🟢 Safe
Oxalate <25 mg/serving
🟡 Caution
Oxalate 25-99 mg/serving
🔴 Avoid
Oxalate ≥100 mg/serving
🟢

Bananas

🟢 Safe — Low Oxalate
6 mg oxalate / serving
Serving: 1 medium (118 g) | Per 100 g: 5 mg
✓ Medically Reviewed Content reviewed by OxalateWatch Editorial Team. Based on Harvard T.H. Chan SPH oxalate data (2024) and NKF/AUA dietary guidelines.

If there were a "safest fruit for kidney stones" award, bananas would be a strong contender. One medium banana has about 6 mg of oxalate — well under the 25 mg safe threshold. They're also cheap, available year-round in every grocery store, portable without packaging, and require zero preparation. For anyone building a kidney-stone-safe diet from scratch, bananas belong near the top of the shopping list. The potassium content is a bonus: potassium citrate is sometimes prescribed for stone prevention because it alkalizes urine, and while a banana won't replace medication, the dietary potassium is directionally helpful. If you're looking for a grab-and-go food with zero oxalate anxiety, this is it. Just don't fry them or coat them in chocolate — the banana itself is innocent.

📊 Nutrition at a Glance

6 mg
Oxalate / serving
Low Oxalate
Sodium / 100g
Pending
Protein / 100g
Pending
Calcium / 100g
Pending

📏 Oxalate by Serving Size

ServingWeightOxalateVerdict
1 medium118 g6 mg Safe
2 x 1 medium236 g12 mg Safe
½ x 1 medium59 g3 mg Safe

🏷️ Tags

Fruits 🟢 Oxalate Safe Low Oxalate Plant-Based

🟢 See all Fruits rated Safe for kidney stones →

🔗 Related Foods

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I eat Bananas with kidney stones?

No red flags here. Just 6 mg per 1 medium — well below the 25 mg danger line. You can keep Bananas in your regular rotation. Data comes from Harvard (2024).

How much oxalate is in Bananas?

Here are the numbers: 6 mg oxalate in one 1 medium of Bananas (118g). Per 100 grams, that's 5 mg. Harvard T.H. Chan SPH did the lab work (2024) — these aren't database guesses.

Is Bananas high in oxalates?

Low. 6 mg per 1 medium puts Bananas firmly in the low-oxalate category. Safe for regular eating if you're managing kidney stones.

What are the best low-oxalate alternatives to Bananas?

The easiest move: swap Bananas for any 🟢 Safe food in the related foods grid. They're all under 25 mg per serving and verified by Harvard's 2024 data. Problem solved.

How reliable is the data for Bananas?

Oxalate: very reliable (Harvard 2024 lab measurement). Other nutrients: still being matched to USDA data. The oxalate figure is what matters for a kidney stone decision, and that one's solid.

🔍 Explore More About This Food

📚 Data Sources

Oxalate: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2024) via OHF.

📖 Key Scientific References

Taylor EN, Curhan GC. Oxalate intake and the risk for nephrolithiasis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007;18(7):2198-2204. PMID: 17538185
Borghi L, Schianchi T, Meschi T, et al. Comparison of two diets for the prevention of recurrent stones in idiopathic hypercalciuria. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(2):77-84. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa010369
Fink HA, Akornor JW, Garimella PS, et al. Diet, fluid, or supplements for secondary prevention of nephrolithiasis. Eur Urol. 2009;56(1):72-80. DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2009.03.031
Ferraro PM, Taylor EN, Gambaro G, Curhan GC. Dietary and lifestyle factors for primary prevention of nephrolithiasis. BMC Nephrol. 2020;21(1):267. PMID: 32652950
Pearle MS, Goldfarb DS, Assimos DG, et al. Medical management of kidney stones: AUA guideline. J Urol. 2014;192(2):316-324. DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2014.05.006
Liebman M, Costa G. Effects of calcium and magnesium on urinary oxalate excretion after oxalate loads. J Urol. 2000;163(5):1565-1569. PMID: 10751889
Holmes RP, Assimos DG. The impact of dietary oxalate on kidney stone formation. Urol Res. 2004;32(5):311-316. DOI: 10.1007/s00240-004-0437-3
Lin BB, Lin ME, Huang RH, et al. Dietary treatment and fluid intake for prevention of recurrent calcium stones. PLoS One. 2021;16(4):e0250257. PMID: 33872340
This is dietary reference information, NOT medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before changing your diet. Oxalate tolerance varies by person, stone type, and medication.