Dietary Plan for Kidney Stones and Tips for Prevention

Kidney stones! The two words are enough to get anyone’s stomach churning. You, however, can beat this fear and lead a healthy life. Today, we will delve right into the world of kidney stones. Here we will discuss dietary management to keep the evil called kidney stones at bay. It is an ailment that affects many, but with the right approach, you can tackle it head on! Take care of your diet and consult doctors at the best hospital for kidney stone treatment in Ahmedabad to help out.

To begin with, let’s talk about the basics of this hyped ailment. Understanding kidney stones and the causes of them is the first step to prevent them. So, what are these stones and how do they form inside the human kidney? Kidney stones are hard deposits that form due to concentrated minerals. The saturation of minerals like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid increases in the urine which in turn crystallizes. These crystals can stick together and grow into larger stones over time. These stones thus result in intense pain when they try to pass through the urinary tract.

How to prevent these stones from wreaking havoc in your life? Well, it all starts with the diet. Below are some dietary guidelines to help you. 

1. Drink Lots of water

Staying hydrated can prevent most health problems. The same stands for kidney stones. Even the best doctors for kidney stone treatment in Ahmedabad recommend at least 8 glasses of water a day. Staying hydrated keeps the urine diluted and helps flush out the unwanted substances. If plain water is difficult, you can include herbal teas or lemon water to keep up your hydration levels.

2. Include Citrus Foods in your Diet

Citrus fruits contain citrate, which discourages stone formation. Therefore, include lemons, oranges, limes and other such citrus fruits in your diet. These will not only inhibit stone formation but also aid in staying hydrated.

3. Choose Calcium-Rich Foods

I bet the first thought in your mind after reading this is – how unreasonable. However, contrary to popular belief, including enough calcium in your diet can actually prevent kidney stones. Calcium will bind with the oxalates in the digestive track and prevent them from entering your bloodstream and finally urine. So dont cut down on dairy products and leafy greens.

4. Moderate Your Protein Consumption

Eating too much animal protein, especially red meat, may lead to an increase in uric acid levels. This again can increase the risk of certain types of stones. So aim for a balanced protein diet with a mix of plant and animal proteins. Include more plant based protein like beans, lentils, tofu and nuts.

5. Opt for Healthy Fats

Going for healthy fats like those in nuts and seeds instead of saturated fats of processed and fried foods go a long way. Healthy fats can reduce inflammation and improve your kidney health.

In addition to what you should include in your diet, here are some things you should avoid. Limit intake of sodium and oxalate-rich foods. This includes things like chocolate, beets, fast food, canned and processed food. Maintain distance from caffeine and alcohol as they lead to dehydration. Also, while calcium rich food is good, stay away from calcium supplements.

Now, after having our dietary priorities set, let’s talk about some practical tips to prevent kidney stones.

Tips to Prevent Kidney Stones

1. Stay Fit and Active:

To keep your body healthy, you need to exercise regularly. Staying active not only maintains your physical health but also keeps your organs at their prime. Take out at-least 30 mins in your daily schedule and devote them to exercise.

2. Don’t Hold it in:

Another thing to remember is, never hold your urine for an extended period of time. Holding it can lead to saturation of minerals and increase the risk of stones. So, heed the urge promptly.

3. Keep Track of your Medications

Some medicines like antibiotics, diuretics or antacids may increase the risk of stones. So, if you are taking any long term medication including the ones for blood pressure or diabetes, make sure to consult your doctor regularly, exercise and stay hydrated.

To sum up, kidney stones may be a menace, but don’t let them ruin your life. Following a healthy diet, staying hydrated and adopting healthy lifestyles go a long way to reduce the risk of stones. And despite the precautions, if you end up with a kidney stone, fret not and reach out to the best hospital for kidney stone treatment in your area.