Introduction
If you have kidney stones, you know how painful and uncomfortable they can be. But did you know that the food you eat can actually help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with kidney stones? Eating the right foods can help reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and can even help break them down. The #1 best food to eat if you have kidney stones is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eating these foods can help reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and can even help break them down. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and can even help break them down. Eating a diet rich in these foods can help reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and can even help break them down. So, if you have kidney stones, make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.
The #1 Best Food To Eat if You Have Kidney Stones — Eat This Not That
If you have kidney stones, it’s important to make sure you’re eating the right foods to help reduce the risk of further stones forming. Eating the right foods can also help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with kidney stones.
The best food to eat if you have kidney stones is a diet that is low in sodium, animal proteins, and oxalates. This means avoiding processed foods, red meat, and high-oxalate foods like spinach, rhubarb, and chocolate. Instead, focus on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like fish and poultry.
It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to help flush out the stones. Aim for at least eight glasses of water a day. You can also drink unsweetened cranberry juice, which has been shown to help reduce the risk of kidney stones.
In addition to eating the right foods, it’s important to get regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight. This can help reduce the risk of developing kidney stones in the future.
If you have kidney stones, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the best diet and lifestyle changes to make. Eating the right foods and staying hydrated can help reduce the risk of further stones forming and can help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with kidney stones.
Kidney stones can be caused by not drinking enough water, exercising either too much or too little, eating food with too much salt or sugar, consuming high amounts of animal protein without many vegetables, and even obesity or weight loss surgery. If you do develop kidney stones, there are ways to help the process move along, including watching what you drink and eat.
According to Sydney Greene, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and member of our Medical Expert Board, the best foods to eat or avoid when experiencing kidney stones will depend on the type of kidney stone you are dealing with. The most common type of kidney stone experienced in adults is calcium oxalate stones; if we’re talking about these particular stones, the best food you can eat is a combination of calcium-rich and oxalate-rich foods.
“One of the best dietary changes to make if experiencing these types of kidney stones is to eat calcium-rich foods with oxalate-rich foods,” says Greene. “When consumed together, the calcium and oxalate are more likely to bind to one another before entering the kidneys.”
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According to The National Kidney Foundation, oxalate is naturally found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, grains, and legumes. A common misunderstanding is that eliminating oxalate-rich foods in your diet will reduce the chances of forming calcium oxalate kidney stones. However, while not technically incorrect, this approach isn’t the healthiest way to go about things.
The Foundation further suggests that calcium may tend to get a bad rap because of the name of the type of kidney stones. However, a diet low in calcium may actually increase your risk of developing kidney stones, which is why it’s recommended to not reduce your calcium intake. Instead, focus on cutting back on the amount of sodium in your diet.
The combination of oxalate and calcium is more likely to bind to one another in the stomach and intestines before the kidneys begin processing. This makes them less likely to develop into kidney stones.
Greene continues to explain that there are ways to combine both calcium-rich foods and oxalate-rich foods in your everyday diet.
For example, green smoothies are a great way to include these types of food. Greens, especially spinach, tend to be high in oxalate. To get more calcium into your diet, blend greens with dairy milk, cow’s milk kefir, or a nut milk fortified with calcium to get the proper nutrients.
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Read the original article on Eat This, Not That!
Kayla Garritano