Monsoon Diet Guide for Kidney Stone Prevention

The monsoon season provides a welcome respite from the sweltering heat during the summer but also comes with certain contradictions regarding your nutrition. Once the rains start, both diet and hydration are always altered leading to a greater risk of kidney stone formation. You should be conscious of what you eat. 

If you have had a previous experience of excruciating pain caused by a kidney stone, the idea of eating or drinking anything or eating differently may be daunting. Things you eat and drink matter! Enhanced by a co-friendly (kidney) diet and hydration during monsoon season, you can significantly lower your risks related to kidney stone recurrence. The following guide will focus on foods concerning kidney stone prevention, hydration and lifestyle that will help you keep your kidneys healthy this monsoon season.

Why Monsoon Season Changes Your Risks of Kidney Stone
 

• The rain can impact the body in combination of multitude of manners: 
• Lower water intake due to cooler temperature 
• Humidity levels that increase the possibility of slow dehydration
• Increased chances of consuming contaminated or processed food
• Reduced levels of physical activity
• Increased salt and fried food consumption (common season cravings)
• All these factors help to increase the concentration of calcium, oxalate and uric acid in the urine. 
• All of these listed urine elements are the main components of kidney stone formation.

Foods of Kidney Stone Prevention To Include This Monsoon

The foods you eat are consider a major contributor to the prevention of kidney stones. The following are foods to consider include per the recommendation your health care professional:

1) Water-Rich Fruits

Hydration as noted is key to preventing kidney stones. 

• Watermelon: High in water content and acts as a natural diuretic. 
• Papaya: Contains several nutrients to support digestion and kidney stress.
• Muskmelon/Pear: Excellent for water intake. These fruits minimize the amount of minerals that form stones in your urine.

2. Foods that contain a high amount of citric acid

Citric acid-rich foods lower stone formation, as it naturally dissolves calcium deposits and supports renal function.

• Lemon and lime water.
• Oranges.
• Sweet limes.

You can make it part of your preventive measures by adding lemon juice to a glass of warm water every morning.

3. Whole grains

Highly processed foods cause metabolic stress. Whole grains like brown rice, barley, and oats improve the kidneys.

• Increased fiber for digestion
• Decreased acidity levels
• For better controlled production of uric acid

4. Low-sodium foods

Salt is a major trigger for kidney stones, especially calcium stones.

Avoid:

• Pickles
• Papads
• Salted nuts
• Processed snacks

Opt:

• Fresh foods
• Home-made food soup
• Raw vegetables

Make sure to limit rock salt or Himalayan salt in minimal amounts.

5. Calcium-rich foods.
The most common myth is do not take calcium when you have kidney stones. In fact, dietary calcium binds oxalate in our gut and prevents it from entering kidneys.

Good options: 

• Ragi.
• Low-fat milk and curd (prefer boiled milk in case of infections in monsoon).
• Home-made paneer.
• Avoid calcium supplements unless prescribed by your doctor.

6. Oxalate-mitigating foods

Oxalate is mainly responsible for kidney stones. During monsoon season, if you want to avoid foods high in oxalate, here are examples for what to avoid:

• Spinach
• Beetroot
• Chocolate
• Nuts
• In its place, you should try:
• Gourd (bottle gourd, ridge gourd)
• Cucumber
• Pumpkin
• Cauliflower

The vegetables on this list contain low oxalate levels, which will keep your kidney system's alkalinity in check.

Monsoon Meal Plan Kidney Health Tips
 

• Cook with boiled or filtered water.
• Drink 8–10 glasses of water daily (If you'd like, you can infuse your water with mint, lemon, or cucumber).
• Avoid eating street foods from vendors (high risk of contamination in the rainy season).
• Eat fresh, home-cooked, and prepared meals.
• Cut back or eliminate tea and coffee altogether, as both are dehydrating beverages.
• Avoid eating fried snacks ( bhajji, samosa, or pakoda).
• Avoid These Foods During Monsoon Season to Prevent the Formation of Kidney Stones
• High Sugar Foods (soft drinks, sweets, or processed juices)
• High Fat Foods (having a fried item, heavy dairy)
• Red Meat and Processed Meats (increasing uric acid in the body)
• Dehydrating beverages (alcohol or excessive caffeine)
• Excessive salt (packed snacks, chutneys, or preserved foods)

Hydration is Key, Even in Rainy Weather!
While you may not feel hot during the monsoon season, your body is still losing fluid through sweat, urine, and/or personal exertion. In fact, dehydration may result in your body making stones without obvious signs. Drink lukewarm water or herbal teas to maintain hydration.

• Avoid the consumption of aerated drinks.
• Be observant and monitor the color of your urine (pale yellow indicates that are hydrated).
• Home Remedies for Natural Kidney Stone Prevention Remain in the Monsoon Weather
• Barley water is a natural diuretic that flushes out toxins.
• Coconut water improves kidney function and limits kidney crystal formation.
• Coriander seed tea is a diuretic that cools the body while reducing internal acidity.

You can prevent kidney stones much more easily than living with and treating kidney stones once they are formed. Keeping the body clean, hydrated, and balanced is your best defense, especially during monsoon or wet weather. If you are suffering from ongoing kidney stones, or symptoms such as: a sharp back pain, burning with urination, or cloudy urine; don't Delay.

At GEM Hospital, our experts know how to treat kidney stones and provide preventive diet education. Book an appointment now to speak with our specialist and maintain kidney health for a lifetime.

Book an appointment now at GEM Hospital for kidney stone diet or therapy.