with Jill Harris, LPN, CHC
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 …
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 …