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How to eat a low oxalate diet

Jill Harris, LPN, CHC Avatar

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Jill Harris, LPN, CHC

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Many of you leave the doctor’s office thinking you will never be able to eat a fruit or vegetable again. If that wasn’t bad enough chocolate and nuts are gone, too. Some of this sadly is true, most of it is not. I am here to bring you good news: Almost everything, high oxalate or not, can be incorporated into your diet safely.

Do you need a low oxalate diet? You may if your stones contain calcium oxalate crystals and your urine oxalate is high enough to pose risk.

If you do need a low oxalate diet, what is your goal? Less than 100 mg of diet oxalate is good; less than 50 mg is ideal.

If you want to read some of the science about urine oxalate and risk of stones and about how we get to the diet oxalate goals, it is summarized at the end of this article.

Here we assume you do need to lower the oxalate in your diet.

Read the full article at kidneystones.uchicago.edu.

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Jill Harris, LPN, CHC Avatar

About the Author

Jill Harris is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who specializes in kidney stone prevention. Her goal is to teach you what you need to know and, more importantly, how to put that knowledge to work so you can stop forming stones. For good. Learn the full Kidney Stone Diet®
  1. Angie Moulton Avatar
    Angie Moulton

    I need help on low -oxalate food diet. Thank you

    Reply
    1. Jill Harris Avatar
      Jill Harris

      Hi Angie,
      If you need help, please consider joining my kidney stone prevention course. You can read about it here: kidneystonediet.com
      Best, Jill

      Reply
      1. Bryna Avatar
        Bryna

        What do folks do for the pain while dumping? The pain in my left leg and lower back gets so bad that I can only lay on a mattress and cry until the worst of it passes. I am taking Advil 3 times a day but it only helps a bit. This pain is intense and very debilitating. Thank you in advance.
        BP

        Reply
        1. Jill Harris Avatar
          Jill Harris

          Hi Bryna,
          Most kidney stone patients are not experincing “dumping.” I would discuss with your doctor.
          j

          Reply
    2. Dawna Avatar
      Dawna

      I need help as well

      Reply
  2. Ben Andrews Avatar
    Ben Andrews

    The link to the “full article”, https://kidneystones.uchicago.edu/how-to-eat-a-low-oxalate-diet/, has an error code page (” SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_CERTIFICATE”) on my web browser (Firefox) that will not allow one to connect to it unless one uses an “advanced” access link.

    The webpage’s “Certificate” states that its “Validity”, lasts until “Not After
    10/1/2020, 4:59:59 PM (Mountain Standard Time)”

    Reply
    1. Jill Harris Avatar
      Jill Harris

      Hi Ben,
      The link goes to the University of Chicago’s site and it is down right now. They are aware and it will be fixed soon.
      Best, Jil

      Reply
  3. Jeffrey Kersey Avatar
    Jeffrey Kersey

    I want to buy you book, how to eat a low oxalate diet. I am desperate!

    Reply
    1. Jill Harris Avatar
      Jill Harris

      Hi Jeff,
      I have an article called that but not a book.
      You can find that article at kidneystonediet.com/blog
      j

      Reply
  4. Ruth Avatar
    Ruth

    Hi Jill! I have been following the fb group, reading your articles and watching blogs. At 66yo, I’ve only ever had 1 stone- calcium oxalate and think due to bariatric surgery and high (80-110gms) protein and low (20) total carbs for years. So, I’m actually adding things back in my diet with oxalates but watching the highest I’ve been eating a lot of like spinach and almonds. Dr does not plan on doing 24hr urine at this point. Thank you for ALL your research and expertise! Comforting!

    Reply
    1. Jill Harris, LPN, CHC Avatar
      Jill Harris, LPN, CHC

      Hi Ruth,
      As you add food back in, you def should have a follow-up urine collection to see where your values stand. You do not want to make another stone so double-checking will be essential. And this is assuming that you have had the initial 24-hour urine collection. LMK-

      Reply
  5. Shubhendu Shekhar Avatar
    Shubhendu Shekhar

    How does one measure oxalate on a day to day basis ?

    Reply
    1. Jill Harris, LPN, CHC Avatar
      Jill Harris, LPN, CHC

      Hi Shubhendu,
      Look at the list found here and add it up each day best you can.
      j

      Reply
  6. Christine Rawlinson Avatar
    Christine Rawlinson

    I have medullary sponge kidney. Since it was discovered when I was 30. I am 76 now and then there were no guidelines or information on oxalate diets etc. just drink more water! I have had numerous kidney stone removal surgeries over the years. I follow as much as possible a low oxalate diet. However my ultrasounds still show many small chips scattered throughout both kidneys. Besides drinking lots of water, is there any truth to dissolving stones either ingesting vinegar or lemon juice ??

    Reply
    1. Jill Harris, LPN, CHC Avatar
      Jill Harris, LPN, CHC

      Hi Christine,
      No, you will not be able to dissolve them with potions as most likely your stones are calcium in nature, not uric acid. Don’t forget that there is much to this than just oxalate. Here is a good article for you to read: https://kidneystonediet.com/what-is-the-kidney-stone-diet/

      Reply

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