nThe Leeds

Teaching HospitalsNHS Trust

Uric Acid Stones - Dietary Advice

Information for patients

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IntroductionFollowing a screening test you have been found to have uric acid stones. Uric acid stones are formed when there is a large amount of uric acid in the urine.

Kidney stones and dietKidney stones are made from a number of different chemicals. Some of these chemicals come from the food we eat and the fluids we drink.

If your doctor has told you that you are at risk of forming uric acid stones or have already formed stones, changing your diet may reduce the chances of this happening. This diet sheet will show you which foods and drinks to change. It will also help you follow a healthy diet.

AlcoholIt is advisable to avoid alcohol as it can increase the amount of uric acid produced. Have no more than three standard drinks per day. Try to have some alcohol free days.

One standard drink is:

½ pint of beer/lager or Single Measure of spirit or Small glass of wine/sherry/aperitif

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FluidsIt is very important that you drink plenty of fluid, to ensure that you are passing large amounts of urine. Try to drink 3.5 litres (about six pints of liquid each day) with extra drinks in hot weather.

The best drink to have is water but there are other suitable drinks listed overleaf.

Protein If your diet contains more protein (especially animal protein) than you need, this can increase your chances of forming a kidney stone. To ensure that you do not take excess animal protein, eat one of the following foods at two meals only per day – meat, fish, cheese, and poultry. Look out for low fat cheeses and yoghurts and use semi-skimmed or skimmed milk.

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Salt A high intake of salt means that you are more at risk of making kidney stones.

A small amount of salt can be used in cooking, but NONE should be added at the table. This includes sea salt, rock salt and garlic salt. Try using pepper, herbs and spices to season your food.

Packet, tinned and convenience foods have a high salt content – choose fresh or frozen foods wherever possible.

Purine Foods which have a high purine content will increase the amount of uric acid produced. The following foods have the highest sources of purine in the diet:

• Meat sources – Liver, heart, kidney, Sweetbreads

• Fish sources – Anchovies, crab, fish roes, herring, mackerel, sardines, shrimps, sprats, whitebait, skin of fish and poultry.

Eat a maximum of two portions of these foods per week.

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FibreA high fibre diet is recommended for the whole population.

This is particularly important for people who are likely to develop kidney stones. Wholegrain and wholemeal varieties of food such as bread, cereals and rice contain more fibre than the refined (or white) types. Vegetables and fruits especially with skins provide plenty of fibre – five pieces a day is recommended. Fresh or dried fruit, whole-wheat crackers and oat biscuits are all healthy alternatives to snacks such as crisps/ chocolate.

Foods to eat Regularly

• Wholemeal, granary or high fibre breads

• Whole-wheat crackers, crisp breads and biscuits

• Brown rice and whole-wheat pasta

• Pepper, vinegar, herbs and spices

• Herbal tea

• Potatoes, especially cooked in their skins

• Fresh or frozen vegetables, especially beans, peas& lentils

• Low calorie (sugar free) squashes and fizzy drinks

• Fresh or tinned fruit (in natural juice)

• High fibre breakfast cereals e.g. Weetabix, Shredded wheat, porridge, bran flakes

• Coffee

• Water

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Foods to eat in moderation

• Lean meat – fresh or frozen

• Fish – fresh, frozen or tinned in oil or water

• Refined (or sugary) breakfast cereals e.g. Rice krispies, cornflakes, sugar puffs

• White bread

• Poultry

• Eggs

• Semi-skimmed or skimmed milk

• Low fat cheese e.g. cottage cheese, Edam

• Low fat yoghurt

• Sweets

• Sugary drinks, fruit juices

• Cakes, biscuits

• sugar

• Butter, margarine, oil

• Jam, marmalade, syrup, honey

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Foods to avoid / or minimise

• Strong Tea

• Spinach

• Vitamin supplements or other dietary products bought over the counter e.g. fish oils

• Strawberries

• Beetroot

• Parsley

• Processed and convenience foods

• Salted crisps/ snacks

• Rhubarb

• Nuts

• Salt added at the table

• Salted crisps/ snacks

• Oxo, Marmite and Bovril

Do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any further help:

The Lithotripsy Unit

Pyrah Dept of Urology

David Beever’s Day Unit

St. James’s University Hospital

Sister: 0113 206 6995

Secretary: 0113 206 6797

LN003905Publication date

07/2019Review date

07/2021

© The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust • 3rd edition (Ver 1)Developed by: Catherine Owen, Lithotriptor Unit Sister

Produced by: Medical Illustration Services • MID code: 20190715_010/JG