Introduction
The aim of the diet for Kidney Stones is to balance the intake of substances likely to form the stones (calcium, oxalate and uric acid) and to improve the ability of the kidneys to excrete waste products.
High
- FIBRE: The phytates in fibre prevent crystallisation of urinary calcium and reduce stone formation. Eat plenty of wholemeal and wholegrain bread and cereals, fruit and vegetables.
- FLUID: to help decrease the concentration of minerals in the urine. Drink 2-3 litres of filtered water daily.
- POTASSIUM: A diet high in potassium may reduce the risks of stone formation. Sources include bananas, nuts, all vegetables, avocado and sunflower seeds.
Low
- OXALATE-RICH FOODS: Avoid spinach, rhubarb, beetroot, peanuts, cocoa, chocolate, tea and coffee. Soy products such as tofu, soy milk, soy cheese and soy icecreams also contain oxalates and should be avoided.
- SODIUM or SALT: avoid salted foods such as processed meats, snack foods, stock cubes, salty condiments and sauces, packet and tinned soups, take-away foods. Avoid adding salt at the table.
- VITAMIN C supplements: excess intake of vitamin C supplements may increase the oxalate content of urine. Avoid vitamin C supplements and eat moderately of vitamin C-rich foods (citrus fruit, berries, green vegetables and capsicum).
- Purines: Excess purines raise the concentration of uric acid and encourage crystallisation of calcium. Avoid intake of purine-rich foods such as red meat, tinned fish, offal meats, pate, caviar, mussels, meat extracts, gravies and yeast products.
Moderate
- CALCIUM: Limit intake of milk and dairy foods to the equivalent of 1 1/4 cups milk daily to keep overall intake of calcium to around 1200mg per day. Do not severely restrict calcium as this can have adverse effects on bone growth and strength.
- PROTEIN: Excessive intake of protein may contribute to stone formation, but like calcium, it is important for growth and should not be severely restricted. Eat smaller amounts of animal proteins (meat, chicken, eggs and fish) and greater amounts of cereal proteins (brown rice, nuts, whole grains, legumes and wheat.
Sample meal plan
The following diet has been suggested for this condition.
Breakfast
1-2 glasses water.
- 1-1 1/2cups rolled oats porridge or 1- 1 1/2cups high fibre cereal with dried fruit with 1/2cup dairy milk or 1-2 slices wholemeal or grain bread with 1 egg, scrambled or poached or 1-2 slices wholemeal or grain bread with 1/2-1 cup baked beans.
- One piece fresh fruit or glass of fruit juice.
Morning tea
- 3-4 wholemeal crispbreads with tomato or one fruit bun.
- 1-2 glasses water.
Lunch
- 2-4 slices wholemeal or grain bread or 1-2 bread rolls or 1-1 1/2cups rice or wholemeal pasta.
- 30g lean meat or chicken or 1 egg.
- Salad or steamed vegetables as desired.
- One piece fresh fruit.
- Two glasses water.
Between lunch and dinner
- 3-4 wholemeal crispbreads with tomato or one fruit bun.
- Two glasses water or 1 glass fruit juice.
Dinner
- 90g lean red meat, chicken, veal, pork or diet mince or 120g fresh fish. Low fat flavourings, herbs and spices.
- 1-2 medium potatoes, steamed, dry baked or mashed with a little milk or 1-1 1/2 cups steamed rice or pasta.
- Plenty of steamed or lightly stir-fried vegetables or salad.
- One piece fresh fruit or 1/2-1cup stewed fruit with rolled oats porridge crumble topping.
- Two glasses water.
Limit daily milk intake to 300mls whole or low fat or soy milk. (200g yoghurt = 200mls milk).
Remember
1. Drink plenty of water (one glass every hour).
2. Avoid oxalate-rich foods.
3. Avoid vitamin C supplements.
4. Avoid salty foods and condiments.
5. Eat plenty of high fibre fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread and cereals.
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