A kidney stone is a hard mineral deposit (hard, rock-like substance) that is processed from inside your kidneys. Kidney stones generally form when substances in the urine (i.e. calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus) become greatly concentrated.
Every year, about one million Americans get kidney stones. People who have a higher risk of getting kidney stones are typically between the ages of 20 and 40, males, and have a family history of them.
Most kidney stones are small in size and pass through the urinary system without any pain at all. However, large stones can cause excruciating pain or urinary blockage, which can lead to trouble urinating. Further symptoms include:
- Persistent need to urine
- Pain while urinating
- Pain in the side and back, just beneath the ribs
- If an infection is present, you may experience a fever or chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pink, red, or brown urine
Some kidney stones are made from calcium oxalate, a chemical compound that forms enveloped-shaped crystals. This naturally occurring molecule is found in plants and humans. With plants, oxalate can help blast excess calcium by binding with the oxalate. In humans, it works by feeding the good bacteria in the gut. A low-oxalate diet can help calcium and oxalate bind together before reaching the kidney, which could reduce the likeliness of kidney stones forming.
So for many people, cutting back on high-oxalate foods might help prevent kidney stones.
Foods to Eat as Part of a Low-Oxalate Diet
A low-oxalate diet is exactly what it sounds like: a meal plan that consists of low doses of oxalate. On a low-oxalate diet, limit your oxalate consumption to between 40 mg and 50 mg a day. The following low-oxalate foods have less than two milligrams of oxalate per serving:
Drinks:
- Lime juice
- Apple cider
- Apple juice
- Lemonade
- Lemon juice
- Buttermilk
- Grapefruit juice
- Pineapple juice
- Cherry juice
Herbal teas:
- Peppermint
- Wild forest
- Blackberry
- Mandarin orange spice
- Cinnamon
- Apple spice
- Cranberry apple
- Red raspberry
- Gentle orange
- Lemon soothe
- Chamomile flowers
Dairy:
- Cheese
- Buttermilk
- Milk
Fats, nuts, and seeds:
- Butter
- Vegetable oil
- Salad dressing
- Margarine
- Mayonnaise
Fruit:
- Melons
- Raisins
- Canned pears
- Mangos
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Grapefruit
- Cherries
- Grapes
- Passionfruit
- Papaya
Meat:
- Poultry
- Lamb
- Ham
- Pork
- Lean meats
- Shellfish
- Bacon
- Beef
- Corned beef
- Fish
Vegetables:
- Peas
- Mushrooms
- Endive
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Chives
- Cucumber
Condiments:
- Sage
- Sugar
- Basil
- Cinnamon
- Corn syrup
- Dill
- Honey
- Ketchup
- Maple syrup
- Nutmeg
- Oregano
- Jelly
- Vinegar
- White pepper
- Dijon mustard
Foods to Eat (in Moderation)
Drinks:
- Tomato juice
- Rosehip tea
- Grape juice
- Cranberry juice
- Draft beer
- Carrot juice
- Orange juice
Dairy:
- Yogurt
Fats, nuts, and seeds:
- Sunflower seeds
- Flaxseed
Fruit:
- Prunes
- Pineapples
- Oranges
- Mandarin oranges
- Apricots
- Apples
- Applesauce
- Fresh peaches
- Fresh strawberries
- Plums
Meat:
- Sardines
- Liver
Starches:
- Bagels
- Corn tortilla
- Brown rice
- White bread
- Sponge cake
- Oatmeal
- Ravioli
Foods to Avoid as Part of a Low-Oxalate Diet
Drinks:
- Black tea
- Cocoa
- Dark beer
- Hot chocolate
- Soy drinks
- Instant coffee
Dairy:
- Soy yogurt
- Soy cheese
- Soy milk
- Chocolate milk
Fats, nuts, and seeds:
- Soy nuts
- Nut butters
- Tahini
Fruit:
- Tangerines
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Orange peel
- Rhubarb
- Fruit cocktail
Vegetables:
- Eggplant
- Beet root
- Beets
- Olives
- Rutabaga
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Swiss chard
- Summer squash
If you think that you have kidney stones, seek consultation from your doctor first. You may want to ask your physician the following questions:
- Do I have a kidney stone?
- Where is the kidney stone located?
- How big is the kidney stone?
- What type of kidney stone is it?
- What are the chances of me developing another kidney stone?
- Will I need medication to treat the condition?
Once you know more about your condition, consult with your physician as to whether or not a low-oxalate diet is right for you.
Sources for Today’s Article:
“Low Oxalate Diet,” UPMC web site; http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/nutrition/Pages/low-oxalate-diet.aspx, last accessed September 8, 2015.
“Low Oxalate Diet,” Drugs.com; http://www.drugs.com/cg/low-oxalate-diet.html, last accessed September 8, 2015.
“Kidney Stones,” Mayo Clinic web site, February 26, 2015; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/basics/definition/con-20024829.
Pletcher, P., “What Is a Low-Oxalate Diet?” Healthline web site; http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/what-is-a-low-oxalate-diet#3, last accessed September 8, 2015.
“Kidney Stones in Adults,” MedicineNet.com; http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=60948, last accessed September 8, 2015.