THE PATIENT EDUCATION piece “Tips for Preventing Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones” was developed as a tool to instruct patients on the recommended nutrition treatment for nephrolithiasis. It is specific for calcium oxalate kidney stones.

Calcium and Oxalate

Oxalate binds to calcium in your stomach and intestines. When this happens, the oxalate won’t be able to get into your kidneys where it can form stones. Therefore, you should consume a moderate amount of calcium to bind the oxalate and help prevent kidney stone formation.

Include 2 or 3 servings of dairy foods every day. It is best to get your calcium from food rather than from supplements. If you do take calcium pills, take them with your meals.

Many foods contain oxalates, but only a few will result in high levels of oxalate in the urine. Avoid these high-oxalate foods:

Drink More Fluid

You should drink at least 443.60ml of liquid each day.

This will dilute your urine and reduce the concentration of harmful substances that may cause kidney stones to form. At least half of the liquid you drink each day should be water.

Eat Less Salt/Sodium

Limit table salt to no more than ¼ teaspoon a day—measure it!

Omit salt in cooking; add ¼ teaspoon to fresh or prepared food to maximize flavor.

Only occasionally eat foods that are high in salt/sodium. These include the following:

Processed meats like bologna, hot dogs, and sausage; most fast foods; convenience foods; soup mixes, frozen soup, and canned soup; salted snack foods; boxed mixes for entrees or side dishes; high-sodium condiments such as pickles, olives, soy sauce, and steak sauce.

Limit Animal Protein

A high-protein diet can increase the oxalate level of your urine.

59ml serving is about the size of a deck of cards.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C may also be a problem because it can be converted to oxalate.

Do not consume more than 500 mg of vitamin C each day. This includes vitamin C from the foods you eat and from any oral supplement you may take.