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Kidney Stones

Preventing Kidney Stones: What Is a Low-Oxalate Diet?

Limiting foods high in oxalates may reduce the risk of a certain type of kidney stone.

Marisa Taylor KarasSanjai Sinha, MD
Written by Marisa Taylor Karas | Reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD
Updated on January 19, 2026
Reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD | January 20, 2026

Kidney stones can be caused by a variety of issues. One type of kidney stone is caused by high levels of oxalates in the diet. If a doctor determines that your kidney stones are caused by oxalates, they may recommend a low-oxalate diet. In this video, learn what foods to eat and which to limit for a low-oxalate diet.

Keep in mind that oxalates are not inherently harmful, and many healthy foods contain oxalates. There are generally no benefits to avoiding high-oxalate foods unless you are prone to this specific type of kidney stone.

References

Harris, J. (2015). How to eat a low oxalate diet. The University of Chicago.

National Kidney Foundation. (n.d.). Calcium oxalate stones.

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Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.
Sanjai Sinha, MD
Reviewed by:
Sanjai Sinha, MD
Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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