Kidney stones are a common problem that often arises due to our diet and lifestyle, so once you are diagnosed certain dietary changes will help to reduce symptoms and improve the condition. First , you should be able to recognize the symptoms of kidney stones. If you are diagnosed, you now need to follow the appropriate medical advice and know how to eat if you have kidney stones. At OneHowTo.com we give you all the necessary recommendations to improve your condition.
One of the most important habits that you should include in your daily routine if you suffer from kidney stones is to drink water. This condition is more common in people who drink little fluid and therefore urinate little.
It is important to consume between 1.5 and 2 litres of water a day, always of low mineralization as calcium can worsen kidney stones. It is also recommended to reduce the intake of drinks with caffeine or protein as they can cause dehydration.
Note that, although in the early hours of the day it is normal for your urine to be dark, throughout the day it should become clearer. If this does not happen, it is because you do not drink enough fluids.
Kidney stones are formed on many occasions by an excess of calcium, so if you have kidney stones when eating it is very important to reduce the intake of foods rich in calcium.
- Consume only two daily servings of milk, preferably low in fat. Moderate your intake of milk, yogurt, cheese and butter.
- If you opt for bottled water, choose one with low mineralization.
- Reduce also the consumption of other foods rich in calcium so to keep your kidneys healthy.
When eating protein you should choose lean meats. This eating habit is especially important if you have kidney stones and also suffer from high uric acid. In this case, opt for chicken, turkey, white fish and lean meat with very little fat. Or, an even healthier alternative is to stick to a vegetarian diet.
Too much salt in the diet favors fluid retention which can aggravate kidney stones. Therefore it is important to follow a low-salt diet and prevent dehydrated foods, pickles, soups and prepared products high in salt, such as sausages.
Another important recommendation regarding diet if suffering from kidney stones is to eat less high-fat items. Meats, desserts, ice cream, whole milk, fried and junk foods should be eaten only in rare occasions as very fatty foods worsen the condition.
Many kidney stones are formed from calcium oxalate, in such cases it is advisable to avoid eating certain foods containing it, such as seafood, spinach, beets, chocolate, peppers and oily fish.
You can also ask your doctor to provide a complete list of foods that you should avoid eating if you have this type of kidney stone.
Depending on the cause that led to the formation of the kidney stones it is possible that your doctor may need to apply other changes to your diet in order to promote the elimination of the kidney stones and ensure your recovery. If you want to ensure the health of your kidneys we invite you to consult our article how to keep your kidneys healthy.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Eat if You Have Kidney Stones, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.