As a kidney stone former, you’ve most likely heard that #1 step towards kidney stones prevention is to drink loads of plain water. But we know that plain water can get boring at times, and may seem awfully bland compared to a refreshing soda.

Dr. Marshall Stoller, Head of University of California, San Francisco’s (UCSF) urinary stone division, is no stranger to such scenarios. “The most frequent question I get from kidney stone patient over the last 35 years is: What should I drink?” adds Dr. Stoller. In such scenarios, he offers three key hydration alternatives.