Researchers tested whether online cooking classes could help people who get kidney stones learn to eat healthier. Forty-six adults who had kidney stones before took part in virtual cooking sessions that taught them how to prepare meals that reduce kidney stone risk. After the classes, participants felt more confident cooking, enjoyed trying new recipes, and felt better about making healthy choices like eating more vegetables, using less salt, and choosing lean meats. The results suggest that teaching people practical cooking skills might be an effective way to help them prevent kidney stones from coming back.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether online cooking classes could help people who have had kidney stones learn to eat in ways that prevent new stones from forming
  • Who participated: 46 adults aged 18 and older who had experienced kidney stones more than once
  • Key finding: After taking virtual cooking classes, participants reported significantly more confidence in making dietary changes to prevent kidney stones, including eating more fruits and vegetables, using less salt, and choosing healthier proteins
  • What it means for you: If you’ve had kidney stones, learning practical cooking skills through online classes may help you feel more confident making the dietary changes your doctor recommends. However, this is a small pilot study, so more research is needed before drawing firm conclusions.

The Research Details

This was a pilot study, which means it was a small test to see if an idea might work before doing a larger study. Researchers recruited adults who had experienced kidney stones multiple times and invited them to participate in virtual (online) cooking classes. Before the classes started, participants filled out surveys about their cooking habits and how confident they felt about making healthy food choices. After completing the cooking sessions, they filled out similar surveys again to see what had changed.

The virtual teaching kitchen sessions taught participants practical cooking skills and strategies for preparing meals that follow dietary guidelines known to help prevent kidney stones, such as the DASH diet. This approach was adapted from similar programs that had worked well for other health conditions, but this was the first time it was being tested specifically for kidney stone prevention.

Many people know they should eat healthier to prevent kidney stones, but knowing what to do and actually being able to do it are two different things. This study tested whether hands-on cooking instruction could bridge that gap by teaching people practical skills they could use at home. Understanding what works to help patients actually change their eating habits is important because it can lead to better health outcomes and fewer kidney stones.

This was a small pilot study with 46 participants, which is a good size for testing a new idea but not large enough to prove something works for everyone. The study used surveys before and after the intervention, which is a straightforward way to measure change. However, there was no control group (a group that didn’t take the classes) to compare against, which would have made the results stronger. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal focused on kidney health, which suggests it met scientific standards.

What the Results Show

After participating in the virtual cooking classes, participants reported meaningful improvements in multiple areas. They felt significantly more confident about making specific dietary changes that help prevent kidney stones, including reducing added sugar, choosing lean proteins, using spices instead of salt, eating more fruits and vegetables, and controlling portion sizes.

Beyond confidence, participants’ attitudes toward cooking itself improved. They reported enjoying trying new recipes more than before, feeling less frustrated when cooking, and finding cooking less tiring overall. These attitude changes are important because they suggest people are more likely to stick with healthy eating habits if they actually enjoy the process.

Participants also changed their perceptions about healthy eating. After the classes, they were more likely to view home-cooked meals as both affordable and healthy, which removes two common barriers people face when trying to eat better. Most participants reported satisfaction with the program, suggesting they found it helpful and would recommend it to others.

The study also found that participants felt more positive about cooking in general after the classes. This broader shift in attitude toward cooking is significant because it suggests the intervention didn’t just teach facts—it actually changed how people felt about preparing their own meals. When people enjoy cooking and feel confident doing it, they’re more likely to continue making healthy choices long-term.

Previous research has shown that dietary changes, particularly following the DASH diet, can reduce kidney stone risk. However, many patients struggle to implement these recommendations in their daily lives. This study builds on research showing that virtual cooking classes have successfully improved eating habits in other patient populations. This is the first study to apply this teaching kitchen approach specifically to people with kidney stones, filling a gap in the research.

The main limitation is that this was a small pilot study with only 46 participants, so results may not apply to all people who get kidney stones. The study relied on participants’ self-reported surveys, which means people might have reported what they thought the researchers wanted to hear rather than their true feelings. There was no control group that didn’t receive the intervention, so we can’t be completely sure the improvements were due to the cooking classes rather than other factors. The study didn’t follow participants over time to see if they actually maintained these dietary changes and whether they prevented kidney stones from returning. Additionally, we don’t know if the results would be similar for people with different backgrounds, ages, or cooking experience levels.

The Bottom Line

If you have had kidney stones, discussing virtual cooking classes with your doctor or kidney specialist may be worthwhile as a tool to help you learn practical ways to prevent future stones. The evidence from this study suggests moderate confidence that such classes can improve your confidence and attitudes about making dietary changes. However, this should be combined with medical advice from your healthcare provider about your specific situation. More research is needed before this becomes a standard recommendation.

This research is most relevant for adults who have experienced kidney stones more than once and want practical help making dietary changes. It may also interest healthcare providers who work with kidney stone patients and are looking for educational tools. People who have never had kidney stones don’t need to worry about this, though the healthy eating principles taught in these classes are beneficial for everyone.

Based on this study, participants reported improved confidence and attitudes immediately after completing the cooking classes. However, the study didn’t track how long these changes lasted or how quickly they prevented new kidney stones from forming. Realistically, you should expect to see changes in your confidence and cooking habits within weeks, but preventing kidney stones is a long-term commitment that requires ongoing dietary changes over months and years.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly meals prepared at home using kidney stone-friendly recipes, noting which recipes you enjoyed and felt confident making. Also track sodium intake and water consumption, as these are key factors in kidney stone prevention.
  • Use the app to access or bookmark kidney stone-friendly recipes from the cooking class, set reminders to try one new recipe per week, and log your confidence level (1-10 scale) when preparing meals that follow kidney stone prevention guidelines.
  • Create a long-term tracking system that monitors: (1) frequency of home-cooked meals versus restaurant meals, (2) confidence ratings for specific dietary practices (reducing salt, eating vegetables, choosing lean proteins), (3) water intake, and (4) any kidney stone symptoms or recurrences. Review progress monthly to identify which recipes and cooking methods you’re most likely to stick with.

This research describes a pilot study with a small number of participants and should not replace medical advice from your doctor or kidney specialist. If you have a history of kidney stones, consult with your healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes. While this study suggests virtual cooking classes may help improve confidence in making dietary changes, individual results may vary. This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice.