43 Kidney Stone Preventing Meal Recipes: Eat Smart and Save Yourself the Pain of Having Kidney Stones for Good

43 Kidney Stone Preventing Meal Recipes: Eat Smart and Save Yourself the Pain of Having Kidney Stones for Good

By Joe Correa CSN

These recipes are not only mouthwatering but are also packed with essential nutrients that our body needs to help prevent the formation of kidney stones and even help break them down.

Most kidney stones are created when the urine becomes concentrated with crystal-forming substances such as calcium, oxalate, sodium, phosphorous, and uric acid. To counteract these stone promoters, several factors present in the urine act to inhibit stone formation. The factors include: amount of urine excreted, the amounts of citrate, magnesium, pyrophosphate, phytate, and other proteins and molecules that are derived from normal metabolism. These inhibitors help eliminate crystals before they attach to the kidney walls and grow into larger stones.

Kidney stones can be prevented by drinking a lot of fluid. Including citrus beverages in your diet increases citrate levels in the body. Citrate helps by blocking the formation of stones. Getting too little calcium can cause oxalate levels to rise and cause kidney stones. A diet rich in calcium is beneficial, while vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium properly. A high-protein diet increases the level of uric acid that can promote kidney stone formation. A high-salt diet should also be avoided. Lastly foods high in oxalates and phosphates such as chocolate, coffee, and tea should be avoided.