Kidney Stones: Preventing Kidney Stones Through Diet

How can you help prevent kidney stones?

The following tips may lower your chance of getting kidney stones or of getting them again.

• Drink more fluids, especially water, if your doctor says it is okay. This is the most important thing you can do.
• Eat less salt and salty foods. One way to do this is to avoid processed foods and limit how often you eat at restaurants.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. They contain nutrients that can help prevent kidney stones.
• Talk to your doctor or dietitian about how much calcium you need every day. Try to get your calcium from food, rather than from supplements. Milk, yogurt, and calcium-fortified orange juice are all high in calcium.
• Limit foods high in oxalate if you've had an oxalate stone. These foods include spinach, rhubarb, beets, fried potatoes like potato chips and french fries, and nuts.
• Limit how much animal protein you eat. This includes beef, chicken, pork, fish, and eggs. Too much animal protein may lead to kidney stones. You don't have to give up these foods. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about how much protein you need and the best way to get it.
• Avoid grapefruit juice.
• Drink lemonade made from real lemons (not lemon flavoring). It is high in citrate, which may help prevent kidney stones.
• Talk to your doctor if you take any vitamins, minerals, or supplements. Your doctor may want you to limit or avoid certain vitamins and minerals.