Can changing your diet prevent kidney stones?

After passing kidney stones, the last thing you want to do is go through the painful experience again. Fortunately, there are some things you can do, specifically with your diet, to help prevent getting kidney stones in the future.  

What are kidney stones? 

Kidney stones are solid masses that form in one or both kidneys. Kidney stones can form for a number of reasons, but the main one is a buildup of substances, like calcium, uric acid and phosphate.  

“Your kidney’s primary function is to help your body filter excess chemicals and waste,” says Dr. Julie Sheehan, a family medicine physician at Aurora Health Care. “Factors like not drinking enough water, eating a diet high in salt and sugar, or having diabetes can affect your body’s ability to filter this excess waste and instead cause a buildup in your kidneys which can lead to kidney stones.” 

How your diet can help prevent kidney stones 

“Changing your diet can be one of the easiest ways to prevent future kidney stones,” says Dr. Sheehan. “Generally, health care providers push lifestyle changes first since that’s the first line of defense when it comes to kidney stone prevention.” 

Lifestyle changes that help prevent kidney stones: 

• Drink plenty of water 
• Avoid foods with high oxalate content, like spinach, berries, chocolate, nuts, tea and beets. Oxalates are naturally occurring compounds that can increase the risk of kidney stones since it can bind with calcium.  
• Eat more calcium to help limit the amount of oxalates absorbed by your body
• Avoid a high protein diet as it might cause your kidneys to excrete more calcium than necessary 
• Limit your salt intake
• Don’t take high doses of vitamin C supplements 
• Eat plant-based proteins, like beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas 

Some foods that may increase your risk of developing kidney stones: 

• Processed meats 
• Instant and fast foods 
• Excessive red meat, poultry, seafood or eggs 
• Beets 
• Chocolate 
• Sodas and excessive caffeine  

“Every kidney stone is different,” says Dr. Sheehan. “A good rule of thumb is avoiding an excess of salty foods, meats and other animal proteins. Since kidney stones can vary, it’s best to work with your health care provider to determine which foods are best to omit from your diet.” 

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