger Kidney Stones & 10 That Help Prevent Them
An Apple a Day Keeps Kidney Stones Away
To put it mildly, kidney stones are painful and unpleasant. Whether you have to pass them at home or are unlucky enough to need surgery, they’re best avoided—and a good way to prevent them is with the proper diet. Here are 10 foods that can promote stone formation and 10 foods that help prevent them.
1. Chocolate
In a perfect world, you'd only eat high-oxalate foods in moderation. Too much of a good thing, like regular chocolate consumption, can cause trouble down the road; everyone's favorite sweet treat is high in both oxalates and sugar, which could wreak havoc on your system down the line.
2. Red Meat
To make matters worse, there are different kinds of kidney stones, which means further diligence in your diet. Red meat like pork and beef is best left to a minimum—less consumption protects you from multiple kinds of stones.
3. Excessive Sodium
In general, less salt is always a good move for your kidneys, so pay attention to how much you consume throughout the day. A lower-sodium diet helps prevent kidney stones and keeps cholesterol down, which is important for proper kidney function.
4. Fast Food
Not only is fast food highly processed, but it’s also loaded with sodium—two things that can lead to kidney stone formation. To make matters worse, it’s packed with empty calories, grease, and high levels of fat. Do yourself and your insides a favor: consume in moderation.
5. Nuts
Though most nuts are part of a nutritious, balanced diet, some can trigger kidney stones if you're not careful. Popular options like walnuts, Brazil nuts, and almonds are all pretty high in oxalates, so while you don’t need to cut them out entirely, don't go overboard either.
6. Soda
Hydration is crucial for kidney stone prevention, but mind what you drink. Studies show that some sodas lead to an increased risk of kidney stones, particularly due to ingredients like caffeine and high fructose corn syrup.
7. Beets
For most people, beets are a great veggie packed with antioxidants and vitamins. For sufferers of calcium oxalate kidney stones, however, they can be a nightmare. They're especially bad if anyone in your family has a history of kidney stones, so speak with your doctor about whether they're right for you.
8. Spinach
Spinach is another veggie well-known for its oxalate content. Since it’s loaded with vitamins and fiber, you may not have to nix it unless a professional says otherwise, so doctors and dieticians are your best path forward. When it comes to kidney stones, it's always best to remain mindful of what you eat!
9. Soy Foods
Soy foods look safe on the surface, but anything from tofu to soy milk can cause kidney stones. Popular soy products are unfortunately high in oxalates, which make them prime suspects for calcium oxalate stone formation. Depending on what your doctor says, you might have to eat them in moderation, or not at all.
10. Rhubarb
Rhubarb has a higher amount of oxalates—if you’ve ever struggled with calcium oxalate stones, this veggie may exacerbate the problem. Speak with your doctor about whether it should be kept off your meal plan altogether.
With some of the bad stuff out of the way, let’s dive into which foods help keep kidney stones at bay.
1. Watermelon
As the name suggests, watermelon is filled with water, which not only fights off kidney stones but also promotes kidney function. Watermelon also comes with a healthy amount of potassium, which help lower blood pressure and supports nerve function.
2. Citrus Beverages
Orange and lemon juice are great defenders against kidney stones. We can thank the high citrate content, and a cup of either each day can keep the little buggers away (though, orange juice is packed with more benefits).
3. Cucumber
Cucumbers are packed with water, which is already helpful in kidney stone prevention—but they also have lots of antioxidants and boast low oxalate levels. Try to work them into your diet by eating slices or incorporating them into a glass of water.
4. Celery
Celery has high water content as well, making it a perfect warrior against stones. This powerful vegetable also comes with enough vitamins and antioxidants to promote overall kidney health. For most people, it's a terrific addition to their diet.
5. Calcium-Rich Foods
It’s been long thought that avoiding calcium-rich foods prevents kidney stones—but they can peacefully coexist with high-oxalate foods. It’s important to speak with your doctor about the right diet before you cut out cheese or yogurt!
David Foodphototasty on Unsplash
6. Broccoli
Broccoli is a well-known superfood packed with vitamins and iron, but we can officially add another benefit to the list. Turn to this classic vegetable to keep kidney stones away—it doesn’t have a ton of sodium, it's low in calories, and it's also low in oxalates.
7. Apples
An apple a day keeps the doctor and kidney stones away. What makes them so special is that they don’t have a lot of oxalates but they do have lots of antioxidants. They’re also a low-calorie food, making them a great option all around.
Aarón Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash
8. Bananas
If you’re looking for another traditional fruit, bananas are right up your alley. Generally speaking, a higher potassium diet can help ward off kidney stones, and since bananas are full of it, they’re a prime example of beneficial fruit. Just be sure you speak with your doctor about how many to eat.
9. Whole Grains
Given that highly processed foods can lead to kidney stones, it’s better to make substitutions. Whole grains don’t come with any added preservatives and also have plenty of magnesium, which is a well-known contributor to stone prevention.
10. Water
At the end of the day, one of the best ways to ward off kidney stones is to remain hydrated. Nothing does the job better than water, so drink plenty of it during the day!
