The Low Oxalate Diet
This list was adapted from The Low Oxalate Cookbook published by The Vulvar Pain Foundation. This cookbook is a necessity for anyone following the low oxalate diet. It includes recipes, tips, guidelines, and other information about low oxalate eating.
Foods marked with * may cause irritation although they are not high in oxalate. It may be best to avoid these at first. If a food has been listed as both low and medium in different tests, it is listed only in the medium group. If a food has been listed as both medium and high in different tests, it is listed in the medium group and indicated by the notation "(?high)" as well as being listed in the high group. Foods with double question marks (i.e. ?Pumpkin?) have not been tested, but anecdotal evidence seems to imply oxalate content or irritation potential.
You may want to eat only low oxalate foods at first until your symptoms begin to improve. Then, you can add medium oxalate foods one at a time, eating a small amount three days in a row. If your pain does not increase, you may add that food to your diet as a medium oxalate food.
Eat only two servings a day from the medium group. All servings are 1/2 cup unless otherwise indicated. It is not a good idea to try to eliminate all oxalate from your diet because your body will just manufacture more. Moderate consumption is necessary. Of course, you must eliminate the high oxalate foods from your diet completely.
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BEVERAGES |
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Low Oxalate |
Medium Oxalate |
High Oxalate |
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Barley water |
Beer (Budweiser) (12 oz)* |
Beer - lager draft, Tuborg, Pilsner |
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CONDIMENTS |
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Low Oxalate |
Medium Oxalate |
High Oxalate |
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Basil, fresh (1 tsp) |
Basil, fresh (1 tbsp) |
Cinnamon, ground (1½ tsps or more) |
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DAIRY |
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Low Oxalate |
Medium Oxalate |
High Oxalate |
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Butter |
none listed |
none listed |
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FATS |
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Low Oxalate |
Medium Oxalate |
High Oxalate |
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Butter |
none listed |
none listed |
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FRUITS |
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Low Oxalate |
Medium Oxalate |
High Oxalate |
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Apples, peeled |
Apples |
Blackberries |
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GRAINS |
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Low Oxalate |
Medium Oxalate |
High Oxalate |
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Cornflakes (Kellog's) |
Bagel (1 medium) (Lender's) |
Bread, whole wheat |
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LEGUMES, NUTS, AND SEEDS |
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Low Oxalate |
Medium Oxalate |
High Oxalate |
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Coconut |
?Cashews? |
Beans, green, waxed, dried |
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MEATS |
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Low Oxalate |
Medium Oxalate |
High Oxalate |
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Bacon (up to 9 strips) |
Bacon (10 or more slices) |
none listed |
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SWEETS |
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Low Oxalate |
Medium Oxalate |
High Oxalate |
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Corn syrup (Karo) (1 tbsp) |
Sponge cake (1 slice) |
Fig Newtons |
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VEGETABLES |
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Low Oxalate |
Medium Oxalate |
High Oxalate |
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Acorn squash |
Asparagus |
Beets - tops, roots, greens |
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OTHER FOODS |
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Low Oxalate |
Medium Oxalate |
High Oxalate |
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Carob |
Malt (1 tbsp) |
Chocolate, plain |


