Download PP Dietary Management of kidney stones - info

Salt
Eating too much salt can increase the risk of renal stone
development as it increases the amount of calcium, which
passes into the urine. Try to reduce your salt intake by –
 Using less salt in cooking and avoid adding salt at the
table
 Try flavouring your food with alternatives such as –
pepper, herbs, spices, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic
 Also try to limit the number of processed foods you
consume as they contain high amounts of added salt.
This includes – tinned and packet soups, tinned meat
and meat paste, smoked meat and fish, salted crisps and
nuts.
Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient in all diets and is needed to keep
the body healthy. However, most people in the UK eat more
protein than the body actually needs. This may contribute to
the recurrence of renal stones in susceptible people.
Try to avoid large portions of meat, eggs, cheese, milk and
yoghurt. Aim to include 2-3 of the following each day –
 75-100g meat, chicken or fish
 2 eggs
 250ml milk
 30g cheese
 Small pot yoghurt
Remember do not avoid protein foods
Mr Iqbal Shergill
BSc (Hons), MRCS (Eng), FRCS (Urol)
Consultant Urological Surgeon
Mobile 07976 946282 ∙ Email [email protected]
Webpage www.shergillurology.com
Private Secretary Tel 01978 725855 ∙ Secretary Fax 01978 727149
Dietary Management of Kidney Stones
This information in this diet sheet is designed to help you
understand more about diet and kidney stones and to provide
practical advice about treating to reduce the risk of stones
recurrence.
In most cases the cause of kidney stones is unknown. Factors
such as family history of kidney stones, gender, infections,
climate and medical history may contribute.
In some cases kidney stones may develop when waste
chemicals such as calcium, oxalate and phosphate build up in
the urine and form crystals. These crystals may then
accumulate to form a small stone. Your doctor will advise you
of the levels in your urine.
Making changes to your diet and ensuring you drink enough
fluid may help reduce the risk of developing further kidney
stones in the future.
Fluid
You are more likely to form stones if your urine is
concentrated. It is essential that you drink plenty of fluids
aiming for at least 2.5-3 litres (5-6 pints) everyday.
 Avoid long periods without drinking fluids
 Drink 1-2 glasses of fluid before bed
 Aim to drink more in hot weather or when exercising
 Good choices include – water, squash, herbal tea, fizzy
drinks
 Tea and coffee can be consumed in addition to your 2.5-3
litres/day.
Oxalate
If your kidney stones contain oxalate you will need to avoid
oxalate rich foods to reduce the amount in your urine.
Oxalates are found in a variety of different foods. The
following foods are high in oxalate –
 Chocolate and foods containing chocolate
 Cocoa, carob and ovaltine
 Nuts and peanut better
 Strawberries, rhubarb, spinach, beetroot. leeks, celery,
tomatoes
 Tea (especially if brewed) limit to 2-3 cups of weak
tea/day.
Calcium
Calcium is important to maintain healthy bones. A moderate to
high intake of calcium (1000mg) is recommended to reduce
oxalate in the urine. Dairy foods are the richest source of
calcium although it can be found in other non-diary foods.
Aim to eat 2-3 portions of calcium foods daily, it is important to
have the same amount of calcium everyday.
A portion is –
 200ml glass of milk
 Standard pot of yoghurt (150g)
 Piece of cheese (30g)
 Small pot cottage cheese
 Small serving milk based pudding/custard
 Tinned salmon with the bones
Foods such as oranges, green leafy vegetables, red kidney
beads, baked beans, dried fruit and some breakfast cereals also
contain calcium but in varying amounts
Vitamin D
 Most people get all the vitamin D they need from
sunlight.
 Vitamins D supplements can increase the amount of
calcium absorbed from the foods we eat. Which may
increase the risk of developing a kidney stone.
 Avoid taking vitamin D preparations including cod liver
oil, fish oil, multivitamin and mineral preparations.