What should you not eat if you have ureteral stones?

Patients with ureteral stones should avoid foods high in oxalate, salt, purine, and sugar. Drinking plenty of water can help prevent stone formation. Dietary regulation is one of the important measures to prevent and treat ureteral stones.

1. Foods high in oxalate. Oxalic acid is one of the key factors in the formation of stones. Excessive intake will combine with calcium to form calcium oxalate stones. Foods such as spinach, beets, beans, nuts, and chocolate have high oxalic acid content, so patients should try to reduce their consumption.

2. High-salt foods. Excessive salt intake will increase the excretion of calcium in urine, leading to an increased risk of calcium stones. Preserved foods, processed meats, canned foods, etc. are high in salt, and patients should control their daily salt intake to less than 5 grams.

3. High-purine foods. Uric acid, a product of purine metabolism, may form uric acid stones. High-purine foods such as animal offal, seafood, and beer need to be limited. At the same time, increasing the amount of alkaline foods such as vegetables and fruits can help reduce uric acid excretion.

4. High-sugar foods. High sugar intake will interfere with calcium metabolism and increase urinary calcium content. Sugary drinks, desserts, refined grains, etc. should be eaten less, and choosing low-sugar or sugar-free substitutes is more beneficial to health.

5. Drinking water management. Adequate water intake can dilute urine and reduce the risk of stone formation. It is recommended to drink about 2500 ml of water per day and keep the urine volume above 2000 ml. Boiled water is the best choice. Carbonated drinks, strong tea, etc. will affect calcium metabolism and should be avoided.

6. Optimize your diet. Increasing the intake of whole grains, vegetables and fruits rich in dietary fiber and controlling the proportion of protein, especially animal protein, will help maintain the balance of urine chemical composition. A balanced diet can effectively prevent the recurrence of stones.

Dietary management for patients with ureteral stones requires long-term adherence, and the dietary structure should be adjusted according to individual conditions. In addition to avoiding specific foods, it is also important to develop good living habits such as regular exercise, weight control, and avoiding long periods of sitting. Severe cases should seek medical attention in a timely manner, with medication or surgical intervention to avoid complications. Through scientific diet and lifestyle adjustments, stone recurrence can be effectively prevented and the quality of life can be improved.