The Kidney Dietitian

04/25/2026

A quick Google search or time in ANY kidney stone platform on the internet will reveal MANY "natural" remedies for kidney stones. Is there truth to any of it? Check out my blog!

Understand the science behind common "natural" remedies for kidney stones including olive oil, chanca pietra, lemon juice and more!

04/24/2026

Yep. Every single time!⁠
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💡To learn more about my personalized, science-based approach to kidney stone nutrition that has helped thousands of people STOP kidney stones, comment WEBINAR to register for my FREE class!⁠
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04/23/2026

Cheese can be a great way to get in calcium for people with kidney stones.⁠
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BUT, did you know that all cheese isn't created equal? American cheese tends to have more sodium (and less calcium!) than "real" cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, muenster or pepperjack.⁠
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Nutrients like this differ A TON across different brands. Always check the nutrition label on the cheese you buy!⁠
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04/22/2026

It was lovely chatting with Areli Gutierrez MS, RS, CSR, LD of about the importance of highlighting culturally appropriate foods in nutrition conversations.⁠
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➡️ Comment 144 to get the link to listen to the whole episode!⁠
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Unfortunately, conversations around "healthy" foods tend to elevate foods like broccoli and quinoa - and leave out (at best) or even demonize (at worst) foods from non-white cultures. This episode of the Eat Away Kidney Stones Podcast dives into why inclusivitiy is so important in nutrition communications - and how many cultural foods are very good for kidneys!⁠
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OH! And definitely check out Areli's amazing podcast ⁠
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04/21/2026

What’s with nuts and your kidneys? 🥜⁠⁠
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For people with kidney disease, nuts are a WONDERFUL source of plant based protein. Only about 30% of the phosphorus is absorbed. And, if they are used IN PLACE of meat at meals, they can even fit into a low potassium diet!⁠⁠
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🥥Nuts can even be good for people with kidney stones! Yep! Nuts (in general) are often ostracized because they are "high" in oxalate. But, not all are! Pistachios, pecans and macadamia nuts are some of my favorite lower oxalate options. Plus, there isn't any evidence linking a low oxalate diet with a lower risk of stones anyway 😉
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A benefit of nuts for EVERYONE is that they produce less acid compared to animal proteins. Diets that produce more acid are associated with more kidney stones AND kidney disease.⁠⁠
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Have you been avoiding nuts? What do you think about adding nuts to your diet!? 😍

04/20/2026

The "right" diet is different for EVERY single person with kidney disease OR kidney stones. Here is a WONDERFUL article to understand how to begin to personalize YOUR diet plans for kidney health!

What does a renal diet mean for you? Understand how a renal diet can be very different based on stage of kidney disease and diagnosis.

04/20/2026

Thank you for having me come talk about my ALL time favorite topic! Spring conference season is off to a great start.

I had a great time in Houston meeting new RD friends - notably Carina () and Melody (.thrivetribe) - and running into many familiar faces especially Chrissy (), Areli () and Ana ( )!

04/18/2026

Everyone knows too much salt isn't good for kidneys. This begs the question - what are the best salt substitutes!? Check out my article to learn more!

What is the best salt substitute for kidney patients? Complete list of healthy options, including which substitutes to avoid and cooking tips.

04/17/2026

Gone are the days of "no whole grains" on a kidney diet! In defense of whole grains for kidney health:⁠
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Yes, they are slightly higher in phosphorus, but that phosphorus isn't well absorbed. ⁠They are also higher in potassium, but the added benefit of fiber means you excrete more potassium in your 💩!⁠ There is NO data linking whole grains with higher potassium levels. In fact, a fascinating paper was just published in Feb 2026 attributing the LACK of whole grains as a sizeable CAUSE of kidney disease worldwide.
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Whole grains are also slightly higher in oxalate, but many people with kidney stones don't need to limit oxalate. Even those who do, the benefits of whole grains MASSIVELY outweigh the risks of the higher oxalate content.⁠ In fact, the TYPE of oxalate found most in whole grains is insoluble, making it less of a concern.
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Whole grains are an important source of fiber and many minerals and vitamins in our diets. They help control blood sugar and promote heart and gut health!⁠
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🥳 Yay for whole grains! And for all of the tasty options!⁠

PMID: 41798836
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04/16/2026

It NEVER fails to warm my heart when people share stories like this. NUTRITION MATTERS and can make SUCH a huge difference in people's lives.

THIS is why I spend so much time debunking the low oxalate diet = fewer kidney stones myth. There is SO much more to kidney stone nutrition that ACTUALLY WORKS!

Make sure to follow along for more evidence-based kidney stone nutrition tips!

04/15/2026

Do any of these red flags apply to you?⁠
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Only about 10% of people with kidney stones have EVER had a 24-hour urine test. This test is CRUCIAL to get to the bottom of why you are forming stones, and what actually matters for YOU for prevention.⁠
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That 24-hour urine test should actually be standard of care. It is actually recommended that ANYONE who has more than 1 stone, or who is interested in prevention, get this test. I promise I'm not just making this up!⁠
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Of course the next step is to know what to do with that test. That is where I come in! If you had a 24-hour urine test and haven't met with a dietitian, you deserve more! Nutrition is completely different for every single person I see. ⁠
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Stop spinning your wheels with oxalate lists and figure out what you can ACTUALLY do to prevent more stones with food. ⁠
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🤩Comment GET STARTED to learn all the different ways to work with me for kidney stone nutrition that ACTUALLY WORKS!⁠
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04/15/2026

A great episode featuring yours truly! Give it a listen!

Tune in for expert advice on kidney stone prevention and management from an interprofessional team including a physician, a dietitian, a pharmacist and a patient!

Listen Here: https://bit.ly/3DamjQ9 (Episode 035)