What foods should patients with stones avoid eating?
Aug 30, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Patients with stones should avoid consuming foods high in oxalate, purines, calcium, and salt, as well as sugary beverages, as these may increase the risk of stone formation or worsen the condition. In daily life, in addition to managing stones through dietary adjustments, it is important to ensure adequate fluid intake. A daily water intake of more than 2000 milliliters is recommended to increase urine output and facilitate the passage of small stones.
Generally, patients with stones should avoid consuming high-oxalate foods, high-purine foods, high-calcium foods, high-sodium foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages, as these foods may increase the risk of stone formation or worsen existing conditions. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. High-oxalate foods: Such as spinach, amaranth, strong tea, chocolate, and others with high oxalate content. Oxalate easily combines with calcium in the body to form calcium oxalate, which is a common type of stone. Excessive intake may increase the risk of stone formation or enlargement.
2. High-purine foods: Such as animal offal, seafood, and concentrated meat broths, which are high in purines. Purines are metabolized into uric acid in the body. Excess uric acid can easily form uric acid stones and may worsen the condition of patients who already have uric acid stones.
3. High-calcium foods: Such as milk, cheese, and tofu, which are rich in calcium. Although calcium is an essential element for the human body, excessive intake by stone patients can easily combine with oxalate, uric acid, and others to form stones, and intake should be controlled under professional guidance.
4. High-sodium foods: Such as preserved products, pickled vegetables, and processed meats, which are high in salt. A high-salt diet increases calcium excretion in urine, raising the calcium concentration in urine and indirectly increasing the likelihood of stone formation.
5. Sugar-sweetened beverages: Such as cola and fruit drinks, which are high in sugar. Excessive sugar can promote uric acid production in the body and may also affect calcium metabolism, increasing the risk of stone formation.
In daily life, besides managing stones through dietary adjustments, it is also important to ensure adequate water intake. A daily water intake of more than 2000 milliliters is recommended to increase urine output and promote the excretion of small stones. Urinary retention should also be avoided, and regular sleep patterns and appropriate mild physical activity are beneficial for reducing stone formation and recurrence.
