When you are undergoing kidney stone treatment, the doctors advise you many things and which foods to avoid is one of the important things to take care of. Kidney stones are formed in several ways and some foods are more prone to crystallization than others.
Hence, you will be required to give up on certain food items to increase the impact of your treatment. Kidney stones are usually formed due to the buildup of calcium minerals, uric acid, and other components. Therefore, your focus should be on avoiding foods rich in these.
The doctors at RG Stone has provided with a list of foods to be avoided if to help improve the efficacy of your kidney stone removal process.
Limit Sodium
Limiting your sodium/salt intake is the first suggestion from medical experts. It can promote the buildup of calcium in the urine. Salt can easily lead to calcium buildup and hence its intake it to be reduced drastically in the diet. Some ways to do that are,
- Stop eating processed foods and drinks
- Don’t add salt from the shaker to prepared dishes
- Reduce the amount of salt used in cooking your foods
Limit Animal Protein Intake
Protein is good for your health and are mostly recommended by experts to keep you fit and healthy. However, if you are suffering from stones in your kidney or are prone to stones due to hereditary factors, consult with a specialist on your protein intake. You cannot eliminate protein from your diet, hence, you need to be careful about its consumption.
Eggs, fish, chicken, pork, red meat, etc are a good source of protein but they all contain high levels of Purine which is known for increasing the acidity of urine. Purine is known to increase the level of uric acid and reduce citrate levels, making the urine highly concentrated. Citrate plays a crucial role in dissolving the mineral crystals in the urine. Consume alternative such as chia seeds, hummus, tofu, Greek yogurt, etc which are all good source of protein.
Avoid Foods with Oxalates:
As a kidney stone patient, you are advised to eat oxalates wisely. Foods high in oxalates interfere with the dissolution of kidney stones. Your doctor may ask you to completely avoid oxalate-rich foods during the course of the treatment and afterwards. While eating any oxalate rich food, combine it with a calcium source. Calcium binds with the oxalate during digestion before it reaches your kidneys, making it easier to digest. You should avoid these foods which are high in oxalates;
- Spinach
- Rhubarb
- Tea
- Nuts
- Beets
- Chocolate
- Sweet potato
- Swiss chard
Avoid Carbonated Drinks:
Carbonated drinks are anyway not advised by any dietitian or doctor, and they should be completed avoided by a kidney stone patient. These drinks are high in caffeine, adulterated flavors, and other chemicals like phosphate that can promote the formation of stones. Choose to drink more of healthy liquids like water, coconut water, etc.
To sum up, if you could avoid the foods mentioned above, you have a better chance of managing the disease successfully. But, please consult a specialist before making any drastic changes in your diet. Do remember, a change in diet with medication can help deal with smaller stones. If the stones are too big, then your doctor may prescribe invasive treatment.
Summary:
Kidney stones can be very painful but fortunately, diet can prove to be an effective tool in preventing and managing kidney stones. However, it is most effective for smaller stones and here are a few dietary tips to help manage the disease. Get a dietitian to help you understand which vegetables are high in sodium and avoid those while undergoing kidney stone treatment
