OUTLINE OF ADVICE FOR KIDNEY STONE PATIENTS

by

Dr Peter Lim Huat Chye

Senior Consultant & Head,

Division of Urology,

Toa Payoh Hospital, SINGAPORE 1129.

INTRODUCTION:

Eating excessive sugar & animal protein (e.g. meat, milk) can cause changes in the chemical composition of the urine that lead to formation of stones. In contrast, eating plenty of cereal fibre may protect these patients from the abnormalities that lead to renal stones.

If you have a tendency to form renal stones, try to change your eating habits in the following ways:

* EAT PLENTY of cereal fibre with each meal. This can be done by
eating foods in

their natural unrefined form - e.g. wholemeal bread or bread with added bran.

High Bran breakfast cereal - All Bran, Weetabix, Shredded Wheat, Bran Flakes.

Use wholemeal flour in baking.

Wholegrain or brown rice

Wholemeal spaghetti /lasagne

& by adding bran to food. Two teaspoons of bran can be added to each helping of

soup, stew, mince, scrambled eggs, etc.

Eating plenty of fruit & vegetables will also help to increase your fibre intake.

Eat potatoes with their skins.

* CUT DOWN on animal protein, particularly meat. On average we
eat about twice as much protein as we need.

* AVOID EATING more than 2 items from the following list per day:

- 1 Egg

- 2 oz. cheese

- 1 Yogurt

- 3 oz. Cooked meat

* DO NOT DRINK more than 2/3 pint of milk a day

* AVOID refined foods, e.g. sugar & sugarly foods.

Cut out sugar in drinks

Avoid sweets, chocholates, soft drinks, tinned fruit, sweet cakes & biscuits.

* DRINK PLENTY OF WATER - aim for 5 pints ( 2 & a half litres) per day

Remember, clear water is better than sweetened drinks.

If you have been advised to avoid oxalate foods - avoid excessive consumption

of tea - especially strong tea & coffee. Avoid chocholate, peanuts, spinach,

rhubarb & beetroot.

NOTE: This advice is not a special diet. Many nutritionists would agree that it is

a very healthy eating pattern & is therefore suitable for everybody.