Yes, toast can be good for kidney stones in moderation, especially white or sourdough bread, as it's a low-oxalate choice, but watch out for sodium and high-oxalate toppings like bran or whole-grain versions, and always pair with plenty of water. The key is controlling portion size, checking sodium content, and choosing types like white bread or sourdough over high-mineral whole-grain varieties if advised by your doctor.
CKD-friendly breakfast choices
I recommend whole grain, whole wheat or multigrain bread for people with kidney disease. Be careful to check the sodium in whatever bread you buy. Bread is a surprising source of salt! Historically, white bread was recommended because it has less phosphorus in it.
A thin viewing tool, called a nephroscope, is used to locate and remove the kidney stone. A health care professional inserts the tool directly into the kidney through a small cut made in the back. For larger kidney stones, a laser may be used to break the kidney stones into smaller pieces.
When the kidneys are unable to filter blood properly, fluid and wastes build up in the blood. This can cause a number of changes to the skin, including a rash. The kidneys also have a hard time balancing the mineral phosphorus.
Larger kidney stones can cause symptoms, including:
Itching often happens on both sides of the body at the same time (for example, both arms or both legs). Itching is most common and severe in people with kidney failure,but those in the earlier stages of CKD may also notice milder itching.
If you've had calcium oxalate stones, you may want to avoid these foods to help reduce the amount of oxalate in your urine:
Small crystals in your urine fuse together, similar to the way salt crystals form from evaporating saltwater. More crystals can bind over time until a stone is formed. The stone can then continue to grow bigger and ultimately become so heavy that it breaks off within the kidney.
Factors that influence stone passage include the stone's size and location. The larger a stone is, the less likely that it will pass without surgery. Surgical treatment is usually recommended for stones 0.5 centimeters in size and larger, as well as for patients who fail conservative management.
Kidney-friendly sandwiches made with your choice of wholemeal bread, pittas, English muffins, rolls or wraps
White bread has the least amount of potassium (well it contains the least amount of all nutrients!) but all bread is naturally low in potassium.
So what type of bread can I eat if I am on a low sodium and low phosphate diet? White or brown pan loaf, baguettes, pitta bread, ciabatta, chapattis, white or granary bread rolls are all suitable.
12 of the Best Drinks for Kidney Health
While oatmeal is higher in potassium and phosphorus than other hot cereals, it can still be part of a healthy kidney diet. A 1/2 cup serving of cooked oatmeal has 80 to 115 mg potassium and 90 to 130 mg phosphorus.
Pizza is the poster food for kidney stones—salty crust, salty pepperoni, salty cheese, salty processed pizza sauce, but you can make your own with limited salt.
In rare cases, certain types of stones—such as uric acid stones—can be dissolved with medication that makes the urine less acidic. However, a 7mm stone is unlikely to pass on its own and often requires medical treatment to break it up or remove it.
If you've had kidney stones, you're likely to get more in the future. You'll likely need to work on preventing them with changes to the foods you eat and, sometimes, medication.
If you do suspect a kidney stone, a trip to an emergency room is advisable, especially if you are experiencing intense, uncontrollable pain. At the hospital, doctors can make the diagnosis and provide treatment for an active kidney stone. Imaging such as x-rays, or a CT scan, will confirm if a stone is present.
It is important to be mindful of the following foods that can lead to the formation of kidney stones in certain people: foods high in sodium, cola beverages, fast foods, processed meats, certain supplements, black tea, chocolate, spinach, soy milk, almonds, cashews, soy beans.
Kidney-friendly snacks at the grocery store
Most kidney stones are caused by a combination of diet, lifestyle, genetic and medical factors. Diets that are high in sodium, added sugar, meat, fish and seafood; along with not enough fruits, vegetables, calcium and water can cause kidney stones in susceptible people. Some diseases can make kidney stones more likely.
People with kidney disease may notice that their nails are yellow or discolored. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, they can't effectively filter out waste products, including nitrogen waste, which can lead to changes in the color and texture of the nails, making them appear pale or yellowish.
You can check kidney function at home using at-home test kits for urine (detecting protein/albumin) or finger-prick blood tests (checking creatinine/eGFR), often with smartphone apps for analysis, or by monitoring symptoms like increased nighttime urination (nocturia), swelling, or changes in urine (blood, foam) and discussing results with a doctor, as home tests screen but don't replace professional diagnosis.
If your ankles, feet, or lower legs are swollen, it could mean that your kidneys are not removing extra fluid and salt from your body the way they should. This kind of swelling is called edema and is a common sign of kidney problems.