How Should Those with Kidney Stones Eat?

Those with kidney stones should not drink too much tea and coffee and should pay attention to their diet...
Emphasizing that kidney stone patients should pay attention to their nutrition, Yeditepe University Hospitals Nutrition and Diet experts said, “Nutrition is very important in kidney stone patients. However, since it is often neglected, the stone problem often recurs due to improper nutrition. "Especially in Turkey, the amount of tea, water, alcohol, salt and animal protein consumed are important factors," they say.

Should the Nutrition of Kidney Stone Patients Be Special?

Although genetic factors are very effective in kidney stones, we must try to delay this problem with environmental factors as well. Nutrition is very important for kidney stone patients. However, since it is often neglected, the stone problem often recurs due to improper nutrition. Especially in Turkey, the amount of tea, water, alcohol, salt and animal protein consumed are important factors.

What Should Kidney Stone Patients Pay Attention to in Their Nutrition?

The most common stone types in Turkey are calcium oxalate stones. For this reason, the amount of oxalate taken in the diet of kidney stone patients is of great importance. One of the most important factors in oxalate intake is black tea consumption. Black tea is very rich in oxalates, so it affects it directly. Excessive consumption of coffee other than tea, insufficient water consumption, excessive salt consumption, excessive intake of oxalate-rich vegetables and animal protein are factors that increase the risk.
Protein of animal origin, red plums and plums make the urine acidic and make it suitable for the collapse of oxalate stones. That's why we recommend animal source protein as much as possible, not exceeding the daily requirement. It is not appropriate to be insufficient, because the body needs protein and animal protein is the best used protein in the body.

Since vegetables generally contain high oxalates, we recommend vegetables with as low oxalates as possible. For example, the amount of oxalates is high in very dark green leafy vegetables. Vegetables such as spinach, purslane, beet, turnip, green beans and okra fall into this class. The amount is low in broccoli, Brussels sprouts and regular cabbage. We recommend that vegetables be boiled, drained, and cooked as much as possible, and that they be accompanied by a source of calcium (such as yoghurt, cheese, milk).

Among the fruits, red plum and plum produce acid. Oxalate stones precipitate much more easily in an acidic environment. Strawberries and kiwi are also fruits rich in oxalates. Lemonade and orange juice are among the drinks we recommend. Foods such as hazelnuts, peanuts and almonds are rich in oxalates. We advise our patients to reduce these; We want them to eliminate cocoa, cocoa drinks and cola completely, if possible.

Water consumption in kidney patients carries too much moisture. Especially when you examine the patient's history, we see that most of them do not consume enough water. Daily water consumption should be 2-2.5 liters, total liquid intake; We want it to be 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 liters for women.
We are not saying that you should eliminate salt from your life. Unless you have another disease, 6 grams of salt per day is sufficient for normal healthy individuals. We do not want additional salt or the use of salt shakers on the table.

What should be the daily amount of calcium that should be taken into the body?

Although it varies from person to person, it is recommended to take an average of 1000–1200 milligrams. This amount means 3 glasses of milk or yoghurt and two slices of cheese. It needs to be taken from all foods in a balanced manner. They need to take 100 percent of their daily recommended dosage. For this purpose, individual counseling must be obtained and the person must be guided according to his/her needs.