Kidneys and Kidney Stones
Many people with kidney stones suffer from dehydration. While you have the kidney stone, drink 2 ½ to 3 quarts of water every day. Once the stone has passed, resume a normal daily dose of 1 glass every two waking hours. Hydration is the single most important tactic in the treatment and prevention of kidney stones. If you must eat animal products, stick to lean, high-quality sources of white meat. A magnesium deficiency has been linked to recurring kidney stones. Ensure you eat plenty of:
- Almonds
- Apples
- Bananas
- Beans
- Celery
- Fish
- Fresh – raw vegetables
- Green leafy vegetables
- Kelp
- Kidney Beans
- Lemon juice (mixed with a little hot water)
- Nuts
- Oat and Wheat Bran (daily)
- Orange juice
- Parsley
- Pumpkin seed (1/4 cup daily)
- Seeds
- Soybeans
- Watermelon
- Whole grains
Eliminate foods that contain high amounts of oxalic acid from your diet. By far, the worst offenders are:
- Alcohol
- Almonds
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Beets
- Caffeine
- Celery
- Concord Grapes
- Cocoa
- Collards
- Dairy Products (milk, cheese, ice cream)
- Eggplant
- Grapefruit (studies show that grapefruit increases the risk of kidney stones)
- Parsley
- Peanuts
- Red meat
- Rhubarb
- Refined Sugar (soft drinks that contain phosphoric acid)
- Salt (reduce the intake)
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Summer squash
- Sweet Potatoes
- Tomatoes