with Jill Harris, LPN, CHC
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50 Food Myths
Think you’re doing everything right? These common myths might be raising your kidney stone risk. When trying to prevent kidney stones, there’s nothing more frustrating than hearing conflicting advice. Should you stop dairy? Is lemon juice a cure-all? Does spinach count as a superfood or a stone-maker? I’ve spent the…
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Idiopathic Hypercalciuria—What It Is and How to Manage It
Have you ever been told you have too much calcium in your urine, but your blood calcium is totally normal? Then, you may have something called idiopathic hypercalciuria, or IH for short. Idiopathic means there’s no clear medical cause like a tumor or gland issue. Hypercalciuria means your body is…
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The Hidden Stone Risks No One Talks About
We talk a lot about diet and fluids when it comes to preventing kidney stones (because they matter!), but many people don’t realize that certain medical conditions can also make stones more likely. If you have any of the conditions below, it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to get a stone—but…
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The Silent Stone Maker
If you’ve had a 24-hour urine test that shows high calcium, and you’re still forming stones despite following the Kidney Stone Diet®, you need to know about Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).
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Uric Acid Stones: What They Are, Why You’re Making Them, and How to Stop Them
These stones are different from the more common calcium-based ones. But here’s the great news: uric acid stones are one of the most preventable stones.
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How to Manage Calcium Phosphate Stones
Why Am I Making Calcium Phosphate Stones? You may feel frustrated and confused if you’ve been told you have calcium phosphate stones. Most kidney stone advice is for calcium oxalate stones, which are more common. Calcium phosphate stones are different and don’t always respond to the same prevention strategies. In…
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The Silent Weight of Care
I lost my mother a couple of years ago, and I’m lucky enough to have my father still. I also have other people in my life who I regard as parents and who are well into their 80s. Some of these loved ones are well, and some are not. I…
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The Pros and Cons of Protein Powders
Many plant-based protein powders can contain ingredients like spinach, beetroot, and other high oxalate ingredients. They are a hard no. Look at the one you are using and check your oxalate list.
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Potassium Citrate: Miracle Stone Stopper or Medical Myth?
Potassium citrate—many are on it, many more might benefit from it. To see if this little pill is a good addition to YOUR kidney stone prevention tool kit, get a 24-hour urine collection—it’ll tell you everything you need to know. What does potassium citrate do? When you take potassium citrate,…
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Kidney Stone Prevention: What Most People Get Wrong
Oxalate. A word you’d never heard before your kidney stone encounter. It is such a small word, but boy does it bring about a lot of confusion and anxiety with my patients. I understand. But here is some excellent news… Oxalate is the LEAST important part of the Kidney Stone…
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Who Is Nurse Jill?
If you’re new here, allow me to introduce myself… I’m Jill Harris—Your Kidney Stone Prevention Nurse I’ve been a nurse since 1998, starting my career at the University of Chicago. Early on, however, I realized I wanted to do more than care for patients AFTER they landed in the hospital—I…
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How Much Oxalate Is Too Much? Simple Ways to Reduce It.
You made kidney stones (if your oxalate was the reason) because you overate spinach, almonds, cashews, chia seeds, and gobs of peanut butter every day without getting your calcium needs met—the end.
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A Guide to Eating Healthier Fast Food
Managing a diet while on a road trip is challenging for anybody, but especially for kidney stone patients. That’s why I created this little guide for choosing healthier options at popular fast food restaurants. Key points to remember: This guide features: Remember to always confirm ingredients when ordering because menus do…
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How to Read a Nutrition Label
First, let’s talk about the fine print on those nutrition labels—you know, the part where it says something like: “Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.” Sound familiar? If your eyes usually glaze over when…
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Pro Tips for Creating an Active Lifestyle
Here we are, two weeks into January. How are your fitness goals coming along? Are you still going strong or have you started waning yet? I help people prevent kidney stones and lose weight. I love my work and I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to watch people change…
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25 Ways to Eat More Fruit
I’ve talked about the many ways to add more vegetables into your diet—now it’s time to tackle your fruit intake. This list is for you if you need increase the amount of fruit in your diet, but don’t have diabetes or other medical conditions that require you to limit natural sugars. If you…
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How I maintain my weight and fitness
I get a lot of questions about how exactly I maintain my weight. Today, I will share what I do daily to keep my weight healthy, my body fit, and my mind clear of negative self-talk, which so many people struggle with.
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No more excuses. Eat your darn veggies!
As you may have noticed, I am on a mission to get you to eat more fruits and veggies this year. So many of my patients tell me they don’t eat vegetables because they don’t know what to do with them! If I’m being honest…I was in the same boat…
“The Kidney Stone Diet is far more than just a diet; this plan is life-altering!”
“The group calls will transform you physically and emotionally. Once you start this journey, your health naturally improves. I have lost a total of 40 pounds and have consistently kept it off. The group calls are such support; this is more like family than a zoom meeting to stay accountable. Jill is far more than a nurse; she is a life coach. Her platform is invaluable.”
Kim J. | Kidney Stone Prevention Course
“The best decision I’ve made has been to join this group.”
“I have been working on weight loss for many years. This group has kept me on track and has helped my continued success with my weight loss.”
Kate L. | Group Calls with Jill
“I have been following the Meal Plan for about 6 weeks and I feel amazing.”
“Eating healthy has also encouraged me to go to bed earlier, so I am also getting more sleep. Because of that, I have been able to get up before work and exercise! So yes, the positive effects are spilling over into all areas of a healthy lifestyle.”
Jerry T. | Meal Plan Subscriber
“I have been a part of the group calls with Jill for the last 14 months, and they are essential to being so successful with the Kidney Stone Diet Prevention Plan.”
Sarah B. | Group Calls with Jill
“These calls are the gold of this program!!”
“I can’t say enough about how Jill knows just the right questions to ask us or how she prods us to think about what is going on in our lives.”
Monica K. | Group Calls with Jill
“I took the course with Jill, and my second 24 hour urine was MUCH better than the first.”
“She gives very practical information, and it WORKS. I was totally overwhelmed at first. I got very poor diet information from my doctors. Jill made it easy for me to understand, and I took it one day at a time. I still watch her videos when I need a tune-up. Jill is the best, and she really cares about all of us. Take the course—it will help you!!!”
Mark J. | Kidney Stone Prevention Course