As it turns out, not all leafy greens are an abundant source of oxalates. Some, like kale, have very little of these natural, mineral-binding compounds. Leafy greens that are highest in oxalates include beet greens, purslane, rhubarb, spinach, chard, endive, and dandelion greens.
Some examples of foods that have high levels of oxalate include peanuts, rhubarb, spinach, beets, Swiss chard, chocolate and sweet potatoes. Limiting intake of these foods may be beneficial for people who form calcium oxalate stones which is the leading type of kidney stone.
Blueberries and blackberries have only 4 milligrams of oxalates per cup.
Some plant foods extremely high in oxalates include, but not limited to: Leafy greens – spinach, Swiss chard, kale, collard greens, celery, parsley, endive, beetroot greens, dandelion greens, and turnip greens. Root crops – beets, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and parsnips.
Meat, chicken and fish are not sources of oxalate. Milk, hard cheese, yogurt, ice cream, sour cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, buttermilk, custard and pudding do not contain oxalate.
Cooking and blanching leafy greens will significantly reduce its oxalate levels. Take a calcium supplement to reduce oxalate absorption in the gut.
Calcium is a nutrient that is found in dairy products, such as yogurt, milk and cheese. You need to eat calcium so that it can bind with oxalate in the stomach and intestines before it moves to the kidneys. Eating foods with calcium is a good way for oxalates to leave the body and not form stones.
Cauliflower, corn, cucumber, mushrooms, onions, peas, scallions, squash and zucchini are all fine. Tomatoes are fine, too; it is only the sauce that is high. Broccoli and green pepper are moderately high so watch the portion size.
Some of the lowest oxalate vegetables are lettuces like romaine, bibb and iceberg, as well as radishes, water chestnuts and cauliflower, which is being turned into pretty much anything these days.
Avocados contain a low amount of oxalate and are highly alkaline-forming in the body. Like most foods, portion size matters. A whole avocado has around 19 milligrams of oxalates, which absolutely categorizes it as a high-oxalate food. However, a single serving of avocado is 1/4 of the fruit.
Because oxalates are water soluble, they can be reduced by blanching, boiling, or steaming with the liquid discarded.
Low-oxalate vegetables which are also low in calories, include cabbage, chives, cauliflower, cucumbers, endive, kohlrabi, mushrooms, radishes and water chestnuts. Peas, which are legumes, are also low-oxalate.
Low oxalate protein and dairy include eggs, meat, poultry, fish, yogurt, cheese, milk, and butter. In addition, coffee, water, and fruit juice are considered low oxalate.
The ingestion of the lemon juice seems to dissipate a effect of great quantity of citrates which in turn increases the excretion of oxalates. The presence of these two elements simultaneously: citrate and oxalate compensate for their opposite effect.
All varieties of apples are low oxalate. By themselves, apples are the perfectly portioned portable snack!
Zucchini contains measurable amounts of naturally-occurring antinutrients called oxalates.
This study confirms that the oxalate contents of ready to eat green and gold kiwifruit are low and unlikely to significantly increase the daily intake of oxalates in the diet.
Peanuts, Spanish peanuts, peanut butter, ginkgo, cashew nuts and pecan nuts all contained relatively low levels of gastric soluble oxalate (147–250 mg gastric soluble oxalate/100 g FW). Almonds, Brazil, pine and candle nuts contained high levels of gastric soluble oxalate (492.0–556.8 mg/100 g FW).
Some foods that are relatively high in oxalate include broccoli, spinach, kale, okra, parsley, celery, Brussels sprouts, okra, dark leafy greens, and a not-so-green vegetable which leaves many surprised: carrots.