7 Foods You Should Avoid to Prevent Kidney Stone

Do you know someone who has had a kidney stone? If you have observed their suffering, you would do anything to avoid it happening to you. Kidney Stone is a disease that is gaining popularity day by day. One should take enough precautions before getting affected by the disease. If you once had a stone, you have a 50% chance of experiencing another within the next 15 years. Yet the good news is, a small change in your diet can make a big difference from many risk factors for recurring kidney stones. This article brings to you seven foods you should avoid to prevent kidney stones.

A higher use of salt increases the amount of calcium in urine, promoting the formation of kidney stones. So items that are loaded with salt such as pickles, chips, instant noodles or even sodium enriched processed food cutting down on your diet is extremely crucial.

Eating meat in large quantities, which is enriched with animal protein, has the chance to increases one's risk of developing kidney stones. Now eating meat is not confined to red meat only; this includes even chicken, fish and eggs as well. That does not mean you have to become a vegetarian or follow a vegan diet; just limit your meat consumption from usual.

Oxalate, a compound naturally found in many plants, binds with calcium to form kidney stones. Items such as beets, spinach, okra, sweet potatoes and nuts are high in oxalates. That does not mean you need to eliminate them but balance them. Balancing is the key. Taking oxalate rich food with calcium sources like milk or yoghurt might help in reducing stone risk.

Beverages that contain fructose and phosphoric acid like Colas, sodas and packaged juices, are harmful for your kidneys. These items raise the risk of forming stones in your kidneys. Instead of these diets, it's beneficial to stick to more natural items like just drinking simple water, coconut water or lemon water that will keep your system hydrated more.

It's okay to have a cup of coffee or tea but exceeding that limit can lead to dehydration, which is a major trigger for kidney stones. Caffeine is one of the major causes that increases calcium excretion in urine.

Intake of too many sugary items can increase the amount of calcium in urine so, food items such as pastries, chocolates, candies and desserts might seem harmless but these are enriched with sugar. If you really want to avoid kidney stones, choosing fruits over sweets is the true wisdom.

You need to note down a few food items like processed meats, instant meals and ready to eat snacks, which are filled with sodium, unhealthy fats and preservatives. These factors nurture conditions that provide a fertile ground for stone formation.

First and foremost, to prevent kidney disease is to stay hydrated by drinking more fluids, which will help the body dilute urine, preventing crystals from clumping together to form stones. A study found that individuals who produced 2 to 2.5 liters of urine per day have a 50% to get less affected by kidney stones than those who produce less. As there is a medical saying, “Prevention is better than cure,” you need to understand that kidney stones may be common today but they do not control your life. A small change in lifestyle can save you from tomorrow’s unbearable pain.