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

Cabbage, green, boiled or steamed

🟢 Safe — Low Oxalate
3 mg oxalate / serving
Serving: 1/2 cup (78 g) | Per 100 g: 4 mg
✓ Medically Reviewed Content reviewed by OxalateWatch Editorial Team. Based on Harvard T.H. Chan SPH oxalate data (2024) and NKF/AUA dietary guidelines.

Cabbage is one of the most underrated vegetables for kidney stone patients. 3 mg oxalate per half-cup, dirt cheap ($0.25/serving), and one head makes 4-5 meals. It lasts 2+ weeks in the fridge. Green cabbage, red cabbage, Napa cabbage, and savoy cabbage are all cruciferous vegetables — the same family as broccoli and cauliflower — and all similarly low in oxalate. Sautee it with onions and garlic, shred it raw for coleslaw, or add it to soups. If you're trying to eat more vegetables while keeping oxalate low, cabbage should be near the top of your list. It's the anti-spinach.

📊 Nutrition at a Glance

3 mg
Oxalate / serving
Low Oxalate
16 mg
Sodium / 100g
Low Na
1.0 g
Protein / 100g
Tier 1
41 mg
Calcium / 100g
Tier 1

📏 Oxalate by Serving Size

ServingWeightOxalateVerdict
1/2 cup78 g3 mg Safe
2 x 1/2 cup156 g6 mg Safe
½ x 1/2 cup39 g1.5 mg Safe

🏷️ Tags

Vegetables 🟢 Oxalate Safe Low Oxalate Plant-Based

🟢 See all Vegetables rated Safe for kidney stones →

⚖️ Compare this food: · vs Beet Powder · vs Swiss Chard

🔗 Related Foods

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Should I avoid Cabbage if I have kidney stones?

No red flags here. Just 3 mg per 1/2 cup — well below the 25 mg danger line. You can keep Cabbage in your regular rotation. Data comes from Harvard (2024).

How much oxalate is in Cabbage?

One 1/2 cup of Cabbage = 3 mg oxalate. Scale it up to 100g and you're at 4 mg. Direct measurement from Harvard, 2024. About as reliable as food data gets.

Is Cabbage high in oxalates?

Nope. Cabbage is a low-oxalate food — just 3 mg per 1/2 cup. Well under the 25 mg cutoff. You're in the clear with this one.

What are the best low-oxalate alternatives to Cabbage?

There are almost always safer swaps in the same food family. For Cabbage, check the related foods section below — the green-marked ones are your best bets. All verified by Harvard (2024).

How much sodium does Cabbage have?

Low sodium: 16 mg/100g. That's a non-issue for kidney stones. Just don't undo it by drowning it in salt during cooking.

🔍 Explore More About This Food

📚 Data Sources

Oxalate: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2024) via OHF. Nutrition: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy 2018 & Foundation Foods).

📖 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.