The Kidney Dietitian

02/02/2026

Pretending that just "telling people to eat healthy" will magically improve the health of Americans is laughable. We've been trying to shame people into eating healthy for YEARS - and it clearly hasn't worked. Nutrition is OBVIOUSLY important - but we need to make getting nutritiious foor more affordable and EASIER for Americans - as well address all these other things that have a clear link to health.⁠
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https://www.povertyusa.org/facts⁠
https://www.instacart.com/company/ideas/average-grocery-cost-per-month⁠
https://www.zillow.com/rental-manager/market-trends/united-states/⁠
https://www.census.gov/topics/income-poverty/poverty/guidance/poverty-measures.html⁠
PMID: 37345825

02/01/2026

Perhaps the most common question I get as a kidney stone dietitian is "how do I get in enough calcium if I don't drink milk". Never fear! I have an entire article on my site addressing this exact topic. Check it out!

No doubt about it, eating enough calcium is a critical part of a healthy diet for people who have calcium kidney stones. But, what is the best way to eat enough calcium? *Please note that

02/01/2026

Thank you so much and Caitlin Beale for including my thoughts about kidney stones in this amazing article!

Check out the entire article here: https://www.health.com/too-much-protein-side-effects-11894852

01/30/2026

Thank you SO much for this fantastic question!

01/30/2026

DYK people with gastric bypass surgery have up to a 2x higher risk of kidney stones!? Learn why - and what you can do to reduce that risk at the blog!

Kidney stones are a well known complication of gastric bypass surgery. What is the link between gastric bypass and kidney stones and how can we prevent them?

01/29/2026

"Quick breads" like pancakes, waffles and muffins have a SURPRISING amount of sodium. You can't necessarily taste it, but most pancakes have almost 200mg sodium per 4-inch pancakes. YIKES!⁠
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Much of that sodium comes from baking powder/soda. Check out my LOW SODIUM pancake recipe with lower sodium baking products.⁠
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Comment PANCAKES to get the full recipe!⁠
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01/28/2026

Unbelievably excited to welcome Dr. Joshi to the Eat Away Kidney Stones Podcast! ⁠
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Dr. Joshi is one of the best-known nephrologists who advocates for kidney nutrition. He has published endless articles about how food can improve kidney health. It was an absolute pleasure chatting with him about how eating PLANTS is GOOD for kidney stones!⁠
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➡️Comment 132 to get the link to listen to the entire podcast episode!⁠
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01/27/2026

Cheese is an AMAZING way to add flavor (and calcium!) to your diet. But, it is notoriously high in salt.⁠
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But, there are DRASTIC differences in the amount of sodium in different cheeses. Here are some of the higher sodium ones. ⁠
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Remember, this absolutely DOES NOT mean these cheeses are "off the table". In fact, I think adding a little feta, blue cheese or parmesan to your food adds a TON of flavor for the amount of salt you get. I think there should absolutely be a place for these foods in a low sodium diet.⁠
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Comment GUIDE to get my FREE guide to low sodium eating!⁠
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01/26/2026

Who loves pineapple!? 🍍Like any fruit, pineapple is a GREAT option for most people with kidney stones. Read more at the blog!

Should you eat pineapple to prevent kidney stones? Can pineapple juice dissolve kidney stones? Is pineapple good for kidney stones?

01/26/2026

is lying to you.

I made this reel before things really escalated in Minneapolis. I never thought I'd see the day when defunding research and health insurance would seem trivial. But somehow, today it feels that way.

PMID: 33440171
PMID: 26154278
PMID: 39798223

01/24/2026

There is an odd myth going around that PICKLE JUICE is good for eys. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE pickles - but I can't quite say that pickle juice is beneficial. More at the blog!
There is an odd myth going around that PICKLE JUICE is good for the kidneys. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE pickles - but I can't quite say that pickle juice is beneficial. More at the blog!

Does pickle juice offer any benefit for kidney or general health? Should people with kidney disease, or kidney stones, drink pickle juice?

01/23/2026

Somehow, in 2026, this reel had to be made. Google AI answers are NOT research. Anecdotal evidence is NOT evidence.⁠
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Nutrition is a SCIENCE, not an opinion.⁠
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References:⁠
https://www.thekidneydietitian.org/evidence-based-nutrition/⁠
https://www.eatrightpro.org/practice/code-of-ethics/code-of-ethics-for-the-nutrition-and-dietetics-profession⁠
Pearle MS, Goldfarb DS, Assimos DG et al: Medical management of kidney stones: AUA Guideline. J Urol 2014; 192: 316.⁠
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