What Kind of Foods Can Lead to Kidney Stones

April 7th, 2025 by Fuad Elkhoury

This problem is familiar to many. Renal colic (acute lower back pain) causes suffering to people all over the world. Kidney stones are a serious urological disease. In it, hard stones form in the kidneys or urinary tract. So, these formations are formed from salts and minerals that are normally dissolved in urine but under unfavorable conditions begin to crystallize and combine into larger structures. This disease affects people of any age but is more common in adults, especially in men between the ages of 30 and 60. Let’s discuss what causes the kidney stones and how to deal with them.

What Exactly Are Kidney Stones?

This is a fairly common urological disease. These are hard deposits of insoluble salt crystals—calcium, uric acid, and others. Their appearance can be provoked by certain foods. The peculiarity of the disease is that it may not manifest itself for years—if the stones are small and do not interfere with the functioning of the urinary system. But if they grow and begin to move along the urinary tract, they cause suffering to a person. The patient may suffer from pain. No single food directly causes stones, but certain dietary choices may increase your risk of developing the condition.

Calcium Oxalate Stones

They are most often types. In this case, calcium in the urine binds to oxalate, a natural compound in many foods. If you have this type of kidney stone, it’s time to change your diet!

Foods that cause kidney stones include products high in oxalates: spinach, rhubarb, almonds, cashews, miso soup, cereals, baked potatoes (with the skin), beets, cocoa powder, okra, bran, French fries, raspberries, stevia, and sweet potatoes. Pair foods high in oxalates with foods rich in calcium (such as spinach with low-fat cheese). This will help neutralize the absorption of oxalates.

Reduce your sodium intake. Excess salt increases the level of calcium in your urine. Avoid canned foods, processed meats, fast foods, and salty condiments. Doctors also recommend moderate consumption of animal protein. Reduce your intake of beef, pork, eggs, cheese, and fish.

Avoid excess vitamin C. Doses above 500 mg per day may increase oxalate production.

If you have had kidney stones, consult your urology doctor to determine the type and adjust your diet accordingly. You will likely be asked to reduce your intake of salty foods, animal proteins, and processed meats, and to prioritize hydration. Drinking plenty of water dilutes your urine, minimizing the risk of stones.

Calcium Phosphate Stones

They form when calcium combines with phosphorus in the urine. In this case, limit the worst foods that cause kidney stones—animal proteins: organ meats (liver), dairy products, eggs, and seafood. Avoid alkaline foods—that is, fresh fruit/vegetable juices (except orange, cranberry, or nectarine). Reduce processed foods. Phosphorus additives are often found in frozen meals, sodas, and deli meats. Reduce sodium intake. Try to consume less than 1 teaspoon of salt per day.

Uric Acid Stones

Caused by overly acidic urine, these stones are made of uric acid, a byproduct of food metabolism. How to eat right? Replace red meat, poultry, and shellfish with plant proteins like beans, lentils, tofu, and nuts. Limit soda and foods with high-fructose corn syrup. Opt for acidic drinks like lemonade, which is rich in citrates, which inhibits stone formation. Limit alcohol. It can increase uric acid levels.

Cystine Stones

It is rare and is in hereditary condition. Are the result of excess cystine in the urine? How to prevent them? Drink plenty of water to lower cystine levels. Reduce acidic foods. Try to eat less meat and increase fruit/vegetables to balance urine pH. Avoid salty snacks, canned soups, and processed meats.

Basic Tips for Fighting the Disease

By understanding your stone type and adjusting your diet, you can reduce your risk of recurrence. Always consult your doctor for individual recommendations. But there are also general tips that you might find useful to read. Sodium is found in chips, deli meats, and canned goods. Excess sodium increases the level of calcium in the urine. Replace animal protein in moderation with plant-based options (tofu, nuts). Avoid carbonated drinks; choose water, herbal tea, or drinks with added citrus.

Balance foods rich in oxalates with calcium; avoid overloading the body with spinach or almonds. High doses of vitamin C (>500 mg/day) can increase the production of oxalates. Try to drink 2.5-3 liters of water per day. Add lemon or lime. Limit processed foods. Choose fresh alternatives that are low in sodium. Give preference to fish, poultry, or plant proteins. Get calcium from food (dairy products, leafy greens), not from supplements. Even healthy food (nuts, berries) can be dangerous in excess. Be sure to control your food portions; do not overeat.

Eat oranges and lemons (high content of citrate, an inhibitor of stone formation). Include whole grains in your diet, such as oats and quinoa (low oxalate content). Leafy greens are also very useful. Products with a high-water content are a must-have. Cucumbers and watermelons promote hydration.

Be Careful with Oxalates

Oxalates are natural compounds that can contribute to the formation of kidney stones, especially in people prone to calcium oxalate stones. If you have had stones in the past, it is important to review your diet. Determine whether you need to completely eliminate oxalates or just limit their amount.

Eat foods with oxalates together with a source of calcium (milk, yogurt, cheese). Calcium binds oxalates in the intestines, preventing their absorption and entry into the kidneys.
List of foods high in oxalates:

• Chocolate and cocoa
• Beets
• Nuts (especially almonds, cashews)
• Black tea
• Rhubarb
• Spinach
• Sweet potato

By following these rules, you can minimize the risks without strict dietary restrictions.

Conclusions

Individual factors (genetics, metabolism) are also important. But we cannot influence this. But changing our diet is quite accessible to us. Take care of your health in time! By making informed decisions, you can significantly reduce the risk and maintain kidney health. And we are always ready to help you in the fight against this disease. Contact us at any time for advice. A sensitive and individual attitude is guaranteed.