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 of helping people bring healthy foods back into their diet in a safe and enjoyable way.
What Can I Eat?
Patients are overwhelmed and scared by the time they find me. Once they learn that healthy plant foods have caused their stones, they cut out all fruits and veggies. Many patients tell me they have nothing to eat. Well I am here to tell you– you have plenty to eat.
What is the best Oxalate List?
Dr. Coe and I rely on the Harvard oxalate list as a source because it has worked for our patients for many years. However, you need to know HOW to use the list to effectively in order to lower the quantity of high oxalate food you eat. It can be quite challenging to do this and simultaneously incorporate all the other advice we give you.
Portion Size Is Key
Even with healthy foods we need to watch our portions. Just because almonds are the latest healthy food, that doesn’t mean we should be eating them all day long. I can’t tell you how many of my male clients say, “I was just eating a few handfuls here and there”. Guys, look at the size of your hands. They can hold a ton of almonds. And all those almonds happen to be very high in oxalate.
Ladies, how much spinach are you putting in your salads? Spinach might be called a superfood but that doesn’t mean eating 7 cups a day of spinach is super for you.
If you really watch your portion size on higher oxalate foods, you can bring some of those foods back into your diet. I do recommend patients eliminate spinach and substitute kale because spinach is just too high in oxalate. I also tell patients to substitute pistachio nuts and sunflower seeds for almonds, another high oxalate food. Even with lower oxalate substitutions, it is important to watch portions on these lower oxalate nuts. If you come to my classes, you will learn all about the portions that are right for you.
Eat Healthy Without Raising Your Oxalate
You can keep eating healthy. You just need to learn how to do incorporate fruits and veggies into your diet without raising your oxalate levels. This is why Dr. Coe and I started The Kidney Stone Prevention Course. In the course, you will learn how to bring back your favorite healthy foods – without increasing your oxalate level. I have had patients with oxalate levels well over 100. After they took the course, they lowered their oxalate levels into the 20’s. Read how a private client of mine lowered her oxalate from the 120’s to 29. Her vegan lifestyle brought about her stones, but with careful planning she has maintained her vegan diet and lowered her oxalate. She did it and you can too!
Yes, I believe WW plan did me in. I now need to not give up plant foods but find alternatives that let me keep losing fat and building muscle. Quite a challenge!
Hi Judy,
Many of my patients lose weight while working with me. Join my online course or do a private and I can help you sort it all out. It is not as confusing as it may seem! Promise!
Best, Jill
Dear Judy,
You definitely DO NOT need to give up plant foods. There are so many plant options for stone formers to eat. I truly don’t recommend that for anybody trying to put together a healthy diet. Read this:https://kidneystonediet.com/did-your-healthy-diet-cause-your-kidney-stone/
Best, Jill
Hi, I found you after my oxalate calcium was 738. The test came about as I am a kidney donor for a dear friend. Doctors advised a local dietitian but I feel the cost is too high. 165.00$ for a45 minute consult. I am 67, 135 lbs female. What part of your program would u recommend
Hi Donna,
The course is an excellent value- you get gain lifetime access to nearly 5 hours of stone prevention education through video and then also get to come to my group q and a calls for a month- five times per week.
Hope that helps-
J
Is the Harvard oxalate list in print? I would rather have it easily in my hands than try and find it on line every time I want to see it.
Thanks
You can print it or put it in your phone like an app- go here for how to do that-https://kidneystonediet.com/help/
Hi Jill
Lately, the Mayo
Clinic did a study which showed that there is no proof that diet is connected with recurring kidney stones. But more drinking a lot of water. Intake calcium, etc. And I think portions, too.
This seems to be contrary to Harvard. Where do you stand on this latest finding. (I am truly confused.)
Looking forward to your response.
Thank you.
Donna Dickson
Hi Donna,
Sure would like to see that study. I will look for it. Here is what I can tell you, I have been helping patients reduce their stone risk for 23 years. The diet works. If Mayo is talking about portions, calcium, and water, they are talking about diet. But they must be talking about salt and sugar, too as these two things definitely increase urine calcium.
Spinach and almonds must have done me in. For 4 years I consistently ate a huge spinach salad topped with slivered almonds, oranges, and grilled chicken at least 3 times a week at work. I was serious about losing weight. Well I lost about 150 pounds during that time, so it worked! I traded body fat for kidney stones! I have given up the spinach and almonds completely and have continued to lose 45 more pounds following your daily goals (plus a few of my own). Thank you for your dietary guidance. I was very overwhelmed in the beginning, but it all make sense now.
Hi Kathy.
You better believe that this is all very overwhelming when you first start. Glad to hear you are taking it all to heart and working hard. So awesome. I am proud of YOU!
j