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Published on: 7/15/2026
What are the recommended diet for kidney stones ? Are there things to avoid?
Kidney stone diet recommendations focus on three key strategies: drinking plenty of water (aim for 2-3 liters daily), consuming adequate calcium-rich foods, and limiting certain foods like those high in sodium, oxalates, and animal protein. Staying well-hydrated helps dilute urine and prevent stone formation, while dietary calcium binds to oxalates in the gut, reducing kidney stone risk.
Because kidney stone symptoms can overlap with other serious conditions—and dietary needs vary based on stone type—it's important to understand what's actually causing your symptoms before making changes. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insights and clearer next steps in just a few minutes.
Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026
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Among urinary stones, especially upper urinary stones such as kidney stones and ureteral stones, it is important to prevent recurrence. Fluid intake, eating foods with calcium and avoiding certain foods based on your kidney stone type is important.
Fluid Intake
One of the most important ways to prevent kidney stones is to prevent dehydration. A dehydrated state is a set-up for kidney stone formation. Hence, you want to aim for a daily urine output of more than 2.5 liters per day. Even though solid foods also contain fluid, it is recommended you drink at least 2.5 liters of fluid per day, which is a bit over a 1/2 gallon of fluid per day. During hot weather, such as in summer, be particularly careful of dehydration and ensure adequate hydration.
Foods Rich in Calcium
The most common component of urinary stones is calcium oxalate (90%). Consuming increased calcium intake reduces the absorption rate of oxalate by binding calcium and oxalate together in the digestive tract. Therefore, consuming foods rich in calcium has been shown to lower the rate of kidney stone recurrence.
Foods to avoid
Oxalate-containing foods
Spinach, many berries, chocolate, wheat bran, nuts, beets, tea and rhubarb should be eliminated from your diet intake if you have calcium oxalate stones. Beverages high in oxalate include green tea, black tea, coffee, and cocoa.
Purine-containing foods
To prevent uric acid stones, moderate or avoid foods high in purines. Foods high in purines include meat, seafood, and dried foods. Additionally, alcohol may contain purines, and it triggers the liver to produce purines.
Excessive salt intake
High sodium increases calcium in the urine which can worsen kidney stone formation. Furthermore, excessive intake of salt can is not good for your blood pressure and overall kidney health.
Protein
High protein consumption leads to the production of calcium, which can then lead to more oxalate stones. If you're experiencing symptoms that may be related to kidney stones, use our free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine if you need medical attention.
(References)
Zayed S, Goldfarb DS, Joshi S. Popular Diets and Kidney Stones. Adv Kidney Dis Health. 2023 Nov;30(6):529-536. doi: 10.1053/j.akdh.2023.10.002. PMID: 38453270.
Siener R. Nutrition and Kidney Stone Disease. Nutrients. 2021 Jun 3;13(6):1917. doi: 10.3390/nu13061917. PMID: 34204863; PMCID: PMC8229448.
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