with Jill Harris, LPN, CHC
After 21 years in the stone prevention sector, I feel blessed and grateful that I continue to have a gratifying career. As a nurse, it is one of my greatest passions to help patients understand that diet and lifestyle choices make a difference in maintaining a healthy body and mind. But what about the patients …
Here is a lunch option that is quick and easy for diabetic and keto diet peeps. You can do whatever lunch meat you like with any cheese you like. You’ll note that this is a higher sodium option. You will not be perfect each day with your sodium goals, don’t let that deter you from …
In all my years of talking with patients and students about kidney stone prevention, not one of them has said to me, “Oh Jill, don’t worry. I get plenty of calcium each day.” Most adults don’t get anywhere near the amount of calcium they need. The National Osteoporosis Foundation “recommends that women aged 50 and …
This article is for you, my dear vegan and vegetarian stone formers. I know you’ve been using soy, tofu, beans, and nuts to meet your daily protein goals. In the meantime, however, you unknowingly overate some of the highest oxalate foods, which in turn led to your kidney stone(s). I can hear many of you …
This dish is a higher oxalate but very low sodium and low added sugar. Just like everything in life, you can’t always meet all your goals perfectly. But, remember, unless your doc has told you otherwise, you get up to 100 mg of oxalate per day. This dish certainly doesn’t break your bank, and you …
Everyone needs to have a burger here and there. This one is a 4ounce turkey burger, but you can have whatever meat you like. Vegan and vegetarians watch out for all the extra sodium in the meat-free versions. They are extremely processed, but of course, you can have them—just make sure to account for the …
I know many of you will say, “Oh my, she has finally gone off the deep end. Sweet potatoes AND sunflower seeds in the same dish?” Why yes, guess what, you can have it. Notice the oxalate level in one bowl is around 23mg. This is why I scream about portion all the time. You …
I love chicken soup. It is the ultimate low cal, comfort food. I also love that I can find pre-cut soup veggies at Trader Joe’s and a rotisserie chicken at the market, which is a huge time saver. I used the lowest sodium stock I could find at 35 mg/cup. The rotisserie chicken I picked …
I am writing this during the pandemic and have found that I have too many bananas in my house that need to be dealt with right now. I also had a sugar tooth, so I thought I’d whip up some no-added-sugar cookies. Think banana bread but in cookie form! As you can imagine, I do …
I must admit, I have never been a fan of pancakes in the morning. They are highly caloric and might as well be cake. I know. I’m a party pooper. But, I know my patients like to eat them, so I made a healthier recipe to make us happy. There is no added sugar, and …
Who doesn’t love grilled cheese? I must admit, I don’t usually eat grilled cheese, but I had a taste for one. Since we’re always trying to get enough daily calcium, I thought this would be a gooey and delicious way to do it. I used riced cauliflower instead of bread to make the sandwich, and …
The year is nearly over, and I think, for the most part, we can all agree that we are ready for 2021. I am. I’m pretty busy these days with private clients, more than usual. It’s no surprise that many of them are calling me for weight loss help as staying home and being stressed …
We’re always looking for healthy “grab-and-go” snack options—something we can throw in our purse or backpack in case we get stuck somewhere and need a little somethin’ somethin’! Well, these granola bars fit the bill because they’re lower sodium with no added sugar and they contain lots of healthy lower oxalate seeds that will add …
It was a rainy, cold, deep fall day when I made this wrap—it totally hit the spot. I liked it because it came to me out of nowhere. I simply had some portabello mushrooms in my fridge and it was a do or throw out situation. Next thing you know I made this delicious, savory, …
I know. You are looking at this and thinking, “this is NOT a pizza, Jill.” Well, fair enough, but it is a tasty way to get your calcium needs met. My patients come to me thinking they need to focus on oxalate, but truly, one of the more challenging elements of the Kidney Stone Diet …
I made this kidney stone-safe granola after hearing from so many patients who miss having it for long walks, quick snacks, or throwing in a bag for those times when we need a little something during the day. Unfortunately, most granolas are made with high oxalate nuts (like almonds) and are, therefore, a no-go for …
Fall always has me excited to reach for cozy sweaters and hot bowls of chili. So, I made a delicious kidney stone-safe version for us all to try! Note that I took out the traditional black beans and replaced them with green beans. Remember folks, this is a portion game, and although green beans have …
In these posts, I like to address the topics I hear about most frequently from patients and Facebook Group Members. The common topic in the group this week has been eating while away from home (or ordering take-out food). This is a common dilemma for so many of my patients. What can we do to …
Over the years, I’ve had many patients confide in me about their daily diet habits. I always feel so honored that people trust me and feel safe enough to discuss their routines – this can be difficult. One typical unhealthy pattern I find people stuck in is the binge-purge cycle. Now, I’m not talking about …
The first thing I want to tell you about 24-hour urine collections is that they are vital in determining what is causing your stones. Your results will show diet issues and/or other medical conditions that could be the culprit. Many doctors don’t order them initially and will say, “let’s just wait for the second episode …
I have not eaten alfredo sauce in decades. As a kid, I absolutely loved it. Who doesn’t? It’s rich, creamy goodness! Unfortunately, that goodness comes with a whole bunch of calories, so I’ve avoided it like the plague for most of my life. Lately, though, I’ve been craving it. So I made a healthier version. …
This simple, tasty salad is another quick way to get your calcium while keeping oxalate intake low. I swapped out the traditional tomatoes used in Caprese salads for sweeter, lower-oxalate strawberries, and, for a little tang, we finish it off with a drizzle of balsamic dressing. Mozzarella is a good lower sodium, higher calcium cheese …
For those of you living the low carb lifestyle, this avocado chicken salad is super easy to make, very satisfying, high in fiber, and a great lower-oxalate recipe. The chicken is a portion of a one pound chicken breast that I sautéed in a pan. I use the remaining chicken throughout the week in different …
Here we have high calcium, lower oxalate breakfast option. You can have this any time, but I like getting some of my calcium needs met at the start of the day. The avocado is a wonderful source of healthy fat and fiber, which helps sustain you throughout the morning. You will note that I did …
Start your day with some fiber and calcium! Overnights oats can be made in a matter of minutes the night or day before and is a great grab-and-go breakfast. One of the many reasons I like it is you can tailor it to your taste. I love this one for fall and throughout the holiday …
Use this smoothie as your template and as a way to get added calcium into your diet. If you are a diabetic or are on a low carb diet, you may not want to use bananas as your fruit. Remember, your lifestyle, your choice. Use any other low oxalate fruit(s) you like. I choose bananas …
These are really known as “Jeannette’s muffins” as it’s my dear friend, Jeannette, who first shared them with me. The recipe has been modified to lower sugar, oxalate, and sodium to make them Kidney Stone Diet-Approved. Remember, make these to accommodate your taste. I like cranberries, but you may not, so use any low oxalate …
Let’s talk about smoothies and the role they play in your stone formation and overall health. Of course, there are many dietary reasons that we form kidney stones. Today, however, we’re going to narrow our focus to smoothies because they are a popular option for stone formers. Smoothies and Kidney Stones. I am not about …
If you’re a member of my Facebook page, you know that exercise is crucial to my well being and so I want to share some tips to get you started on your own fitness journey. Being in good health starts with diet. This is a must, but incorporating physical activity is essential for keeping your …
A common question from patients is, “what snacks can I eat on the Kidney Stone Diet?” Paying attention to sodium, sugar, and oxalate limits can make snack time a little challenging but it’s important to treat yourself here and there in order to stay compliant with a healthy lifestyle. Deprivation works for some, but not …
Every year nearly one million Americans suffer through the severe pain of kidney stones, yet most kidney stones are completely avoidable. The Kidney Stone Diet will not only decrease your likelihood of taking a ride in an ambulance due to a kidney stone, but it may also help you with other medical conditions such as …
From my personal experience, I can tell you that most of my patients do not understand the role that sugar plays in their kidney stone disease. There are two reasons sugar is a problem. One reason is that too much sugar can leach calcium from the bone and into the urine. And the second is …
I have a secret that I need to share with you. I am nearly 56 years old and just started cooking less than 2 years ago. I was always lucky enough to have my partners prepare the meals. I did the dishes. I thought it was a great deal for me as they were terrific …
Passing a kidney stone is one of the most painful health experiences a person can go through in their lifetime. There are many pills, powders, and potions sold each year to patients who will do anything to avoid that hell ever again. These “remedies” promise patients that they will break up present stones and/or …
The Hard Truth. I am fully aware as I write this article that it’s not going to win me any friends. But I don’t do what I do to win friends. I do what I do to help people. My goal is to always be honest and frank with all of you. Sometimes that means …
Often patients come to me after being on a high protein diet for weight loss or to control their diabetes. They lost weight or controlled their blood sugar better, but gained a kidney stone as a result of eating too much protein. Most of my patients got a stone because they ate too much of …
I am not a fan of fad diets. I am the ultimate party pooper when it comes to Keto, Paleo, cleanses, juicing, or any other diet that promises quick results. As a matter of fact, my friends have stopped bringing the topic up as they know I will do a quick eye-roll even though I …
I want to share some good news—I have created a new safe oxalate list that makes the original Harvard list easier to use by showing only the foods you CAN have! What makes the Simple & Safe Oxalate List different? There are two things that are different from the original list. First, you will no …
Did your doctor tell you to stop all dairy once you formed a stone? If so, you are not alone. Many doctors tell their patients to stop eating foods that contain calcium. The problem with this advice is that eliminating calcium from your diet can cause stones. Most stone formers, in fact, most adults, are …
Low Sodium Diet Every time I speak to patients about lowering the sodium in their diets the first thing they tell me is, “I don’t use a salt shaker”. That is a good start but there are so many ways for salt to creep into your diet even if you never use a salt shaker. …
Many kidney stone patients come to me after trying to lower their urinary oxalate levels on their own. They want to avoid forming more kidney stones but find the recommended dietary changes frustrating and confusing. They believe they have to limit or eliminate foods they have always enjoyed and considered healthy. As a nurse, I …
Because the pain from a kidney stone is so severe and unpredictable, those who have ever experienced even one stone dread getting another. Patients in my practice tell me over and over again how scared they are of forming another stone. I wanted to learn as much as I could about everything that bothers them …
Most of my patients come to me saying… “I finally started eating healthy, I lost 63 pounds, and then I got a stone.” Now what? It can be very frustrating to realize your “healthy” diet is the reason you made a kidney stone. I often find my job as a kidney stone prevention educator consists …
Patients ask me every day what they can do to reduce their risk of kidney stones. Here is a list of 5 things you must do if you want to prevent new stones. Learn WHY You Are Forming Kidney Stones Stone analysis, blood, and 24-hour urine tests are key to finding out why you are …
Click here to read part one. Unbeknownst to me at the time, my cancer journey was far from over. I got through the treatment, the surgeries, and more treatment — that went on until July 2015. It was rough for my entire family, but we made it, a bit tattered and worn from the emotional …
This story starts several years ago in 2009. One day I woke up and I had blood in my urine. As a nurse, I knew that this meant I either had a kidney stone or I had cancer. Turns out, it was the latter. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 bladder cancer. The surgery was …
I have heard this one million times from patients in my practice. Make stones? Drink water. Water, water, and more water. Drink it all day long, all night long. Just drink water. What about other fluids? Are they safe? Are they high in oxalate? Will they count toward your daily intake? Is caffeine a problem? Read the …
Many patients assume that they are forming calcium stones and should therefore limit their calcium intake. That assumption could not be more wrong. Low calcium diet won’t stop your stones and may even increase your risk. Lets not forget that our bones are in desperate need of calcium to avoid osteopenia and osteoporosis. But, many …