DIETARY ADVICE FOR PEOPLE WITH
KIDNEY STONES
The following guidelines can help to reduce/prevent the formation of kidney stones:
- Drink plenty
- Drinking fluids will reduce the risk of developing stones.
• Drink plenty of fluids (preferably water) throughout the day.
• Aim to drink 3 litres (about 15 glasses) each day so that you can produce pale colored urine.in hot environments you may need to drink more and in colder environments and conditions you may need to drink less to produce pale colour urine i.e between yellow and white rather than dark yellow which mean you are dehydrated or white which means you are over hydrated.
• Reduce your intake of coffee, strong tea; alcohol.
• Avoid grapefruit juice
Remember to drink extra during hot weather and after exercise!
- Your Calcium intake should meet your daily requirements but
avoid taking too much.
Aim to take 3-4 servings of calcium rich foods per day
1 calcium portion is found in :
200ml (1 glass) milk or
125g (1 carton) yogurt
1oz cheddar cheese (matchbox size) or
1 bowl milk pudding
so aim at one glass of milk equivalent….
If you take a calcium supplement, discuss this with your doctor and dietitian
- Avoid too much salt and salty foods.
- Choose other flavourings e.g. pepper, herbs, spices and lemon juice.
• Add only a small amount of salt while cooking.
• Cut down or avoid use of salty foods e.g. ham, bacon, sausages, black and white puddings, tinned and packet soups, bovril, oxo, marmite and gravy mixes, processed foods e.g. cornbeef, salami.
- Do not eat too much protein.
- Protein is necessary as part of a healthy diet and is found in meat, chicken, fish and dairy products. However, large intakes of protein can also increase the risk of producing kidney stones.
Adult males and females need two portions daily.
2oz cooked lean meat or chicken or
3oz cooked fish or
2 eggs (not more than 7 per week) or
6 tablespoons of cooked peas/beans
- If your stone contains oxalate then it is good to avoid oxalate rich
foods.
Do not take vitamin C supplements as these can increase the risk of making oxalate stones.
Sample menu plan
Breakfast
Fresh fruit or fruit juice
Hi fibre cereal e.g. Weetabix, Branflakes, All Bran, Shredded Wheat with milk
Wholemeal bread and spread
Drinks : water, diluted squash, minerals, weak tea.
Mid morning
Drinks: water, diluted squash, minerals, weak tea.
Lunch/tea
Lean meat, chicken, turkey, fish, egg, cheese, beans
Salad or cooked vegetables
Wholemeal bread, bap, pitta bread, roll, baked potato, pasta, rice
Fruit, yogurt
Drinks : water, diluted squash, minerals, weak tea.
Mid afternoon
Drinks : water, diluted squash, minerals, weak tea.
Evening meal/dinner
Melon or fruit juice
Lean meat, chicken, fish or vegetarian alternative
Potatoes, pasta or rice
Vegetables
Dessert
Drinks: water, diluted squash, minerals, weak tea.
Supper
Drinks: water, diluted squash, minerals, weak tea.
Patient Name: __________________________________
Dietitian: _____________________________________
Bleep Number: _________________________________
Date: __________________________________________
Syed Jaffry Consultant Urologist FRCS FEBU FACS