Kidney Stone Prevention Diet

Dietary Changes

Studies have shown that diets high in calcium, sodium and oxalates (such as spinach) can increase the risk of certain types of kidney stone formation. Below is a list of foods allowed on a kidney stone prevention diet and those foods that should be avoided.

If your doctor has told you that you have a Calcium or Oxalate Stone, Uric Acid Stone, Struvite Stone, or Cystine Stone, please see the chart below, for the diet that's right for you.

Diet for Kidney Stone Patients Limiting Calcium, Sodium and Oxalate
Food Group Foods Allowed Foods Not Allowed
Beverages Carbonated drinks; coffee; decaffeinated coffee; fresh lemonade; limade; instant tea All milk, including buttermilk, canned milk, eggnog, malted milk, milkshakes, powdered milk, hot chocolate, cocoa mixes; lemonade made from frozen concentrate; brewed tea
Bread and Cereals Biscuits, bread, cornbread, hamburger buns, and muffins; pancakes; sweet rolls; waffles; cooked and dry cereals without added salt (check labels) Bread, crackers, and rolls with salt topping; corn tortillas; flour tortillas; cooked and dry with salt added
Cheese None All cheeses, including American, cheddar, cottage cheese, cream cheese, Gouda, mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, ricotta, and Swiss; cheese crackers; cheese foods; cheese puffs; cheese sauces and spreads; cheese sticks; dips; processed cheese
Desserts and Sweets Fruit cobblers, fruit pies, gelatin desserts; white and yellow cake with sugar icing; shortcake; tapioca; cookies; bread pudding (no milk); lemon sauce with cornstarch; vanilla wafers; graham crackers; fruit ices and popsicles; honey; jam, jelly, marmalade, preserves, syrup, and sugar All chocolate in cakes, icing, pies, candy, cookies, and puddings; chocolate chips; chocolate syrup; Boston cream pies; custards; puddings; rice pudding; yogurt; all ice cream, including mellorine, frozen custard, frozen yogurt, ice milk sherbet, and "dietetic" ice cream; chiffon pie and cream pie; molasses
Fats Butter, margarine, vegetable oil, and most salad dressing; powdered or liquid non dairy creamer; nondairy whipped cream, topping Sour cream; salad dressing made with cheese, yogurt, or sour cream; 1/2 and 1/2, whipping cream
Fruits and Juices Fresh, canned, and frozen fruit and fruit juice; dried fruits Canned carrot juice, tomato juice, and vegetable cocktail sauce; powdered fruit juice substitutes; electrolyte replacement drinks (Gatorade®); rhubarb
Meats and Meat Substitutes Two average meat portions per day; baked, boiled, broiled, or fried beef; substitutes, chicken, freshwater fish, fresh pork, seafood, tuna, turkey, veal or venison; homemade chili, meat pies and stews; eggs Barbecued, cured, salty, canned, or smoked meats and fish; anchovies, caviar, herring, salmon, sardines, corned beef, tamales, and stews; dried chipped beef; frankfurters; ham; luncheon meats; pizza; salt pork; bacon; sausage; non-homemade chili and meat pies; TV dinners
Starches Corn, macaroni, noodles, potatoes, rice and spaghetti; dried beans and dried peas in moderation Macaroni and cheese; potato chips; corn chips; tortilla chips; corn pudding
Vegetables and Soups Fresh, canned 1, 2 and frozen vegetables; homemade soups without added salt; lettuce Sauerkraut and other vegetables prepared in brine; canned pork and beans; hominy; all greens such as beet greens, collard greens, mustard greens, polk greens, spinach, and turnip greens; cheese soup; all canned soup (unless low sodium content is indicated); bouillon cubes; canned broth
Miscellaneous Spices, herbs, and extracts; unsalted peanut butter; small amounts of meat tenderizer; brown gravy and sauces such as catsup, chili sauce, spaghetti sauce, steak sauce, and Worcestershire (Worcester) sauce Added salt; seasoned salt; monosodium glutamate (MSG); prepared horseradish and mustard; olives; pickles; salted nuts; salted popcorn; regular peanut butter; soy sauce; cream gravies and white sauce; hollandaise; Newburg sauce
Supplements NONE unless recommended by physician` Vitamin D; vitamins plus minerals; vitamin C
Medications Only as directed by physician  

1. Instructions for limiting salt:
  • Use no salt or seasoned salt at the table
  • Eat foods only lightly salted during preparation
  • Do not add salt in the preparation of foods to which salt is added in processing (for example, canned vegetables)
  • When preparing food from a recipe, use half the amount of salt specified
2. Canned vegetables should be drained and rinsed to decrease salt

Diets for Specific Types of Kidney Stones
Calcium or Oxalate Stones Uric Acid Stones Struvite Stones Cystine Stones
Drink 10-12, 8-ounce glasses of water each day Drink 10-12, 8-ounce glasses of water each day Drink 10-12, 8-ounce glasses of water each day Drink 10-12, 8-ounce glasses of water each day
Limit high-calcium foods like dairy products and high-oxalate foods like colas, peanuts, chocolate
Don't overuse antacids		 Limit high-purine foods like anchovies, meat, poultry, organ meats, vegetables, caviar, beer and wine Caused by infections; you must follow your antibiotic regimen and drink lots of water Limit intake of fish (it's high in methinonine)

This material is intended to provide basic information. All medical advice, diagnosis and treatment should be obtained from your physician.