Kidney Stones: Prevention and Management
Using diet to prevent kidney stones may mean changing what you eat. Depending on your individual risk factors and on the type of kidney stones you form, you may need to reduce salt intake, change the kinds of proteins you eat, and increase your intake of potassium, such as from fruits and vegetables. You will likely need to increase your intake of calcium and fluids. Your dietitian will design and explain a plan to meet your specific needs.
NOTE: Risk factors for kidney stones vary between individuals. Parts of this worksheet may not apply to you. Your clinical nutritionist will review and explain those items that do.
Check if applicable:
- Fluids – Low urine volume makes urine too concentrated
Drinking 3 or more liters (quarts) per day is the best way to lower your risk for forming new stones. You may have to drink even more than this if you exercise heavily or are in hot weather for long periods of time. Drink at least 10 (8 ounce) cups of fluids a day. Be sure to drink all day and during the night. All drinks count toward your fluid intake. This includes water, lemonade, soda, fruit juice, coffee, and tea. Low-sugar and low-calorie beverages are recommended so that you do not consume too many calories from beverages. To distribute your fluid intake, try dividing the day into equal parts with a goal of drinking a certain amount of fluids in each part so that it adds up to about 100 ounces per day.
- Salt (sodium) – Sodium causes too much calcium to be in your urine
Most diets contain too much sodium. This may increase the amount of calcium in your urine. Only about 10% of salt intake comes from the salt shaker. The rest comes from processed and prepared foods. The amount of salt in your urine in 24 hours is a good estimate of your intake. Based on your urine study, your intake of sodium is _______ milligrams. Limit sodium to 3000 milligrams per day or less.
High-salt foods:
added salt in cooking |
added salt at table |
canned/bottled tomato sauce |
| salty, cured meats/deli meats | salty snacks | cheese (especially processed) |
| canned soups/vegetables | some salad dressings | miso |
| convenience foods | pickles/olives |
soy sauce |
fast foods/restuarant foods |
sports beverages |
frozen entrees |
breads, bagels, rolls and baked goods |
casseroles and other "mixed" foods (pizza, lasagna) |
some breakfast cereals (read labels) |
- Fruits and Vegetables – Reduce the risk of stone formation
Eating 5 or more servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables daily could decrease your risk for stone formation by providing potassium, fiber, magnesium, phytate, citric acid, and antioxidants, all of which reduce various stone risk factors.
- Calcium – Avoid getting either too much or too little
Calcium is good for your bones. It also lowers your risk for forming calcium oxalate stones, especially when consumed with meals. This table lists calcium needs:
• 1000 mg – for men up to age 65 years
• 1500 mg – for men 65 years and older
• 1000 mg – for women 25-50 years
• 1500 mg – for women over 50 years
Choose 3-4 servings of calcium rich foods per day. Dairy foods are rich in calcium, but there are many non-dairy calcium-rich foods and beverages, too. Try to eat them throughout the day. If you are at risk for calcium oxalate stones, it is important for you to have something containing calcium at meal times
Foods containing calcium |
Amount |
Calcium (milligrams) |
Milk and calcium-fortified drinks |
1 cup |
300-400 |
| Kefir | 1 cup | 300 |
Yogurt |
3/4 cup |
150-200 |
Ice cream |
3/4 cup |
150 |
Pudding made with milk |
1/2 cup |
150 |
Salmon (with bones) |
1/4 cup |
150 |
Broccoli, kale |
1 cup |
100 |
Cheese* |
1 ounce |
150-200 |
Cottage cheese* |
1 cup |
150 |
*Avoid too much of these foods. They are high in salt and may increase calcium loss in urine. If you cannot eat dairy, use calcium fortified beverages and foods. You may use calcium supplements to help meet your calcium needs, but be sure to take these with meals. Discuss this with your dietitian.
- Animal Flesh Protein – This includes all meats, fish, and poultry
Protein from these sources may raise the uric acid and calcium content of urine. The amount you eat may have to be adjusted to 1 serving or _______ ounces per day. Notice that dairy foods are not limited as they do not add to high uric acid.
- High Oxalate in the Urine – Several ways to reduce it
Controlling and reducing the amount of oxalate in your urine may have nothing to do with foods you eat. It may have to do with foods you don’t eat. The major reason for high urine oxalate is a low calcium intake. Calcium binds with oxalate in the digestive tract and prevents oxalate from getting absorbed. Because of this, you may be advised to eat or drink something containing calcium at every meal. Supplemental vitamin C in amounts of 1000 mg/day or more might cause too much oxalate in your urine, so you might be advised to stop (food sources of vitamin C are okay). Finally, a few specific high-oxalate foods might contribute to high urine oxalate, including nuts and nut butters, spinach, rhubarb, beets, chocolate, and french fries. Your urine oxalate may not be influenced by these foods; your dietitian will advise you.
Teach Back:
What is the most important thing you learned from this handout?
What changes will you make in your diet/lifestyle, based on what you learned today?
UW Health – UWHC 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792
Urology Clinic - Nutrition (608) 265-9797 or
(608) 263-4757 for Appointments
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 02/20/2013
Copyright © 02/20/2013 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#339
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