The Kidney Dietitian

The Kidney Dietitian Kidney stones ARE preventable! The Kidney Dietitian is your go-to resource for all things kidney stone prevention.

We've helped thousands of people prevent stones via our educational content, online courses and private dietitian appointments.

I use the term "non-dairy animal protein" a LOT. Why? This is the official term used in the guidelines for kidney stone...
08/19/2026

I use the term "non-dairy animal protein" a LOT. Why? This is the official term used in the guidelines for kidney stones from association - and the updated version that just came out last month has even MORE of a focus on it.

Non-dairy animal protein is essentially any protein food that is animal FLESH. Crude, I know. But I don't have a better way to explain it!

Why do the guidelines call out this particular type of protein?

🥩Because eating TOO MUCH non-dairy animal protein can increase your risk of kidney stones. It can increase urine calcium and reduce urine citrate and pH levels. It may also increase urine oxalate because your liver can make oxalate form too much protein.

🥛DAIRY protein is actually VERY good for calcium based stones. Calcium rich foods reduce how much oxalate you absorb from your food. Eating enough calcium (aka 2-3 servings of dairy/day) ALONE can reduce the risk of stones up to 50%!

SO, if your 24-hour urine collection reveals excess protein is a concern for YOU, it is a good idea to eat these foods in smaller portions and/or less often.

The exact amount of protein right for you is VERY different depending on your medical history, body size and current eating habits.

🥰We help our clients understand how to eat the RIGHT amount of protein - and no, it does NOT mean you have to be vegetarian (if you don't want to!). 😉

08/18/2026

YAY! For the first time in 7 years, the official guidelines on kidney stone management have been updated by the association!

I'm SO glad that PERSONALIZED stone prevention directed by a 24-hour urine test CONTINUES to be highlighted.

Truly, without this test, you are just GUESSING what will prevent stones for YOU!

Comment TIPS to get my suggestions for asking your doctor for this EVER important test - and to learn more about it!

Unfortunately, kidney stone prevention is just not part of most urology training programs - which has resulted in endles...
08/17/2026

Unfortunately, kidney stone prevention is just not part of most urology training programs - which has resulted in endless generic and quite frankly, HARMFUL advice floating around the internet and doctor's offices about what YOU should be doing to prevent stones.⁠
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I really am not a skeptical or angry person by nature. But after getting literally thousands of messages from you telling me what advice you were given (or not given) by your doctor - and looking at the unbelievably TERRIBLE "kidney stone nutrition" handouts you are getting...this is the only conclusion that can be made.
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This is why I do what I do! 🥰⁠
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➡️Comment MEAL PLAN to get my FREE 3-day meal plan to send you in a better direction for what most people with kidney stones should be eating

Because at the end of the day - kidney stone nutrition is different for EVERY single person.

08/15/2026

Don't get me wrong - this is NOT ALL DOCTORS. I've had the privilege of working with some pretty good ones. 😉 ⁠I KNOW there are doctors out there who incorporate at least SOME nutrition.

BUT - when we look at kidney stone care overall, the numbers speak for themselves.

Less than 20% of people with stones will EVER get a 24-hour urine test. How can nutrition POSSIBLY be (appropriately) incorporated if we don't even know WHY you are forming stones?

Only about 20% of urologists partner with a dietitian AT ALL.

Only about 15% of people with stones work with a dietitian IN ANY CAPACITY.

We have more work to do!

PMID: 24846196
PMID: 41843185

There are a LOT of kidney stone supplements on the market - many with some PRETTY BIG claims.What is the science behind ...
08/13/2026

There are a LOT of kidney stone supplements on the market - many with some PRETTY BIG claims.

What is the science behind these? Do they work?

In my newest blog, I break down the most common supplements, dig into what is ACTUALLY in them, and the science behind them.

Check it out on the blog! https://www.thekidneydietitian.org/stone-breaker-supplement/

I feel like I need to SCREAM this from the rooftops AGAIN and AGAIN!Just because a food is higher in oxalate, DOES NOT M...
08/11/2026

I feel like I need to SCREAM this from the rooftops AGAIN and AGAIN!

Just because a food is higher in oxalate, DOES NOT MEAN you can't (or shouldn't) eat it. Foods are made of SO much more than one thing - and completely eliminating entire groups or types of food will likely have consequences. THIS is why a low oxalate diet is NO LONGER recommended for kidney stone prevention.

Beans do tend to be higher in oxalate (although not all are!), but they are ALL wonderful sources of magnesium and phytate (an INCREDIBLY powerful calcium stone inhibitor - WAY more powerful than citrate!).

Perhaps MOST importantly - people who eat MORE plant proteins (especially in place of animal protein) tend to have FEWER kidney stones.

Before you stress about oxalate and take beans out of your diet, make sure to work with a kidney stone prevention expert and YOUR urine test to know how to target YOUR urine risk factors - and manage oxalate in a MUCH healthier way than taking away super healthy foods like beans.

🖥️ Comment WEBINAR to learn how I've helped hundreds of people prevent kidney stones (and yes, while eating beans 😉)

08/10/2026

Nope. You'll never find me judging why people make the food choices they do. Even if you COULD put yourself in their shoes, who are YOU to judge how someone else spends their time, money or emotional energy? The intersection of "health" and superiority to the point of morality has TRULY got to stop.

Thank you The Atlantic for the amazing article: Avoiding Ultra-Processed Foods Is Completely Unrealistic: Especially if you have kids

In kidney nutrition, we talk a LOT about plant proteins. Plant proteins tend to be easier on your kidneys. Swapping in M...
08/08/2026

In kidney nutrition, we talk a LOT about plant proteins. Plant proteins tend to be easier on your kidneys. Swapping in MORE plant proteins in place of animal protein is a GREAT way to help slow the progression of kidney disease and prevent kidney stones.

But, what does "plant protein" even mean? Plant based diets are QUITE trendy these days and there are TONS of products, powders and bars that tout their "plant based protein".

But when your kidney dietitian recommends eating more plant protein - THESE foods are more what we have in mind. Eating a more WHOLE FOODS plant based diet tends to be good for your kidneys!

Yay for beans!

Stressed about oxalate? Just make sure to ADD enough calcium at your meals. The new kidney stone guidelines NO LONGER recommend restricting dietary oxalate and instead recommend focusing on getting in that calcium!

08/06/2026

Because, all of our feeds could use a little more laughter these days 😂

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