How should people with oxalate stones control their diet?

Limit intake of foods high in oxalate
Foods rich in oxalates should be avoided, such as spinach, beets, nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts, etc.), cocoa, tea, etc. Take spinach as an example, the oxalic acid content in spinach is higher, about 700-900 mg of oxalic acid per 100 grams of spinach. For patients with oxalate stones, eating these high-oxalate foods will greatly increase the amount of oxalate in the body, thus increasing the risk of stone formation.
Vegetables like beetroot are also one of the foods with a higher oxalate content. If the patient wants to eat vegetables, you can choose some vegetables with low oxalic acid content, such as pumpkin, winter melon, cucumber and so on. The oxalic acid content in these vegetables is relatively low, and the oxalic acid content in cucumbers is about 90 mg per 100 grams, which has less impact on oxalic acid levels in the body.
Control your calcium intake
Although calcium is an essential mineral for the human body, patients with oxalate stones need to pay attention to the way calcium is taken. It is generally not recommended to consume large amounts of high calcium foods and high oxalate foods at the same meal. Because oxalic acid will combine with calcium oxalate to form calcium oxalate, increasing the risk of stones. For example, if you're going to eat milk (high in calcium), don't eat spinach (high in oxalates) at the same time.
However, calcium intake should not be overly restricted, as proper calcium intake is necessary for maintaining physiological functions such as bone health. You can distribute calcium intake evenly throughout the day and prioritize calcium sources that are low in oxalate, such as calcium in dairy products, especially dairy products that have been processed to reduce oxalate content.
Increase water intake
Drinking plenty of water is very important for patients with oxalate stones. Adequate water intake can dilute the concentration of substances such as oxalic acid and calcium in the urine, reducing the chance of stone formation. It is recommended to drink at least 2-3 liters of water a day. It can be plain water or some drinks that do not contain oxalic acid, such as lemon water (citric acid can inhibit stone formation to a certain extent).
Get into the habit of drinking water at regular intervals, such as drinking a certain amount of water in regular intervals, rather than waiting until you are thirsty. Because when you feel thirsty, the body is already mildly dehydrated and urine has begun to concentrate, which increases the risk of stone formation.
Moderate protein intake
Protein intake should be moderate and high-protein diets should be avoided. Too much protein increases urinary calcium, uric acid, and oxalic acid excretion, which increases the risk of stone formation. For example, red meat (beef, pork, lamb) has a high protein content, and excessive consumption of these meats will cause the body to produce too much metabolic waste, including oxalic acid. You can eat a moderate amount of white meat, such as chicken, fish, etc., which has a high protein bioavailability and produces relatively little metabolic waste.
Pay attention to oxalic acid in food additives
Some food additives may contain oxalic acid. Patients should read food labels carefully and avoid food additives containing oxalic acid and its salts. For example, preservatives or pH regulators containing oxalic acid may be added to some processed foods, which may increase oxalic acid intake.