# Is rhubarb bad for kidney stones? Source: https://kidneystonediet.com/preview/ep/is-rhubarb-bad-for-kidney-stones/ Published: 2023-08-15 --- [![Kidney Stone Diet Podcast](https://kidneystonediet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Kidney-Stone-Diet-Podcast-1-1024x1024.jpg)](https://kidneystonediet.com/preview/podcast/) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBxcqzJSe3k)[Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-rhubarb-bad-for-kidney-stones/id1528474326?i=1000624534440&uo=4)[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/7C4TDpbGa6mwxgZTqvki8y)[Amazon Music](https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0868148d-adfd-411d-b3f2-71a0ad1461ec) August 15, 2023 --- ![Jeff Sarris](https://kidneystonediet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Jeff-Sarris-150x150.jpg) Jeff Sarris Host ![Jill Harris](https://kidneystonediet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Kidney-Stone-Diet-Jill-Harris-150x150.jpg) Jill Harris Host This week, Jill answers a listener question about rhubarb and whether it’s safe to eat for kidney stone formers. This podcast is designed to entertain and inform — not provide medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any treatment. **HAVE A QUESTION? _**\ Leave us a voicemail at (773) 789-8763. \ **SUPPORT THE SHOW _** - [Join the Patreon](https://patreon.com/kidneystonediet) - Rate Kidney Stone Diet on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidney-stone-diet/id1528474326) or [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/5O9BXOJUFnnT6JSgfxramx?si=T6lIOozgTUO8K6MobpVWsQ) - **BUY JILL’S FAVORITE PRODUCTS _** - [Silk Coconut Milk, Unsweetened](https://amzn.to/3jUd9x8) - [Good Karma Non Dairy Unsweetened Flaxmilk](https://amzn.to/3vQZN7J) - [Ripple Unsweetened Pea Milk](https://amzn.to/3GOP7wB) - [Oatly Unsweetened Oat Milk](https://amzn.to/3Gvjwi2) - [Healthy ‘N Fit 100% Egg Protein](https://amzn.to/3lgfXWb) - [Fairlife Core Power Elite High Protein Shake, Vanilla](https://amzn.to/3jlVKNV) - [Hydroflask](https://amzn.to/3CAD2bU) **WORK WITH JILL _** - [Kidney Stone Prevention Course](https://kidneystonediet.com/kidney-stone-prevention) - [Kidney Stone Diet Meal Plans](https://kidneystonediet.com/mealplans/) - [Safe Snacks and Desserts Ebook](https://kidneystonediet.com/ebook/) - [24 Hour Urine Collection Analysis](https://kidneystonediet.com/24-hour-urine-analysis/) - [Private Coaching](https://kidneystonediet.com/coaching/) **KIDNEY STONE RESOURCES _** - [Kidney Stone Diet](https://kidneystonediet.com/) - [Kidney Stone Diet Resources](https://kidneystonediet.com/resources/) - [Oxalate Food List](https://kidneystonediet.com/oxalate-list/) - [Kidney Stone Diet Recipes](https://kidneystonediet.com/recipes/) - [Meat Protein Calculator](https://kidneystonediet.com/protein/) - [Kidney Stone Diet Podcast](https://kidneystonediet.com/podcast) \ **WHO IS JILL HARRIS? _**\ Jill is a nurse and health coach that specializes in educating patients on kidney stone prevention. For more than 20 years she’s helped patients understand that kidney stones can be prevented with the right treatment plan. It’s one thing to be told to lower oxalate or drink more water, but HOW do you do it? That’s where she comes in. Through the educational resources at [kidneystonediet.com](https://kidneystonediet.com/), stone formers can learn everything they need to know to significantly lower new stone risk. *Some of the links above may be affiliate links which means that we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!\*\ —— ***Kidney Stone Diet is a SPYR Podcast _****\*\ [*More SPYR Podcasts*](http://spyr.fm/)*_*\ Starting Now / By Amara ## Chapters - 00:00:00 Medical Disclaimer and Episode Opening - 00:03:00 Rhubarb Oxalate Content Versus Almonds - 00:04:23 Rhubarb Oxalate Levels and Moderation Strategy - 00:08:14 Oxalate Lists and Listener Question Value - 00:12:40 Dietary Habits and Reintroducing Safe Foods - 00:16:15 Submitting Voice Memos via Email - 00:17:23 Kidney Stone Support and Community Resources ## Transcript ### Medical Disclaimer and Episode Opening 00:00:00 Jeff Sarris The following is designed to entertain and inform, not provide medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any new treatment. [music] Welcome back to the Kidney Stone Diet podcast, the show about reducing your kidney stone risk and living your best life. I'm your host and fellow student, Jeff Sarris. 00:00:28 Jill Harris And I'm Jill Harris, your kidney stone prevention nurse. Jeff, you know, so when we started, when we saw each other right now, for those of you that are listening to us on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcast, we both have white on. That has never happened because we don't I never wear white and neither do you. I have never seen you in white, so this is we did not call each other and plan this, folks. That's for sure. It's very funny to me. 00:00:57 Jeff Sarris This is the one white shirt I own and we've like So, if anyone's watching and listening, you can tell it sounds and looks different because Amara and I are in New Jersey visiting her dad, so we're in a little beach town. So, got a little got a little sun, wearing the white shirt. It balances out better, feel a little more tan than normal, so. I like it. 00:01:16 Jill Harris Yeah, you're feeling it, baby. I see that. I love it. I love it. You look very nice in white. I think we both look nice in white. It's just a nice change, right? 00:01:24 Jeff Sarris Yeah, for sure. Yeah, I mean, always black and white. 00:01:27 Jill Harris I'm very virginal, which we all know I'm not. Feel that way. 00:01:33 Jeff Sarris There you go. But, yeah, I mean it's just Yeah, it's just it's really funny. So coincidental, very unexpected. But, yeah, recording this one from the road. Little changing it up a bit. We'll be back to the in-studio, in air quotes, version next time. But, yeah, we just wanted to get this one in, make sure we don't miss a week because we are We've missed one so far. We don't want to miss anything. This is it's important to be here and help as many people as we can. 00:01:57 Jill Harris Yes, and it's This is one of the best things about, you know, owning your own business, being able to work online. You can just do it. You know, Jeff and Amara are on vacation and they're still able to do it. So, it's it's We have a We have a pretty nice life as far as convenience as far as that goes. I mean, but then also I'm answering emails on Sunday night at 11:00. It's 24/7 all the time, right? So, but you got to count the blessings and this is a true blessing to be able to do what we do anytime we want, right? So, that's amazing. So good. 00:02:28 Jeff Sarris Yeah, we've crafted the thing that we want to be spending our time doing. And we fitted in with a life, lifestyle, whatever that goes hand-in-hand. And I think that's really important. Like finding our path in life is that's the one that we want to lead. 00:02:43 Jill Harris Yeah, we're lucky. I mean, yes, right now, we're working on a Sunday, but we could take a Tuesday off if we wanted to, right? So, it's the flexibility and the freedom in life that just are so important, at least for us, you know? It's just it's a must. It's a must. It's a must. ### Rhubarb Oxalate Content Versus Almonds 00:03:00 Jeff Sarris Yeah, absolutely. So, I am going to we have a call-in. This is the first one that's been sent to the email. So, it's a voice memo, just like you see me using my phone right now. You can turn on your voice memos, you can talk into it, record, and email your questions to podcast@kidneystonediet.com. This is good if you're out of the country because you don't want to do international calling. But if you are in the States, 773-789-8763. Because, yeah, we love getting everyone's voice on the show. So, let me dive into this week's question. If the volume is crazy for you, let me know, but hopefully this all works well. Okay. Hi Jill and Jeff, this is Sabine from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. I have a question about rhubarb. On the high oxalate foods to avoid, rhubarb is right underneath spinach, but Jill never mentions anything about rhubarb and not to eat it. Wouldn't it be more important to avoid rhubarb than a certain amount of almonds? I would appreciate clarification. Thanks, and thanks for doing such a great job. I find your information very beneficial. Thanks, bye. ### Rhubarb Oxalate Levels and Moderation Strategy 00:04:23 Jill Harris I can't even tell you how much I love Sabine. Now, there's a There's something I want to say. So, I've been doing this for a very long time and Sabine is 100% right. I'm talking about almonds when rhubarb is, you know, 500 What is rhubarb? Whatever I said, it's over 500 mg per 1/2 cup, I believe. And she's right, I never mention it. And the reason why is because no one ever talks about it with me. Now, so it's just It's just not a common thing, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be talking about it. So, Sabine, you're right and I'm so grateful you pointed this out. You know why? Because from now on, it's going to be the Sabine rule. Jill, make sure, 'cause Sabine said you better talk about rhubarb, too. And she's right. So, it's a Typically, rhubarb is something people eat like rhubarb pie or, you know, rhubarb is in the South, right? So, it's It's pretty much a geographical food, meaning there's certain parts of the country that eat it. But I should still be talking about it. Now, this is very important and I say this to my private patients. Very important, so Sabine, God bless. I'm so happy you brought this up. When I talk about spinach, I don't think you should ever eat spinach again for the rest of your life 'cause it's almost 800 mg a cup of spinach and no one eats just a cup because it doesn't produce a lot of food. But, but, but if somebody ate a spinach salad, you know, once a month, you're not going to make a kidney stone from that. So, let's put it in perspective. You just won't. If you did eat a couple almonds, you know, a handful of almonds, a few almonds a day, put it in your yogurt, are you going to make a kidney stone? You know, they're high. They're over 120 mg. So, they're high. So, I wouldn't suggest to do that every day. But if you were having a hankering for an almond and you wanted to put a few in your yogurt once a week, is that going to make 'Cause it's you're going to bind it with calcium. Is that going to make a kidney stone? Very doubtful. If you wanted to have rhubarb pie 'cause Aunt Irene is bringing it over for dessert once a month, a piece, is that going to give you a kidney stone? No. Have it with some calcium, whether it's dairy or non-dairy. But I am going to incorporate this, Sabine, saying, "Rhubarb, almonds, spinach, don't overeat those things, okay?" I don't think you should ever have spinach again for those people who say, "If I have it, I'm going to want it every day." People who can't control their almonds every day, they should never have them, and that's a lot of people. And it wasn't just almonds the nut, it was almond milk and almond flour because they were on keto. Rhubarb, some people in the South, do eat this every day. They should not. It's too high in oxalate. So, yes, it should also just be taken away except once in a while. Once in a while means, you know, a few times a year you're going to have some rhubarb, a slice of rhubarb pie. So, because it doesn't come up, I mean, I think maybe one person in 25 years has brought up rhubarb being a problem for them, I just don't throw it in that category. But from now on, I'm going to and I appreciate you bringing that up. It's important because, you know, even though it's on the list, somebody says, "Well, Jill never talks about it. I'm having some rhubarb. I'm having it every day." So, it's a good catch and I appreciate it. What do you think, Jeff? What do you think? ### Oxalate Lists and Listener Question Value 00:08:14 Jeff Sarris Yeah, absolutely. Because that is the thing. You've been doing this for decades, but everyone has their own approach to their diet and lifestyle, and there's things like that, like you said, it's It just hasn't come up. But as soon as you look at the number Right before we chatted, this was the one time that we were just sort of like, "Oh, this'll be the topic today." Usually, you're going in completely blind. But as soon as you look, you're like, "Oh, no, this is extremely high." Like and, of course, like it's on the list. You can find everything at kidneystonediet.com/oxalate-list, and you can go through and see exactly how much oxalate is in all these foods from the Harvard studies. And, yeah, it was just one of those things. Yeah, it's just It just hasn't come up. And it's important, too, that we have people reaching out and asking the questions because there is bound to be someone else who had the same curiosity who just didn't reach out, just didn't say anything. So, yeah, Sabine, it really It means a lot. We appreciate you reaching out, for sure. 00:09:12 Jill Harris It does, because And this is one of the reasons I love doing what we do so much because there's always something. I'm like, "Oh, yeah, this and this." I mean, there's always just There's always just something. So, just because somebody hasn't You know, I don't hear about that every day. Like I said, in 25 years, one person has asked me once. So, it just doesn't come up, meaning like is this something people are overeating all the time? Well, I don't experience it, but that doesn't mean it happens. So, can Sabine have some rhubarb pie here and there? Absolutely. Is it super high in oxalate? Absolutely. But, see, I'm always very careful because what people do in real life, "Oh, she said I could have it." And then, they have it. And then, a week goes by and they're like, "Well, one more time." 'Cause maybe it is their favorite thing. A lot of people love spinach. A lot of people really are upset that they shouldn't eat spinach every day, juice it every day. Okay, so it's It is really important that you heed the warning there. So, there's some things that are so high I just take away. Should I take away rhubarb? Probably. I'm going to put it in that, just note people that it's over 500 mg for a 1/2 a cup. But I'm careful because if I say you can have it a little bit, people tend to forget and then that little bit becomes a little bit more, a little bit more, and before you know it, they're bringing in a really high oxalate food every day again. This happens. This happens. "Jill, I was so I know about spinach, but I was so worried about my diabetes, I just brought it back and I forgot all about it and then I was not having calcium anymore." Things happen. And so, she specifically asked, Sabine said, "But, you know, you're complaining about almonds and they're high, but you're taking away those and you're not taking away rhubarb?" Well, it's not on my radar because no one ever talks about it. But it doesn't mean that's right of me. So, I'm so grateful that you did. So, I'm, you know, I'm just very careful. So, I don't want people to take the things I say out of context. I would really like people not to eat spinach anymore. If they ate it twice a year, would they make a stone? No. No. Okay? And you may be listening going right now, "Well, on my birthday, I'm having spinach and cake, I don't care what she says." Have your calcium that day, get rid of the spinach the next day. So, so I'm I'm I'm just hesitant because, you know, people, even though I say things, people do other things with my words. So, I'm just careful. I would If I was making stones, and people in my family make stones, so I come from stoners, I would not eat spinach. I just wouldn't. I just wouldn't do it 'cause it's so high. I probably would have an almond here and there 'cause I'm not going to overeat them. And rhubarb, if I liked rhubarb pie, I'd have a slice, right? If I loved spinach, I guess I would have a spinach salad once in a while. But I just, you know, they're so high, why bother? If somebody really loves something, I can understand when they say, "But I love it and I want to have it as a treat once a year." Okay. You're not going to make a stone from having it, right? It's what we do every day, in the quantity we're doing it, without getting enough fluids, eating too much salt, not getting any calcium needs met, you know, all of those things, too much added sugar. That's what the problem is, not that we had spinach twice a year, it's what we did every single day. Makes sense, Jeff? ### Dietary Habits and Reintroducing Safe Foods 00:12:40 Jeff Sarris Absolutely. Yeah, and it's so much habits, too, because So always habits, yeah. Yeah, and being a kid growing up, most people are like, "Ugh, spinach, that's gross." But we've sort of conditioned, we've been conditioned now that like almonds and spinach, that helps us lose weight, that helps us be healthy. Like we're we're actually taking our health into our own hands is a lot of times what we think about. So, now I like it, where it might even be just like, "Oh, what happens when I stop eating spinach? Like how do I stay healthy?" Which, like of course, we have the whole Kidney Stone Diet and meal plans and everything that showcases just how much is available to eat that it's it's about being healthy. Like that's the whole the whole point of the diet is living your best life. That's the that's sort of the second half of the thing and it's it's more than just exclusions and taking things away. 00:13:33 Jill Harris I, you know, I spend most of my days adding foods back. And if I had one wish, it would be that people don't focus so much upon I would about oxalate. I would really like them to focus on their salt and their added sugar because that just makes for better health overall when we're paying attention to that. The other thing is, I would really like people to get a wide variety of food. "Jill, I don't like any food. I don't like anything." I have a nephew that just eats basically spinach and pizza. I mean, he's just That's all he does. That's all he eats and he makes stones, by the way. And, you know, there needs to be a variety. People eating the same foods over and over. And when I say that, people are like, "Oh, I can't have two day two days' worth of food the same thing?" No, I'm not saying that. I'm talking about somebody eating a ham and cheese sandwich for 25 years. No. Can we have something else for lunch? So, the meal plan that we have at kidneystonediet.com, it's all Kidney Stone Diet safe, and it shows you. Look at all this food you can have. "But, Jill, that has black beans." But look at the amount! Look at the oxalate! All the oxalate's calculated for you, so you know every breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, everything's calculated for you so you don't have to do it. But also, it shows you have such a wide variety. People take the oxalate portion of this diet and run with it, man. And it's just really the least important part. Once you take away spinach, almond products, and, Sabine, rhubarb. I'm going to add it now. Rhubarb is very high, so I'm going to add that to the list, but, okay, so we just don't overdo those foods. We pretty much take them away. You want a treat once a year, whether it's a rhubarb pie or spinach or whatever, get your calcium needs met, move on the next day. But a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, they are your friends, folks. Lots of low oxalate fruits and vegetables. And if you don't overeat the same fruits and vegetables every single day in large quantities, I promise you, and get your calcium needs met, everyone's oxalate goes from 75 to 23, honestly. So, getting your calcium is the most important part of lowering oxalate. And if you don't do dairy, there's plenty of non-dairy sources. So, I am really grateful for Sabine's question. It was very eye-opening for me, only because she is right. I don't talk about it and today's video is all for you, lovey, all about rhubarb. We're going to name it. What should we name it? Well, we'll talk about that, but "Jill Screwed Up: What She Thinks About Rhubarb." ### Submitting Voice Memos via Email 00:16:15 Jeff Sarris Nice! Yeah, that was a great question, Sabine. And thanks, again. If you're If you have a question, you can always record a voice memo in your phone. You just open the memos app, record yourself asking a question, you can email it to email that recording to podcast@kidneystonediet.com. Or you can call 773-789-8763 and we will you can leave a voicemail there and we'll feature you on a future episode. So, yeah, thanks again, Sabine, and I'm sure 00:16:43 Jill Harris Hold on. I want to show people what that app looks like, 'cause old people like me are like, "What does that app look like?" It's all good. Voice memos. 00:16:53 Jeff Sarris Yeah, and there should be one on an Android phone that's very similar, but, yeah. 00:16:57 Jill Harris Yeah. 00:16:58 Jeff Sarris Yeah, just voice memos on your iPhone. 00:17:00 Jill Harris Yeah, you click it, you talk into it, and then you have an option to send it as an email. So, very easy, so you're not paying for the call to call in. 00:17:07 Jeff Sarris Yeah, and we appreciate the person who had responded, commented before, they were based in Australia and it makes sense. It hadn't occurred to either of us that, "Oh yeah, of course. Someone's not going to call internationally into the number." So, yeah, thanks again to everyone. See, this is ### Kidney Stone Support and Community Resources 00:17:23 Jill Harris Thank God for community. I'm telling you. Listen, there's nobody here that knows everything in the world, so, you know, please feel free to call. But also, I was thinking about it because I've been having a rough time lately, and I'm like, "You know what? I love our community so much." When we're in for the Kidney Stone Prevention Course and where we're in the group calls with Jill, we are talking about so many great things and the sense of community that we're trying to put forth here, Jeff and I and Dave, our other partner. You know, guys, we are so grateful for you. I know you're always like, "You guys are the best," but we're really grateful for you. Everybody goes through things and building a community, whether it's here on YouTube, Facebook page, the newsletter family, I mean, there's like 75,000 followers in all of our platforms, and, by the way, people, please subscribe. We're trying to get 10,000 subscribers. All you have to do is click that red button and we'd really appreciate it. Click the red button and subscribe so we can get 10,000. And I'm also going to give away a free consult, a couple of them, once we get the 10,000. So, once you do subscribe, make sure you put it in the comments so I know and I'll put you in the raffle. But we're very grateful for the community we have. What were you going to say, Jeff? 00:18:40 Jeff Sarris I was just going to say, and that's here on YouTube if you're watching this. Subscribe on YouTube because, yeah, we want to reach as many people. You for sort of inside baseball kind of thing, YouTube is the second largest search engine behind Google. So, we want to make sure that we're able to reach as many people as we can who search exclusively through YouTube. So, that's really why we ask, if you can subscribe, if you hit the little bell, it all helps to tell YouTube that, "Oh, yeah, this is valuable content and more people should see it." 00:19:07 Jill Harris Yeah, and one more thing. There's always a There's a lot of community here in the YouTube channel, always asking comments or saying kind things, and I'm pretty caught up on the comments, but I just wanted to say thank you. I, like I said, it's very important we build a cohesive, supportive, loving community, so no one feels alone with their illness. I have felt that throughout my throughout my illness some days and I know how that feels. So, I want you to know that we're here, that everyone who's watching the YouTube channel, we're here for each other. So, thanks for being part of the community. Means a lot to us. I'm done, Jeff. 00:19:42 Jeff Sarris Oh, yeah, that's perfect. And, yeah, so just ending on gratitude. Thank you, Sabine. Thank you, everyone who has called in, everyone who's helped support the channel. If you want to dive deeper, you can go to kidneystonediet.com and find everything, all the resources, free and paid, free and paid, but there's practically an infinite amount of free content, so you never have to spend a penny. We're just trying to help as many people as we can. Yeah, thanks again for tuning in and we'll see you next time. 00:20:08 Jill Harris Thanks, Queen Sabine. Thank you so much for helping us. Everybody, have a good day. Bye.