Dietary factors are the most important element in the formation of kidney stones. If you’re prone to kidney stones, you would have to alter your diet by including certain foods and restricting foods that could cause kidney stones.
People prone to calcium oxalate stones, one of the most common types of kidney stones, are advised to include 800 mg of calcium in their diet for kidney health and bone density maintenance.
Vitamin C and D should not be consumed no more than 500 mg each day for people with kidney stones; this could vary from different cases and should be discussed with your doctor.
What are the best foods that prevent kidney stones?
Here are the 7 best foods that you should include in your diet to prevent kidney stones:
1. Low-Fat milk
Calcium is an important element in binding oxalates in the digestive tract and restricting them to be excreted to urine. Overweight also have shown to form kidney stones, this makes consuming foods low in fat vital. Low-Fat milk is rich in calcium and low in fat which makes it a perfect fit to prevent kidney stones. (Consuming it in large quantities would result in a negative impact)
2. Yogurt
Plain yogurt contains low sodium and is great for calcium intake. Be sure to have plain yogurt because flavoured yogurts have high sugar contents, and added flavours could have a contradicting impact on your kidney health goals.
3. Water
Not necessarily a food item but one of the most important elements in preventing kidney stones. Consumption of water is important to ensure that you’re passing urine properly and keeps the urine diluted.
4. Lemons/Lime
Lime and lemons are shown to lower the risk of kidney stones by preventing calcium oxalate stones and Uric acid stones.
5. Orange
Oranges are citrus fruits that are proven to reduce the formation of kidney stones. Because of its citrus nature, it helps prevent calcium oxalate stones and Uric acid stones but should be limited for those prone to calcium phosphate stones.
6. Vegetables rich in potassium
Vegetables like broccoli and kale prevent calcium loss in our bodies and also have antioxidant properties. Having such vegetables could help in preventing kidney stones.
7. Whole-grain foods
The purpose of including whole grain foods is to ensure that you maintain a healthy weight. Having a healthy weight is important to prevent kidney stones.
Including all these foods in your diet could help prevent the formation of kidney stones in your body. It is always advised to consult with a doctor to get the best diet for you, depending on your kidney stone type and health.
