For kidney stones, dairy milk is often a good choice because its calcium binds to oxalate, preventing stones, while plant milks like almond or soy can be high in oxalate; however, oat milk, rice milk, and macadamia milk are good low-oxalate alternatives, and coconut milk is great for low-potassium/sodium, but check for phosphorus additives in any plant milk. Always drink plenty of water and consult a dietitian for personalized advice.
Oat, macadamia, rice and soy milk compare favorably in terms of kidney stone risk factors with dairy milk, whereas almond and cashew milk have more potential stone risk factors. Coconut milk may be a favorable dairy substitute for patients with CKD based on low potassium, sodium and oxalate.
Increased fluid intake will help the stone to pass. Antibiotics may be given if the stone causes a urinary tract infection Stones that don't pass need to be removed surgically. Dietary changes and drinking plenty of fluids are recommended to prevent recurrence.
Coconut and flax milk have undetectable oxalate levels; coconut milk also has comparatively low sodium, calcium, and potassium, while flax milk has the most sodium. Overall, oat milk has the most similar parameters to dairy milk (moderate calcium, potassium and sodium with low oxalate).
Treating kidney stones in pregnancy starts conservatively with hydration, pain relief (opioids/acetaminophen), and sometimes antiemetics, as most pass on their own, but if symptoms persist or infection develops, procedures like ureteral stenting, nephrostomy tubes (for drainage), or ureteroscopy (laser stone removal) may be needed, while shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is strictly avoided due to fetal risk. A specialist team (urologist & obstetrician) manages treatment, focusing on safety, with alpha-blockers (like tamsulosin) sometimes used cautiously to help passage.
The best way to encourage the passing of a kidney stone is by drinking plenty of fluids. This means lots of water, fruit juice (like lemon and citrus juice), and celery juice. You can also mix in some apple cider vinegar (ACV) to help speed up the process.
Avoid eating berries rich in oxalates such as strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry. Although these fruits are healthy, they can increase the formation of kidney stones. So, you must limit the consumption of berries when you are already suffering from kidney stones.
Are there any alternatives to milk if I have kidney disease? Yes. Soy milk, rice milk and almond milk can be found in most grocery stores, while other milk alternative products have also gained in popularity.
Milk, hard cheese, yogurt, ice cream, sour cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, buttermilk, custard and pudding do not contain oxalate.
People are quitting oat milk due to concerns about highly processed ingredients like seed oils and emulsifiers, its impact on blood sugar (due to broken-down starches and added sugars), low protein content, potential inflammation, and gut health issues, with some wellness influencers shifting to cow's milk or other alternatives like almond or soy. The trend reflects a growing awareness that while convenient, many commercial oat milks aren't as "natural" or nutritionally complete as initially perceived, leading consumers to seek whole foods or dairy for better protein and fat balance.
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.
Kidney stones are more common in adults than children but can occur at any age, with the average age being 30-50 years. Men are more likely than women to develop kidney stones although the reason for this is not clear. Kidney stones are a feared condition as they can be extremely painful.
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. The procedures used today to remove stones are minimally invasive and highly effective.
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.
What is the best alternative to milk?
Skimmed milk, 1% or semi-skimmed and low fat products are just as high in calcium and as good at preventing stones, but contain less fat. Look at milk and dairy food labels for calcium content. Adults should aim for 700 - 1200mg of calcium a day.
Should You Drink Milk If You Have Kidney Stones? Yes, but with moderation and medical supervision. People with calcium oxalate stones should avoid excessive calcium supplements but can safely consume milk as part of a healthy diet.
Both excess and deficiency of vitamin D May increase the risk of kidney stones, necessitating the careful balancing of vitamin D intake.
Drinking oat milk is probably fine for your body unless you're drinking large quantities of it, already loading your diet with carbs, and/or diabetic. If most of your day's liquid is coming from any milk, plant-based or not, that's probably not great. Moderation is key.
12 of the Best Drinks for Kidney Health
Try a liquid nutritional drink like Boost or Ensure once a day. (Do not rely on these drinks entirely, as their protein, phosphorus and potassium content is high—consult a dietitian beforehand.) Have several small meals instead of one large one.
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.
6. Increase your intake of citrus fruits and juices. Citrate in these foods inhibits stone formation by binding to calcium, which makes it unable to bind with oxalates and form stones. Lemon and lime have been proven to be best sources of citrate, followed by oranges and then grapefruits.