Oxalate-controlled diet for kidney stones

A)  The most common kidney stones are composed of calcium oxalate.
B) Patients with this type of kidney stone can benefit from a diet that reduces dietary oxalate and increases dietary calcium.
C) The following six steps can reduce the rush of developing calcium oxalate stones.
       1)  Keep yourself well hydrated, especially during the hot, humid summer months. Drink plenty of fluids. The goal should be 10-12 glasses per day of water or other beverage that is calorie-free.
              2)  Eat fewer high oxalate foods.
The more oxalate that is absorbed from the digestive tract, the more oxalate in your urine.
            Examples of high-oxalate foods to limit are:
                 Spinach                   Potato chips
                 Bran flakes              French fries
                 Rhubarb                  Nuts and nut butters
                 Beets                       Beer
            3)  Increase the amount of calcium in your diet.
​Low amounts of calcium in your diet will increase the risk of forming calcium oxalate stones.  Calcium binds oxalate in the intestines.  A diet rich in calcium helps reduce the amount of oxalate being absorbed by the intestines, so stones are less likely to form.  Eat calcium-rich foods and beverages every day from dairy or other calcium-rich foods.  Most calcium is found in dark leafy greens and dairy products.
            The following are examples of calcium-rich foods:
                A.) Dark, leafy greens  (watercress, kale, dandelion and turnip 
                      greens, arugula and collards
                B.)  Low-fat cheese  (mozzarella, parmesan, swiss and cheddar)
                C.)  Low-fat milk and yogurt
                D.)  Chinese cabbage (Bok Choy)
                E.)  Fortified soy products
                F.)  okra
                G.)  green snap beans
                H.)  almonds
                  I.)  Sardines in oil
                 J.)  Pink salmon, anchovies, and shrimp
It is helpful to eat high-calcium foods at the same time as high oxalate foods.  For example, have low-fat cheese with a spinach salad or yogurt with berries.  If you take a calcium supplement, calcium citrate is the preferred form.
             4)  Limit Vitamin C content in your diet
Oxalate is produced as an end product of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) metabolism.  Large doses of vitamin C may increase the amount of oxalate in the urine, increasing the risk of kidney stone formation.  If you are taking a supplement, do not take more than 500 mg. of vitamin C daily.
             5)  Limit dietary protein
Eating large amounts of protein may increase the risk of kidney stone formation.  Eat no more than 4-6 ounces per day.
             6)  Reduce the amount of sodium in the diet
Reduce the amount of sodium in the diet to 2000 mg. per day.  This means limit eating processed foods such as hot dogs, deli meats, sausage, canned foods, dry soup mixes, sauerkraut, and pickles.