I did some research and found that foods high in oxalates should be avoided by all means. If you don't know exactly what foods are high in oxalates you're not alone -- but chances are, you're eating them.
What do I mean? Okay, here we go... some foods high in oxalates.
Whole wheat -- man! I really love my whole wheat breads, cereals, etc.
Blueberries... For a couple of months I was living on blueberry smoothies for breakfast. Every diet guru proclaims the benefits of eating blueberries. Alas and alack, they be high in oxalates as well.
Big strike number three goes to one of my absolute favorites: chocolate. Now, I was not pigging out on it, but it was nice to have a chocolate protein shake at night, or the occasional mini candy bar (often dark chocolate -- 45 calories) to handle a craving and be a treat.
And in my new year's diet, we made a special effort to eat more fresh vegetables, like sweet potatoes, baked potatoes and fresh spinach.
Guess what.
Yep.
They're all high in oxalates.
Okay, well, my absolute favorite snack is a handful of nuts. We've got peanuts, almonds and my favorite nut -- pistachios. I had heard that pistachios are supposed to be really good for your heart -- so I was trying to eat about an ounce at night a few times per week to help curb hunger, etc.
Yes, it's true... Nuts are high in oxalates too!
ARGH!
I cannot tell you how frustrated and demoralizing it has been to find out that all the "good" and "right" foods I'm "supposed" to be eating are foods that I should not eat because they will make kidney stones!
I was and continue to be pretty frustrated.
Then my wife pointed me to some research she found online that believes that calcium citrate supplements can actually help with oxalate absorption by bonding with whatever oxalates come into the body, thereby not causing stones. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but I've decided to give it a try. (My wife is truly an angel.)
So, I'm still assiduously watching what I eat for oxalates, but if I feel the need to indulge in a few pistachios or some whole wheat bread, I make sure to take a supplement at the same time (right before, during or immediately after the meal).
If you think you might need some calcium citrate, check out the prices on Amazon -- here's a sample of one:
Source Naturals Calcium Citrate, 1000mg, 180 Tablets (Pack of 2)
