Kidney Stone Diet

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How to Prevent Kidney Stones Through Portion Control

by Jill Harris, LPN, CHC on Jun 20, 2019

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 I write or talk about topics people don’t want to hear or read about. But if you know me, even a little, you know that won’t stop me!

Over 70% of men and women are considered overweight or obese. That is a staggering number!

Why? How did so many people become overweight?

Let’s take a look at how the size of a portion of a few common foods has changed from the 1950s to now.

Food.
Bagels
Cheeseburger
Popcorn medium bag
Soda
Blueberry muffin

Then.
3 inches
4.5 ounces
5 cups
6.5 ounce
1.5 ounces

Now.
6 inches
8 ounces
11 cups
20 ounces
5 ounces


Overeating Healthy Foods.

It is very common for patients to report that they “ate too much spinach” or “too many handfuls of nuts” per day prior to their new kidney stone. Unfortunately, even healthy foods should not be thought of as “free foods” that can be eaten whenever one wishes and in any sized portion.


Second Helpings.

Why do we go back for a second helping? Many say that they are still hungry so I ask my patients to ask themselves if they really are hungry or are they just mindlessly putting more food on their plate. Perhaps going back for a second helping is simply a habit. Next time, take a moment to relax before getting up to go for more food. You might just be surprised to see you don’t want the extra helping.


Clean Plate Club.

I was raised in a house (as many were) where it was expected you would finish all food on your plate. If you didn’t finish the food on your plate, you didn’t get dessert. Being the sweet lover that I was, I always cleaned my plate. Not a crumb was left and to this day, even with what I do for a living, it is rare that I get up from the table without finishing everything on my plate.

Since I know myself well, I have created workarounds so I don’t overeat. I use dessert or salad plates, not dinner plates (in the 60’s plates were 7-9 inches across, today they are 12), for all my meals. I pick healthier foods to make up the largest portion on my plate, and I do my best to eat slowly. I am known around town as a fast eater, so this is hard for me, but I try to be mindful of my shortcomings.


Something You Should Know About Nutrition Labels and Portion Size.

The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 require that serving sizes listed on the nutrition label mirror current eating habits. This means the serving size will reflect how much people eat, not what they SHOULD eat. As I stated before, since we are eating so much more of most foods than we did decades ago, the serving sizes on food labels increased accordingly.

The FDA explains that a serving of ice cream, for example, which for many decades had been listed as a one-half cup, has now grown to two-thirds of a cup. And a serving of soda, long 8 ounces, is now 12 ounces. Here is an image of the new label that is currently being updated.


Visual Cues.

This link will help you get a mental picture of what your portion of meat, fat, carb, veggie, or fruit should look like. What you think a serving of pasta is and what it SHOULD be are two totally different things. Before you click the link, know that you will be shocked.


Dining Out Tips.

I do not eat out very much. There are a couple of reasons why. First of all, it is expensive and I would rather spend my money elsewhere, and it is too difficult to find healthy options. Not impossible, just difficult.

The portions served in restaurants are generally quite large. That justifies the big price. I know people who judge the restaurant not by the taste, but by the amount of food on their plate. The more food, the happier they are.

I have many patients who really struggle when eating out with how to make healthy choices. The challenge is the same whether you eat out for fun, for work, or for convenience. Here are some tips I hope will help you whilst out and about.

  1. Consider ordering a couple of healthier appetizers instead of ordering one big entree.
  2. Split your meal with your dining partner.
  3. Ask the server to wrap up half for lunch tomorrow before it comes to your table.
  4. Pass on dessert and appetizer or at the very least one or the other.
  5. Skip the carb and substitute extra veggies.
  6. Request that the server keep the bread basket in the kitchen.
  7. Too much alcohol can lead to bad decision making when ordering and is a source of extra calories.
  8. Check the menu online and plan on what you will eat BEFORE you get there.
  9. Have a broth-based soup or light dinner salad before dinner to fill you up.
  10. Order all sauces on the side or better yet, do without.

Portion NOT Perfection.

This mantra is something my patients are very familiar with. I say this multiple times a day. Sometimes you will want to treat yourself and have food that might not be the healthiest for you. The only way one can stay compliant for the long haul is to incorporate favorite desserts or a glass of wine here and there. When you do choose a treat, the portion is key. Have a little piece of cake or one scoop of ice cream. Stay away from foods that you will not be able to control very well. We all have them. Mine is Cheez-it crackers. I don’t buy them because it would be impossible for me to eat a small portion.

One goal of the Kidney Stone Prevention Program is to teach patients about managing portions. Whether someone is trying to bring back healthy foods they thought they couldn’t eat or control unhealthy foods they think they shouldn’t eat, the size of a portion is key. Be kind and patient with yourself. It takes time to change long-standing habits; nothing happens overnight.


Have a Question?

If you have any questions about cutting back on portion sizes, send me an email and we can discuss!


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About the Author Jill Harris, LPN, CHC

Jill Harris is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who specializes in kidney stone prevention. Her goal is to teach you what you need to know and, more importantly, how to put that knowledge to work so you can stop forming stones. For good.

Comments

  1. Christina

    May 21, 2020 at 12:29 pm

    Hi there Jill !!! I just LOVE ALL the information you put together to help all of us to keep as healthy as we can !!! SO VERY much work on your part and I for one am very grateful that you as so passionate about what you do !!! HOWEVER……. I would pay ANY price if YOU could PLEASE come up with a Low Oxalate recipe book that is just as Kidney friendly as that awesome list of foods you have created !!!! PLEASE consider doing that !!!! Thank You Jill !!!

    Reply
    • Jill Harris

      May 21, 2020 at 10:50 pm

      Hi Christina,
      I am working on it as I write. It takes time, but I will start simple and perhaps make it an e-book so I can get it out and it is affordable for people.
      Stay Tuned!
      Jill

      Reply
      • Linda Guessoum

        January 15, 2022 at 7:42 am

        Hello Jill

        I converted to low oxylate diet in 2020
        I had only one 3mm stone blockage in March 2021(i have had 15 previous obsrtucive kidneys stones since 2012)

        1 saw a Parisian specialist who only sees people with 10 or more obstructive kidney stones this was 15th September 2021 at this time I was stone free
        She took me off low oxylate diet I was against it but I followed her orders
        I was unwell with my kidneys on 15th December I had a scan est voilà I had tiny stones in both kidneys
        SO I TOLD THE SPECIALIST BY LETTER I AM. ACK ON LOW OXYLATE DIET
        THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU

        Reply
        • Jill Harris, LPN, CHC

          January 15, 2022 at 10:31 am

          Hi Linda,
          Remember that there is so much more to the kidney stone diet than just the oxalate goal. How are you meeting the other parts of the diet? Salt, sugar, fluids, calcium, etc???

          Reply
  2. Edward Rodriguez

    January 15, 2022 at 9:09 am

    Interesting. I think back to when I was a kid and yes you were supposed to clean your plate. My parents grew up in a different era and did not realize they were helping us form bad habits. Deserts were not a motivation since we rarely had desert. You were told that there were kids starving in China, that you cannot waste food. Yes, normal restaurants serve too much food. Really good restaurants usually have the right portion for an average person. I usually share my meal with my wife or take it home for another meal or two. Now with respect to desert, if they have something I really like I will order it first and have it for my appetizer. Two reasons, first there have been occasions when they run out of the desert I want and then I don’t get it at all. Secondly, I can always take the other part of my meal home. Usually deserts are not as good the second day. Yes I know that is not what I am supposed to do but you know what, you only live once.

    Reply
    • Jill Harris, LPN, CHC

      January 15, 2022 at 10:33 am

      Hi Edward,
      You have to do what works for you in order for it all to work. I have no problem with your dessert thinking. Actually makes perfect sense. It is what we do every day that is a problem when it comes to overeating sugar. As always, I look forward to your insightful and honest thoughts.
      j

      Reply
  3. Cathie Janes

    January 15, 2022 at 2:23 pm

    Jill,

    So fortunate to have these e-mail reminders to stay on course! Might need to start carrying a pair of dice and a baseball with me for the literal visual!!
    Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, truth and humor with us all.

    Reply
    • Jill Harris, LPN, CHC

      February 1, 2022 at 9:45 am

      Hi Cathie,
      My pleasure.
      j

      Reply

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