Top 9 Best Diets for People with Kidney Stones

Drinking tea daily is a common habit for many people today, and it’s undeniable that tea offers numerous health benefits. It contains antioxidants, helps reduce stress, boosts heart health, lowers cancer risk, and alleviates arthritis pain...

However, for those with kidney stones, tea is a particularly unsuitable drink. Tea has a high oxalate content, a key component that contributes to the formation of kidney stones. Oxalate binds with calcium to form calcium oxalate stones, which account for 80% of all kidney stone cases.

Similar to tea, coffee and carbonated beverages are also rich in oxalates—another major cause of calcium oxalate stones. Research from the US in 2004 found that individuals with kidney stones or a history of stones show increased calcium levels in their urine after consuming two cups of coffee daily.

Therefore, minimizing the consumption of tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks is a wise decision if you want to avoid complications from kidney stones.

As we know, kidney stones and urinary stones often form when the concentration of minerals (calcium, oxalate, uric acid) is too high, while citrate, a compound that prevents crystal formation, is significantly reduced. Orange and lemon juice contains a lot of natural citrate, which helps prevent the formation of stone seeds and enhances the dissolution of existing stones and sediments in the urinary tract.

Therefore, it’s advisable to incorporate this drink into your diet, even if you don’t have kidney stones, as it’s highly beneficial for overall health.

The purine content found in red meats, organ meats, and shellfish (such as clams, oysters, and mussels) increases the metabolism and excretion of uric acid, which raises the risk of uric acid stone formation. Additionally, a high-protein diet reduces citrate levels, making it easier for stones to crystallize. It’s recommended that you consume no more than 150g of meat daily.

It is recommended to consume about three glasses of milk per day or an equivalent amount of dairy products such as butter or cheese (around 800-1,300mg of calcium). Avoid excessive restriction of calcium-rich foods, as it may lead to an imbalance in calcium absorption, causing the body to absorb more oxalate from the intestines, which can form kidney stones. Additionally, avoiding calcium can lead to osteoporosis.

For individuals who experience recurrent kidney stones, after tests show evidence of hypercalciuria due to increased calcium absorption from the intestines, calcium intake should be reduced but not eliminated completely. A daily intake of around 400mg (equivalent to 1.5 glasses of milk) is recommended.

One of the main causes of kidney stones is inadequate water intake. If this persists, the condition can worsen. Therefore, individuals with kidney stones should consume at least 2 liters of water daily, spreading it out throughout the day. While fruit juices are nutritious, they should not replace water. Stick to plain water for hydration.

Proper hydration helps dilute urine and reduce the concentration of minerals that can form kidney stones. However, this doesn’t mean you have to strictly drink only water—feel free to enjoy other beverages in moderation, as long as more than half of your daily fluid intake comes from water.

To ensure you drink enough water, place bottles in visible locations around your home. Drink even when you're not thirsty to help dilute urine and flush out stones more efficiently. Avoid drinks high in oxalates, such as strong tea, coffee, and sodas. If you have a history of heart disease, consult your doctor before making changes to your water intake.

In addition to drinking plenty of water, maintaining a diet rich in fiber can greatly improve the condition of kidney stone patients. High-fiber foods promote better bowel movement and are especially beneficial for those who have undergone percutaneous nephrolithotomy (stone removal).

Common fiber-rich foods include whole grains, vegetables, and legumes. However, fiber intake should be managed carefully and ideally discussed with a doctor before starting. Some recommended vegetables include cucumbers, which aid digestion and reduce the absorption of substances that may cause kidney stones. Fruits such as oranges, apples, bananas, and watermelons, rich in vitamin B1, are also helpful in dissolving stones. Avoid foods like celery, green peppers, cilantro, spinach, and water spinach.

Additionally, fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, kiwis, and grapefruits, can be beneficial for dissolving stones. However, these should be consumed in moderation, as too much can have the opposite effect.

Reducing the salt in your daily diet also means lowering calcium levels in urine, which is a major cause of kidney stone formation and has a significant impact on the health of patients. Therefore, kidney stone sufferers should opt for a low-salt diet, limiting salt in their meals, and in some cases, avoiding it depending on their individual health conditions.

Foods high in sodium, such as processed meats, fast food, and salty snacks, should be strictly avoided. This salt-reduction approach is beneficial not only for kidney stone patients but also for stomach health.