How Much Oxalate Is in Nopal (Prickly Pear)?

A standard serving of Nopal (Prickly Pear) (1/2 cup, about 75g) contains 87 mg of oxalate. That works out to roughly 116 mg per 100 grams. These numbers are direct lab measurements from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2024), via the OHF database. For context, the safe threshold for kidney stone patients is 25 mg per serving. Based on its 87 mg, Nopal (Prickly Pear) falls in the Caution category.

✓ Medically Reviewed Based on Harvard T.H. Chan SPH oxalate data (2024) and NKF/AUA dietary guidelines.

87
mg oxalate
per serving

Food: Nopal (Prickly Pear), cooked
Serving: 1/2 cup (75 g)
Verdict: 🟡 Caution
Per 100g: 116 mg
Data: Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024)

🔄 Lower-Oxalate Alternatives

🟢 Passion Fruit or Granadilla

0 mg / serving

💡 What This Means for Your Diet

What this means: Nopal (Prickly Pear) is rated Caution (🟡). At 87 mg oxalate per serving, Nopal (Prickly Pear) is in the moderate zone (25-99 mg). It's manageable with portion awareness — try smaller servings, less frequent consumption, and pairing with calcium-rich foods. Track total daily oxalate to stay under ~100 mg.

📊 How Nopal (Prickly Pear) Compares

Among vegetables, Nopal (Prickly Pear) sits well above the category average of 27 mg. For context, 219 out of 271 vegetables (80%) are rated 🟢 Safe (under 25 mg oxalate/serving). The average vegetables in our database has 27 mg oxalate per serving — which means Nopal (Prickly Pear) is 222% above the category norm. Within its specific category, Nopal (Prickly Pear) ranks on the higher end for oxalate. This context matters because two 'Safe' foods can have very different oxalate levels — one might have 5 mg while another has 24 mg. Both are Safe, but the first gives you more dietary flexibility. Browse all vegetables rated Caution to compare within the same verdict level.

❓ Related Questions

Why does oxalate per 100g matter?

The per-100g number lets you compare foods on an equal-weight basis, regardless of serving size. It's useful when two foods have very different typical serving sizes, or when you eat more or less than a standard serving.

How accurate is the oxalate measurement?

Harvard's 2024 analysis used ion chromatography — the gold standard for oxalate measurement. These are direct lab values, not estimates or database calculations. Variability exists between samples, but this is the most reliable reference available.

How does this compare to other foods?

Foods under 25 mg per serving are rated Safe. Foods between 25-99 mg are Caution. 100+ mg is Avoid. Check the food's category page on OxalateWatch to see how it compares to similar foods.

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.