If you’ve ever had to pass a kidney stone you know how painful it could be, but the worst part is that if you’ve had kidney stones in the past, you have a good chance of getting them again. Not drinking enough water is the leading cause of kidney stones, but what else puts you at risk for this?
What puts you at risk for developing kidney stones in the first place?
Dehydration: When you don’t drink enough water or live in a warm climate where you sweat a lot, you are at a risk for dehydration. So drink up!
Obesity: If you’re overweight or obese, you are at a higher risk for developing kidney stones. Check your Body Mass Index, exercise, and eat healthy.
High Protein Diets: Eating a diet that is high in protein, sodium, and sugar can increase your risk for developing kidney stones because it’s too much for them to filter out.
Family History: If a family member has kidney stones, more than likely you’ll get them too.
Medical Conditions: Inflammatory bowel disease, gastric bypass surgery, urinary tract infections and even certain medications can put you at risk.
Once you’ve had kidney stones, it’s important to watch what you eat. Your doctor will give you a long list of foods to avoid, especially those with high amounts of oxalate found in fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes, including:
- peanuts
- rhubarb
- spinach
- beets
- chocolate
- sweet potatoes
- tea
So what should you eat to prevent developing kidney stones? The majority 
