Foods That Help Prevent Stones — and Ones That Don't

Eat more of these

• Water, buttermilk and lemon water through the day
• Fruits and vegetables for citrate and potassium
• Normal dairy with meals — curd, milk, paneer
• Whole grains and pulses in moderation

Limit these

• Packaged snacks, pickles and papad — the biggest hidden salt sources
• Large portions of red meat and organ meats
• Very high oxalate foods in excess: spinach, beetroot, nuts, strong tea
• Cola drinks with phosphoric acid

The biggest myth

Many patients stop milk and curd after a calcium stone. This backfires. Low dietary calcium leaves more oxalate free to be absorbed and excreted, which raises stone risk. Take normal calcium with meals — restrict salt instead.