LOW OXALATE DIET

 

 

 

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Oxalate is a chemical found in a variety of plants. You may need to follow a low-oxalate diet if you have kidney stones, have lost a portion of your intestinal tract to surgery, or have trouble digesting fat.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Do not eat the foods on the high-oxalate food list, below. You may eat foods on the moderate-oxalate list 3 to 5 times each week, and foods on the low-oxalate list as often as you like. In addition, be sure to drink 1 cup (8 ounces) of water or other liquid every hour during the day. If you awaken during the night, drink another cup of liquid. If you are a coffee drinker, drink only 1 cup a day, and limit your cola drinks to 1 can a day. If you take vitamin C, do not take more than 1000 milligrams (1 gram) each day.

HIGH-OXALATE FOODS

(Avoid or eat only in small amounts.)

BEVERAGES

       Chocolate milk

       Chocolate drink mixes

       Hot cocoa

       Tea

FRUITS

       Berries of all kinds

       Currants

       Fruit cocktail

       Lemon, lime, orange peels

       Marmalade

       Purple grapes

       Rhubarb

       Tangerine

       Juices from these fruits

VEGETABLES

       Beans: green, wax, dried

       Beets and beet greens

       Celery

       Chives

       Cucumbers

       Eggplant

       Escarole

       Green peppers

       Greens of all kinds

       Kale

       Leeks

       Okra

       Parsley

       Rutabagas

       Spinach

       Summer squash

       Swiss chard

       Watercress

       Tomato soup

       Vegetable soup

STARCHES

       Amaranth

       Fruitcake

       Grits

       Soybean products

       Sweet potatoes

       Wheat germ and bran

MEATS and MEAT SUBSTITUTES

       Baked beans in tomato sauce

       Peanut butter

       Tofu

FATS and OILS

       Nuts (peanuts, almonds, pecans, cashews, and walnuts)

       Nut butters, sesame seeds, tahini

OTHER

       Carob

       Chocolate

       Cocoa

MODERATE-OXALATE FOODS

(Eat 3 to 5 times each week.)

FRUITS

       Apricots

       Black currants

       Cherries, sour

       Cranberry juice

       Grape juice

       Orange: fruit or juice

       Peaches

       Pears

       Pineapple

       Prunes

       Purple plums

       Jelly or jam made with these fruits

VEGETABLES

(Serving size: 1/2 cup cooked, 1 cup raw.)

       Asparagus

       Broccoli

       Brussels sprouts

       Carrots

       Corn

       Green peas, canned

       Lettuce

       Lima beans

       Parsnips

       Tomato (1 small, or 4 ounces [1/2 cup] juice)

       Turnips

MEATS and MEAT SUBSTITUTES

       Sardines

STARCHES

       Cornbread

       Sponge cake

       Spaghetti or tomato sauce

LOW-OXALATE FOODS

(Eat as often as you like.)

BEVERAGES

       Buttermilk

       Lemonade or limeade without added vitamin C

       Milk (all types)

FRUITS

       All those not listed above

       Juices, jams, jellies, and preserves made with these allowed fruits

VEGETABLES

       Avocado

       Cabbage

       Cauliflower

       Mushrooms

       Onions

       Peas (fresh or frozen)

       Potatoes

       Radishes

MEAT and MEAT SUBSTITUTES

       Beef, lamb, or pork

       Cheese

       Eggs

       Fish and shellfish

       Poultry

STARCHES

       Bread made without bran, wheat germ, or whole grains

       Cereals

       Macaroni

       Noodles

       Rice

       Spaghetti (plain)

FATS and OILS

       Bacon

       Butter

       Margarine

       Mayonnaise

       Salad dressing

       Vegetable oils

OTHER

       Coconut

       Lemon or lime juice

       Salt

       Sugar or sweeteners