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

Buttermilk, cultured

🟢 Safe — Low Oxalate
0 mg oxalate / serving
Serving: 1 cup (245 g) | Per 100 g: 0 mg
✓ Medically Reviewed Content reviewed by OxalateWatch Editorial Team. Based on Harvard T.H. Chan SPH oxalate data (2024) and NKF/AUA dietary guidelines.

Buttermilk is zero oxalate, about 280 mg calcium per cup, and tangy enough to use in marinades, dressings, and baking. Despite the name, it's low in fat (cultured buttermilk is made from skim milk). The calcium makes it actively helpful for binding oxalate. Use it in pancakes, biscuits, fried chicken marinades, or drink it straight if you enjoy the taste. From a kidney stone perspective, buttermilk is a dairy win.

📊 Nutrition at a Glance

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

📏 Oxalate by Serving Size

ServingWeightOxalateVerdict
1 cup245 g0 mg Safe
2 x 1 cup490 g0 mg Safe
½ x 1 cup122 g0 mg Safe

🏷️ Tags

Dairy & Eggs 🟢 Oxalate Safe Low Oxalate Calcium-Rich

🟢 See all Dairy & Eggs rated Safe for kidney stones →

🔗 Related Foods

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is Buttermilk safe for kidney stones?

Don't overthink this one. Buttermilk has 0 mg oxalate per 1 cup. That's solidly safe territory for kidney stones. The number is from Harvard's latest lab work.

What's the oxalate content of Buttermilk?

The exact figure: 0 mg of oxalate per 1 cup of Buttermilk. Works out to 0 mg/100g. This is the number kidney stone patients actually need. Harvard (2024) verified.

Is Buttermilk low or high oxalate?

Nope. Buttermilk is a low-oxalate food — just 0 mg per 1 cup. Well under the 25 mg cutoff. You're in the clear with this one.

What are the best low-oxalate alternatives to Buttermilk?

Look at the 'Safe Alternatives' section right below this FAQ. Those foods are all under 25 mg oxalate per serving and in the same category as Buttermilk. Pick from those.

How reliable is the data for Buttermilk?

The oxalate number for Buttermilk — 0 mg per serving — is from Harvard's 2024 lab analysis. That part is solid. The USDA nutrition data (sodium, protein, calcium) is still being matched — we'll update when it's available.

🔍 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.