Kidney stones are tiny, hard deposits that occur in the kidneys. They appear when there is a decrease in urine or an increase in specific chemicals, such as minerals and salts. Changes in nutrition can help prevent them. Kidney stones can cause excruciating discomfort and affect approximately 9% of women and 19% of men. In this post, we will discuss some of the dietary choices a person may make to lower the likelihood of developing kidney stones, as well as foods to avoid.
1. Salt.
According to WebMD, eating a lot of sodium, which is a component of salt, causes the level of calcium in your urine to increase. Any additional oxalate that remains after eating “sticks” to calcium in the kidneys. That might result in stones. So cut back on fast food, canned foods, packaged meats, and sauces in your diet.
2. Consume less animal protein
Several protein sources, including red meat, pig, chicken, poultry, and eggs, increase the amount of uric acid your body produces, according to Healthline. Additionally, eating a lot of protein lowers the level of citrate in urine. Kidney stone formation is something that citrate works to stop. Tofu (bean curd), hummus, chia seeds, and Greek yogurt are other vegetarian protein options. Since protein is crucial for overall health, talk to your doctor about how much you should consume daily.
3. Reduce or eliminate your intake of added sugars.
Sugars and syrups that are added to processed foods and beverages are known as added sugars. Added sucrose and fructose may increase your chances of developing kidney stones. Keep a watch on how much sugar you consume in processed meals such as cake, fruit, soft drinks, and juices. Corn syrup, crystallized fructose, honey, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, and cane sugar are some more frequent names for added sugar