MAYO CLINIC: Dietary changes can lower the risk

→ FROM 20

Drink about 8 to 10 ounces of liquid each hour you're awake or at least 2 liters per day. The easiest way to know whether you're drinking enough fluids is to look at your urine. It should be almost clear.

Another important change is to reduce your sodium intake. Excess dietary sodium leads to higher calcium levels in urine, increasing the risk of all calcium-based kidney stones. Aim for less than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day. Read labels to know how much sodium is in the foods you eat and drink.

You also may need to cut down on foods rich in oxalate. Unfortunately, oxalate content is not listed on food labels. The highest amounts of oxalate are found in certain fruits, vegetables, and other plant foods, such as beans, nuts, and bran cereals or breads. Meats, eggs, dairy products, white rice and pasta are generally low in oxalate. If your health care provider recommends that you limit oxalate-rich foods, consider meeting with a dietitian to evaluate your diet.

Sugar and fat can raise the risk of developing kidney stones, so limiting these in your diet also will help. Finally, too much meat, chicken or fish can increase the likelihood of kidney stones. Limit these foods to no more than 3 ounces at your midday meal and 3 ounces at your evening meal.

For more information on diet changes that can lower your risk for kidney stones, talk to your health care provider or a dietitian. He or she can guide your dietary choices to reduce your risk of stones while still getting the nutrition you need.