Is Eating Eggs Bad for Kidney Stones? What You Need to Know

November 14, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Kidney Foundation, limiting animal protein is a common dietary recommendation for preventing kidney stones. This raises a key question for many people: is eating eggs bad for kidney stones, or can they be part of a healthy diet?

Quick Summary

Excessive animal protein, including eggs, can increase the risk of forming certain kidney stones, particularly uric acid and calcium types. The risk is linked to overall protein load rather than oxalates.

Key Points

Moderation is key: Excessive consumption of eggs, like any animal protein, can increase the risk of kidney stones, particularly for those already prone to them.
Eggs have no oxalate: Eggs are not a source of oxalate, so they do not directly contribute to the formation of calcium oxalate stones through that pathway.
Protein affects urine chemistry: High animal protein intake increases urinary calcium and uric acid while lowering citrate, a natural inhibitor of stone formation.
Type of stone matters: For individuals with uric acid stones, the purine content in animal protein, including eggs, is a more significant concern due to its effect on urine acidity.
Consider plant-based alternatives: Replacing some animal protein with plant-based sources like beans, lentils, and nuts can help reduce risk and maintain a balanced diet.

The Complex Relationship Between Eggs and Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. While certain foods can increase the risk, the relationship isn't always straightforward. For eggs, the concern is less about specific minerals and more about their protein content and the impact it has on urine composition. Eggs themselves do not contain oxalates, a key component in the most common type of kidney stone (calcium oxalate). However, they are a source of animal protein, which, when consumed in excess, can increase the amount of calcium and uric acid in your urine, while also lowering levels of citrate, a natural stone inhibitor.

Eggs and Calcium Oxalate Stones

While the name "calcium oxalate stones" might lead you to believe you should cut all calcium, that's a common misconception. In fact, getting the right amount of dietary calcium can be protective. Eggs are not a major source of dietary calcium, so they don't play a significant role here. The real issue is the high animal protein content. When your body metabolizes large amounts of animal protein, it can lead to higher levels of calcium and lower levels of citrate in your urine, creating a more favorable environment for stone formation. Moderating your intake of all animal proteins, including eggs, is the key strategy here, not eliminating calcium-rich foods like dairy. Some guidelines even suggest that egg whites are a better option than yolks for certain stone types.

Eggs and Uric Acid Stones

For those prone to uric acid stones, the link to eggs is more direct. Uric acid stones are caused by too much acid in the urine, and animal proteins are a source of purines, which are metabolized into uric acid. Eggs contain purines, and excessive intake can increase uric acid production. Therefore, limiting animal protein, including eggs, is a valid preventative measure. Swapping some animal protein for plant-based alternatives like beans, lentils, and nuts can help reduce your risk.

How to Safely Incorporate Eggs into a Kidney Stone Diet

For most individuals, a moderate amount of eggs will not trigger kidney stones, particularly if other preventive measures are followed. The issue arises with excessive consumption, especially as part of a diet high in other animal proteins and sodium. If you are a stone former, consult your doctor or a dietitian to determine the appropriate amount for your specific stone type.

Here are some healthy alternatives to consider for your protein intake:

Plant-based proteins: Try beans, peas, lentils, tofu, and almonds.
Moderated animal protein: Stick to small portions of chicken or fish rather than excess eggs.
Egg whites: Consider replacing whole eggs with egg whites to reduce overall protein load.

Egg Consumption and Kidney Stone Risk: A Comparison


Risk Factor	Effect on Kidney Stone Risk	Recommendation
High Animal Protein Intake	Increases urinary calcium and uric acid, decreases citrate, especially when excessive.	Consume eggs and other animal protein in moderation.
Oxalate Content in Eggs	No effect. Eggs are oxalate-free.	Not a concern for calcium oxalate stones related to oxalate content.
Uric Acid Production from Eggs	Moderate, as eggs contain purines that convert to uric acid.	Moderate consumption is key, especially for those with uric acid stones.

Beyond Eggs: Overall Dietary Strategies for Kidney Stone Prevention

Drink plenty of fluids: Staying well-hydrated is the most important step in prevention. Aim for 2-3 liters of urine output per day.
Watch your sodium: High sodium intake increases calcium in the urine. Limit processed foods, canned goods, and condiments.
Eat adequate dietary calcium: Calcium from food can bind with oxalate in the gut, preventing its absorption.
Focus on a balanced diet: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can increase citrate and fiber intake, which can be beneficial.
Be cautious with supplements: High doses of vitamin C supplements can increase oxalate production. For comprehensive information on diet and nutrition for kidney stones, consult reliable sources such as the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones/eating-diet-nutrition.

Conclusion

While eating eggs is not inherently bad for kidney stones, especially in moderation, it's the larger context of your overall diet that matters most. Excessive consumption of eggs, like other animal proteins, can increase the risk of both calcium and uric acid stones by impacting urinary levels of calcium, uric acid, and citrate. For individuals who are prone to kidney stones, focusing on moderation, incorporating plant-based protein sources, and staying adequately hydrated are more effective strategies than completely eliminating eggs. As always, consult a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for personalized advice tailored to your specific health needs and stone type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can typically eat eggs in moderation. Eggs contain no oxalate, but they are a source of animal protein. The risk is from excessive protein intake, not from oxalates in the eggs themselves.

Excessive intake of eggs and other animal proteins can increase the risk of uric acid stones because they contain purines, which are metabolized into uric acid. Moderate consumption is generally acceptable.

Some kidney stone diet guidelines suggest that egg whites may be a better choice as they contain less overall protein and fewer purines than the yolk. However, moderation is the most important factor for whole eggs.

There is no single recommended number, as it depends on your individual diet and stone type. Many guidelines suggest moderating overall animal protein intake, with one or two eggs a day often considered safe within a balanced diet.

High animal protein intake can increase the excretion of calcium and uric acid in urine and decrease levels of citrate. This alters urine composition in a way that favors stone formation.

Both are important, but for many, controlling sodium may have a larger impact. High sodium intake significantly increases urinary calcium, a major risk factor. Limiting animal protein complements this by managing calcium and uric acid.

Yes, excellent plant-based protein alternatives include beans, lentils, peas, tofu, and almonds. These sources provide protein without the high purine load found in excessive animal protein.