1. Hydration (Most Important!)

Kidney Stone Diet Plan: Best Foods to Prevent & Manage Stones

Every day, consume 3–4 litres (10–14 cups) of water.

Urine should be light yellow or clear.

Citric acid helps prevent stone development, so add ½ lemon to your drink everyday.

2. Reduce Sodium (Salt)

Avoid: Processed foods, canned soups, deli meats, fast food, chips.

Limit to <2,300 mg/day (ideally <1,500 mg if stone-prone).

3. Moderate Oxalates (For Calcium Oxalate Stones)

High-oxalate foods to limit: Spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, tea, soy.
Pair calcium-rich foods with oxalates (e.g., cheese with spinach).

4. Get Enough Dietary Calcium (1,000–1,200 mg/day)

Good sources: Yogurt, milk, cheese, fortified plant milks, broccoli, kale.

Avoid calcium supplements unless prescribed (food-based calcium is safer).

5. Limit Animal Protein (Especially for Uric Acid Stones)

Reduce: Red meat, organ meats, shellfish, poultry.

Replace with: Beans, lentils, tofu, quinoa, eggs (in moderation).

6. Avoid Sugary & Soda Drinks

Fructose (soda, sweet tea, juices) increases stone risk.

Colas (high in phosphoric acid) worsen stones.

7. Eat Citrate-Rich Foods

Best sources: Lemons, limes, oranges, melons.

7-Day Kidney Stone Prevention Meal Plan

Day 1

Morning meal: almond milk muesli topped with banana and chia seeds.

Midday meal: Grilled chicken salad with lettuce, cucumber, avocado, and lemon vinaigrette.

Dinner: Prepared salmon with quinoa and steamed broccoli.

Treats: Sliced apple with 1 tbsp of peanut butter, baby carrots.”

Day 2

Breakfast: Greek yogurt + blueberries + flaxseeds.

Lunch: Lentil soup + whole-grain bread.

Dinner: Stir-fried tofu + bok choy + brown rice.

Snacks: Melon slices, unsalted popcorn.

Day 3

Breakfast: Breakfast is an egg scramble with whole grain bread and fruit.

Lunch: Turkey & avocado wrap (whole wheat) + side salad.

Dinner: Grilled prawns with roasted sweet potatoes and vegetables.

Snacks: Cottage cheese + pineapple.

(Continue rotating similar meals with variety.)

Tailored Diets for Specific Stone Types

1. Calcium Oxalate Stones (Most Common)
   ✅ Do:
   Drink lemon water.
   Eat calcium-rich foods with meals.
   Limit spinach, nuts, chocolate.
   ❌ Avoid:
   Excess vitamin C supplements (>1,000 mg/day).
2. Uric Acid Stones
   ✅ Do:
   Eat more fruits & veggies (alkaline diet).
   Limit meat, poultry, fish.
   ❌ Avoid:
   Alcohol (especially beer).
   Organ meats (liver, kidney).
3. Struvite Stones (Infection-Related)
   Requires antibiotics (diet alone won’t prevent).
   Stay hydrated to flush bacteria.
4. Cystine Stones (Rare, Genetic)
   Very high fluid intake (4+ liters/day).
   Reduce salt & animal protein.
   Final Tips
   ✔ Check urine pH (ideal: 6–6.5).
   ✔ Exercise (helps prevent obesity-related stone risk).
   ✔ For recurring stones, get a 24-each hour testing for urine to customise diet