CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF KIDNEY STONES
1. INCREASE FLUIDS TO AT LEAST 10-TEN OUNCE GLASSES EVERY DAY (100 OUNCES). Any
type of beverage will count toward your fluid intake. This includes water, juice, milk, tea,
and any other beverage. It is best to avoid high-sugar, high-caloric beverages and to
steer toward water and reduced-calorie fruit juices. Tomato and vegetable juices should
be reduced-sodium in order to avoid excessive sodium intake. Lemonade-4 ounces of
reconstituted lemon juice in 2 quarts of water, sweeten to taste with sugar or artificial
sweetener. It is important to distribute fluid intake throughout the day, including at
bedtime, for maximum stone prevention. Maintain a urine output of at least 2000cc
every day (approximately 2 quarts). If you are taking in enough fluids your urine should
look clear, not yellow or cloudy.
2. Your diet should be limited in oxalate (brewed tea, chocolate, spinach, Vitamin C, dark
beer) and salt (tomato juice, potato chips, fast foods, sauerkraut, mustard, pickles). To
decrease the amount of oxalate you absorb from a given meal, drink a glass of milk or
eat a cup of yogurt with each meal. A thorough oxalate list can be found on the website
of the Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation (http://www.ohf.org/diet.html).
3. Limit the amount of sodium to 2500 mg/day or less. 2500 mg is equivalent to about 1
teaspoon of table salt. Reduce high-sodium foods, such as canned soups and vegetables,
deli and luncheon meats, cheeses, restaurant or fast foods, convenience foods, salted
snack foods. Eat more fresh foods. Instead of salt or seasonings containing sodium, use
fresh lemons, herbs, or spices. Check labels for ingredients and hidden sodium, such as
monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda or baking powder),
disodium phosphate, sodium alginate, and sodium nitrate or nitrite. Look for canned,
boxed, frozen, and prepared foods with less than 300 mg of sodium per serving.
4. Avoid heavy intake of red meat protein. Limit daily protein intake to 8-12 ounces per
day of beef, poultry, fish, and pork. Twelve ounces is equivalent in size to about three
decks of cards. Increase protein intake from other sources, such as beans, grains and
vegetables.
5. Include adequate amount of calcium in your diet. Have 2 to 3 servings of dairy a day
distributed evenly among meals and snacks (less dairy may increase stones);
1 serving = 1 cup of yogurt or milk, 1 1/2 ounces of cheese, 1⁄2 cup of cottage cheese.