The main points of the diet

• Limit your intake of oxalates and sodium
• Dissolve kidney stones naturally
• Restore urinary comfort
• Avoid painful crises
• Know which foods to avoid that contribute to oxalate formation
• Keep well hydrated
• Increase your vitamin and mineral intake
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat meat in moderation

To increase its effectiveness, this diet should be combined with regular physical activity.

Calcium oxalate: is it responsible for the formation of kidney stones?

Kidney stones usually occur after the age of 30 and affect men more than women.

The presence of stones in the urinary tract causes various symptoms, ranging from difficulty urinating to the presence of blood in the urine.

The type of kidney stone can vary, but in 75-85% of cases they are made up of salt or calcium oxalate.

Who tends to overproduce oxalate?

Obese people produce more oxalate than others, as do people with high blood pressure or diabetes.

Lack of physical activity can also lead to long-term loss of bone mass and the release of calcium into the blood. This increases the risk of developing urolithiasis.

Kidney stones: Are there any forbidden foods?

Certain foods should be avoided in a kidney stone diet.

These are foods that favour the formation of oxalate and prevent the urinary system from working properly, such as those rich in salt:

• Oxalates
• Sodium
• Animal Proteins

Foods rich in oxalates

Although 90% of oxalates are produced by the body, it is recommended to limit the consumption of foods rich in oxalates, such as:

• Spinach 
• Rhubarb
• Parsley
• Sugar beet
• Strawberry 
• Walnut
• Peanut Butter 
• Cocoa and chocolate
• Black Tea 
• Bran 
• Soy Beans

The oxalate in tea appears to have low bioavailability, meaning that the body absorbs only a small amount.

Animal protein

As part of a kidney stone diet, it is recommended to limit the intake of animal proteins to a maximum of 150g per day.

They increase uric acid and calcium excretion and decrease citrate excretion.

Animal protein sources to avoid if you have kidney stones are:

• Red meat
• Poultry
• Eggs
• Fish
• Cured meats
• Cheese (limit 1 portion per day)

Food sources of sodium

In order to dissolve kidney stones naturally, it is recommended not to consume more than 2000 mg of sodium per day.

This would have a negative effect on blood pressure and increase urinary calcium excretion.

The main sources of sodium are processed and packaged foods.

In fact, more than 75% of the sodium we consume comes from processed foods, such as:

• Cheeses
• Cooked meats
• Sauces
• Dried or smoked dehydrated foods

Summary list of the most common high-sodium foods that promote the formation of kidney stones