What to not eat if you have stones?

November 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Kidney Foundation, up to 10% of Americans will develop kidney stones in their lifetime. While stones can be excruciatingly painful, knowing what to not eat if you have stones can be a powerful tool for prevention and management. This guide covers dietary changes essential for different types of stones, including calcium oxalate, uric acid, and gallstones.

Quick Summary

Different types of stones, including kidney and gallstones, require specific dietary restrictions to minimize symptoms and prevent recurrence. A low-sodium, low-sugar diet is crucial, while avoiding high-oxalate foods is key for calcium oxalate kidney stones. Those with uric acid stones must limit high-purine foods. For gallstones, reducing unhealthy and saturated fats is a primary focus.

Key Points

Identify Your Stone Type: The first step is to know if you have kidney stones (calcium oxalate, uric acid) or gallstones, as the dietary focus differs significantly.
Limit High-Oxalate Foods: For calcium oxalate kidney stones, reduce intake of foods like spinach, rhubarb, almonds, beets, and chocolate.
Avoid High-Purine Foods: If you have uric acid stones, cut back on red meat, organ meats, shellfish, and alcohol.
Steer Clear of Unhealthy Fats: For gallstones, avoid fried foods, fatty meats, and heavily processed snacks to prevent flare-ups.
Prioritize Hydration: Drinking 2–3 liters of water daily is the most critical preventative measure for all types of stones.
Reduce Sodium and Sugar: Limit processed foods, canned items, and sugary drinks, as high levels can increase stone formation risk.
Moderate Animal Protein: Excessive intake of animal protein can increase the risk of both calcium and uric acid kidney stones. Consider plant-based alternatives.
Avoid Vitamin C Supplements: For calcium oxalate stone formers, high doses of Vitamin C supplements can increase stone risk, though dietary Vitamin C is generally safe.

Understanding Different Types of Stones and Diet

Stones can form in the kidneys or gallbladder, but the composition and dietary triggers for each vary significantly. Therefore, the list of foods to avoid depends on the specific type of stone you have. Consulting a healthcare provider to determine the stone's composition is the first step toward creating an effective diet plan.

Foods to Avoid for Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones

Calcium oxalate is the most common type of kidney stone. While it seems counterintuitive, most people should not reduce their calcium intake. Instead, the focus should be on limiting high-oxalate foods and reducing sodium. This is because calcium in the diet can bind with oxalate in the intestines, preventing it from being absorbed and forming stones.

High-Oxalate Foods to Limit:

Vegetables: Spinach, rhubarb, beets, sweet potatoes, and okra.
Fruits: Berries (strawberries, raspberries), Concord grapes, and some canned fruits.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, peanuts (a legume high in oxalate), and other nuts and nut butters.
Grains: Wheat bran, wheat germ, and grits.
Beverages: Black tea, instant coffee, and chocolate beverages.
Miscellaneous: Chocolate, soy products (tofu, soy milk), and high-dose Vitamin C supplements.

Foods to Avoid for Uric Acid Kidney Stones

Uric acid stones form when urine is too acidic, which is often exacerbated by a diet high in purines. Reducing your intake of certain animal proteins is crucial.

High-Purine Foods to Avoid:

Red and Organ Meats: Beef, pork, lamb, and especially organ meats like liver and kidneys.
Shellfish: Sardines, anchovies, herring, and other shellfish.
Alcohol: Particularly beer, which is high in purines, and other alcoholic beverages.
Sugary Drinks: Beverages sweetened with fructose and high-fructose corn syrup can increase uric acid levels.

Foods to Avoid for Gallstones

Gallstones are solid particles that form in the gallbladder, often made of cholesterol. Symptoms are often triggered by eating fatty foods, so a low-fat diet is recommended during flare-ups.

High-Fat Foods to Limit:

Fried Foods: Deep-fried foods are particularly irritating.
Processed and Fast Food: Items like cookies, pastries, and chips are often high in unhealthy saturated and trans fats.
Fatty Meats: Fatty cuts of red meat, processed meats, sausages, and organ meats.
Full-Fat Dairy: Whole-milk products, butter, and cheese.
Oily Fish: While some oily fish are healthy, they can sometimes trigger symptoms during a flare-up.

A Comparison of Diets for Different Stone Types


Dietary Factor	Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones	Uric Acid Kidney Stones	Gallstones
Focus	Low oxalate, low sodium	Low purine, low sugar	Low unhealthy fat, low processed food
Key Foods to Avoid	Spinach, almonds, rhubarb, black tea, high-dose Vitamin C	Organ meats, shellfish, red meat, sugary drinks, alcohol	Fried foods, fatty red meat, processed snacks, full-fat dairy, pastries
Calcium Intake	Maintain normal levels from food (e.g., dairy)	Normal intake from healthy sources	Normal intake from low-fat or fat-free dairy
Hydration	Crucial to dilute urine (e.g., water, lemon water)	Essential for diluting urine and flushing uric acid	Important for overall digestive health and avoiding dehydration
Beneficial Foods	Citrus fruits (citrate), calcium-rich dairy	Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy	Fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, low-fat dairy

General Dietary Guidelines and Prevention

In addition to the specific restrictions for each type of stone, there are general dietary habits that benefit everyone at risk of developing or recurring stones.

Reduce Sodium Intake: A high-sodium diet increases the amount of calcium excreted into the urine, which can contribute to kidney stone formation. Many processed foods, canned goods, and restaurant meals are hidden sources of high sodium. Aim for less than 2,300 mg daily.
Limit Added Sugars: High intake of refined sugars and fructose, especially from sugary drinks and sodas, can increase calcium excretion and uric acid levels.
Moderate Animal Protein: Excessive animal protein, particularly red and organ meats, can raise uric acid and calcium levels in the urine, while also lowering citrate levels, a natural stone inhibitor. Consider replacing some animal protein with plant-based sources like lentils and peas.
Drink Plenty of Fluids: Staying well-hydrated is perhaps the most important preventive measure for all types of stones. It dilutes the concentration of minerals in the urine, making it harder for stones to form. Water is best, but lemon-infused water is particularly beneficial due to its citrate content. Aim for at least 2 to 3 liters of fluid per day.

Conclusion

While a stone diagnosis can be concerning, adopting the right dietary changes is a powerful way to manage your condition and prevent future incidents. Understanding the specific type of stone you have is the first step toward targeting the right foods to avoid, whether they are high in oxalates, purines, or unhealthy fats. By reducing your intake of sodium, processed sugars, and potentially problematic proteins, and by prioritizing hydration, you can significantly lower your risk and maintain better overall health. Always consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized advice. A registered dietitian can provide you with detailed meal plans and additional resources tailored to your specific needs, helping you confidently navigate your diet for effective stone management.

Frequently Asked Questions

For calcium oxalate kidney stones, you should limit vegetables high in oxalate, such as spinach, rhubarb, beets, and sweet potatoes. For uric acid stones, vegetables are generally beneficial.

For calcium oxalate stones, you should limit nuts like almonds and peanuts, as they are high in oxalates. Other types of stones may not require limiting nuts, but it is best to consult your doctor.

Avoid sugary drinks and sodas, especially those containing high-fructose corn syrup. For calcium oxalate stones, limit black tea and instant coffee. For uric acid stones, avoid alcoholic beverages.

A high-sodium diet increases the amount of calcium in your urine, which increases the risk of forming calcium-based kidney stones. This is why limiting processed, canned, and fast foods is recommended.

No, you should not eliminate calcium. Normal dietary calcium binds with oxalate in the intestines and prevents it from forming stones. It is calcium supplements that should be taken with caution and only with a doctor's recommendation.

You should limit unhealthy fats, especially saturated and trans fats found in fried foods, pastries, and processed snacks. While low-fat diets are often recommended, your body still needs healthy fats, so focus on quality over total elimination.

Yes, regardless of stone type, it is universally recommended to stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water, limit sodium intake, and avoid sugary drinks. These general habits are beneficial for overall stone prevention.