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17 Low Oxalate Breakfast Ideas to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

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If youโ€™re not sure what to eat in the mornings while on the low-oxalate diet, here are some of my best low-oxalate breakfast ideas to help you get started. Whether you enjoy a savory breakfast or crave something sweet to start your day, I got you covered.

A trio of breakfast foods: Pancakes with raspberries and syrup, an omelet with blueberry topping, and a bowl of oatmeal with a wooden spoon, placed side by side.

I started reducing my oxalate intake a few years ago, and I was very pleased to find out that most of my favorite breakfast foods are low in oxalates. Iโ€™m a big breakfast lover, so I wasnโ€™t ready to give up eggs, coffee, milk, and all my other morning staples.

Luckily, I didnโ€™t have to. However, there are still a lot of high-oxalate foods that anyone on the diet needs to be wary of. Letโ€™s discover how you can make your breakfast nutritious, tasty, and low-oxalate-friendly all at the same time.

What Are Oxalates?

According to the National Kidney Foundation, oxalates are naturally occurring substances in certain foods that can crystallize when excreted in urine. While oxalates themselves are not inherently harmful, an excess of them in the urine can bond with calcium and form hard crystal stones. These are called calcium oxalate stones, the most common type of kidney stone.

What are Calcium Oxalate Stones?

Calcium oxalate stones form when oxalate and calcium combine into hard masses in the kidney. According to Mount Sinai, around 80% of kidney stones contain calcium, typically paired with oxalate or oxalic acid.

These stones can cause severe pain and other symptoms, including:

  • Persistent stomachache
  • Blood in the urine
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fever
  • Foul-smelling urine
  • Cloudy urine

While some people can pass kidney stones without surgery, doctors may recommend surgical intervention to prevent blockages or infections. Your doctor may also recommend a low-oxalate diet to prevent the development or reoccurrence of calcium oxalate stones.

Woman holding a glass jar with lemon water and a straw.

What is the Low Oxalate Diet?

The low oxalate diet revolves around reducing your intake of dietary oxalates. The recommended limit varies, but according to the UC Kidney Stone Foundation, the ideal range for the low oxalate diet is 50 to 100mg of oxalates per day.

Going low oxalate could mean taking high oxalate foods out of your diet, focusing on low oxalate foods, or my preferred strategy: finding a good balance between high and low oxalate foods.

A low-oxalate diet aims to prevent the formation or recurrence of calcium oxalate stones, rather than promoting weight loss. However, the diet can support your health goals by reducing high-sodium and processed foods.

Your doctor might recommend a low-oxalate diet if you are at a higher risk of developing kidney stones. According to a 2021 study by BMC Urology and the National Kidney Foundation, risk factors for kidney stones include:

  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Opium use
  • Smoking 
  • Dehydration
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • A diet too high in protein, sugar, and sodium
A person holds four brown eggs in their outstretched hands.

Low-Oxalate Foods For Breakfast

This might sound like a cliche, but breakfast is truly the most important part of the day. However, the accuracy of that statement will depend on what you eat as you start your day. 

Personally, I like my breakfast to be filling, nutritious, and (for the most part) easy to make. This helps make sure I get a good jumpstart on my day and what I eat can hold me over until my next meal. However, when I started watching my low-oxalate intake, I had another factor to consider: the oxalate content of my food.

Luckily, the UCI Kidney Stone Center has a reliable list of oxalate content in foods. According to this list, here are some ideal foods and ingredients for a low-oxalate breakfast:

Fruit

Fresh fruit is the best option no matter what diet youโ€™re on. However, the freshness of fruit becomes more important on the low oxalate diet. Fresh fruit is denser than dried fruit, which means you tend to eat less of it in one sitting and, in turn, consume fewer oxalates.

If you like fruits on your French toast or Greek yogurt, I have some good news for you. Most fruits are very low in oxalates. These include:

  • Bananas
  • Blueberries
  • Blackberries
  • Cherries
  • Limes
  • Pears
  • Pineapple
  • Raisins
  • Strawberries
  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Cantaloupe
  • Grapes
  • Honeydew Melon
  • Lemons
  • Mango
  • Nectarine
  • Papaya
  • Peaches
  • Plantain
  • Plums
  • Watermelon

Vegetables

Adding veggies to your breakfasts is a great way to boost your fiber, vitamin, and antioxidant intake in the morning. Vegetables are also a must for green smoothies (minus the spinach!) and omelets! Here are some low-oxalate vegetables you should add to your recipes:

  • Brussel sprouts
  • Raw celery
  • Kale
  • Mung beans
  • Mustard greens
  • Alfalfa sprouts
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Chives
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • Green pepper
  • Iceberg lettuce
  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Peas
  • Pickles
  • Radish
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Scallions
  • Sauerkraut
  • Yellow squash
  • Zucchini

Do you want to boost your fiber content during breakfast? Here’s a deeper look into low-oxalate greens for breakfast salads to accompany your eggs.

Eggs & Dairy Products

Eggs and dairy are mostly low in oxalates. These include:

  • Eggs
  • Coffee creamer
  • Sour cream
  • Yogurt
  • American cheese
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Low-fat cheese
  • Cottage cheese
  • Mozzarella
  • Cream cheese
  • Milk

Breads and Grains

Here is where our list gets a little tricky since most common breakfast grains have moderate to high oxalate content. However, if you consider how much youโ€™re eating, the oxalate content of these options might not be that much. Iโ€™ve included options with moderate amounts (around 5 to 7mg) for a single serving:

  • Biscuits, plain or buttermilk
  • Bran muffins
  • Bran muffin, low-fat
  • Cracked wheat bread
  • English muffin
  • English muffin, multi-grain
  • English muffin, wheat
  • Low-fat muffins
  • Rye bread
  • Tortillas, corn
  • Tortillas, flour
  • White bread
  • Wheat bran bread
  • Whole oat bread
  • Whole wheat bread
  • White rice
  • Corn bran
  • Oat bran
  • Oatmeal

If you like making our own baked goods for breakfast like me, I recommend using low oxalate flour and flour alternatives like oat brand and corn flour. These flour options are either extremely low in oxalates or have a very mild oxalate content that won’t matter anyway.

Meat

Meat and fish excluding tofu and veggie burgers are either low or very low in oxalates. I wouldnโ€™t worry about the meat component of your breakfast, but I would suggest avoiding ultra-processed products like sausages and bacon. Keep in mind that sodium is a risk factor for kidney stones, too!

Beverages

Great news for all my coffee lovers out thereโ€”coffee only has 1mg of oxalate per cup, which is practically nothing. The same goes for decaf and low-caffeine coffee. Other good beverage options include:

  • Apple juice
  • Coffee, decaff
  • Orange juice
  • Pineapple juice
  • Postum (coffee alternative)
  • Coffee, regular
  • Gatorade
  • Grape juice
  • Grapefruit juice
  • Kool-Aid
  • Lemonade 
  • Mango juice
  • Sweetened iced tea

High-Oxalate Foods to Avoid

On the other hand, what foods should you avoid while on the low oxalate diet? Here is a list divided by food category:

Fruits

As Iโ€™ve mentioned, itโ€™s best to avoid dried fruits. Dried figs, pineapples, and prunes are especially problematic and are considered very high in oxalates. In terms of fresh fruit, hereโ€™s what you should minimize:

  • Avocados
  • Dates
  • Grapefruit
  • Kiwi
  • Orange
  • Raspberries 
  • Tangerines 
  • Tomatoes

Vegetables

The good news is that these arenโ€™t common veggies you add to breakfast. Still, itโ€™s best if you familiarize yourself with these foods so you can minimize your intake of them.

  • Bamboo shoots
  • Beets
  • Fava and navy beans
  • Okra
  • Olives
  • Parsnip
  • Red kidney beans
  • Rhubarb
  • Spinach
  • Turnip
  • Yams
  • Carrot
  • Cooked celery
  • Collards
  • Artichokes
  • Asparagus
  • Hot chili peppers
  • Soybeans
  • String beans

Nuts and Seeds

Some nuts and seeds are very high in oxalates. Try to avoid the following:

  • Almonds
  • Candies with nuts (e.g., Snickers)
  • Cashews
  • Peanuts
  • Pistachios
  • Mixed nuts (with peanuts)
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Trail mix
  • Walnuts
  • Pecans
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Peanut butter

17 Best Low Oxalate Breakfast Recipes

Start your mornings right with our best low-oxalate breakfast recipes! If you’re aiming to reduce oxalates in your diet to keep kidney stones at bay or just looking for healthier options, these recipes are perfect for you. They’re not only delicious and easy to whip up, but they also offer peace of mind by fitting seamlessly into a low-oxalate lifestyle, setting you up for a day of success without dietary stress.

1
English muffin chaffle on upside down plate.
2-Ingredient English Muffins
Start your morning off right without the worry! My 2 ingredient english muffins are a game-changer, especially if you're looking for low-oxalate breakfast options that don't skimp on taste or convenience. They're incredibly easy to whip up and perfect for anyone looking to keep their mornings simple and their diet kidney-friendly.
Check out this recipe
2
Hot keto cereal served in a brown bowl with a wooden spoon.
Noatmeal
Kick off your day with a warm bowl of my easy hot cereal, tailor-made for those following a low-oxalate diet. This quick and hearty recipe not only keeps meal prep simple but also fits seamlessly into your health goals, keeping your mornings stress-free and satisfying. This delicious option is sure to keep you energized and on track without any dietary compromise.
Check out this recipe
3
A stack of pancakes with a pat of butter on top on a plate.
Cream Cheese Pancakes
Whip up a breakfast that defies the ordinary with my cream cheese pancakes, a 2-ingredient recipe that's perfectly low-oxalate. These pancakes are not only easy to make but they align beautifully with a low-oxalate diet, ensuring you start your day fueled and focused without any dietary fuss. This satisfying meal keeps preparation minimal and deliciousness maximal, catering specifically to your health and time needs.
Check out this recipe
4
Keto waffles with a fork taking a bite out of it.
Flourless Waffles
No more complicated breakfast recipes with our 2-Ingredient waffles, the ultimate low-oxalate, flourless morning treat. These waffles are not just ridiculously easy to make, they perfectly fit into a healthy lifestyle, helping you keep oxalate low and satisfaction high. Whether you're rushing to get out the door or enjoying a lazy morning, these waffles are sure to make your day better with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Check out this recipe
5
A picture of bone broth coffee latte with cinnamon dust as garnish.
Bone Broth Latte
Mix up your morning with my bone broth latte, a cozy and healthy twist to your usual routine. This low-oxalate recipe is super easy to make and fits right into your health-conscious lifestyle, giving you a warm, nutritious boost without any hassle. Just whip it up quick and enjoy the energy and comfort it brings to your mornings.
Check out this recipe
6
Bead on a wooden board with a view of nature at the background.
Psyllium Husk Bread
Start your morning with something differentโ€”our psyllium husk bread. It's the perfect low-oxalate choice for anyone looking to cut oxalate without sacrificing their bread fix. Not only does it toast up beautifully, but it's also super filling, helping you stay on track with your health goals while still enjoying your breakfast staple.
Check out this recipe
7
Carnivore muffins in a baking tray.
Egg Muffins
Spice up your morning routine with my versatile breakfast egg muffins. Choose from five variations to keep things fresh and exciting. These are fantastic for anyone on a low-oxalate diet and are sure to keep you satisfied until lunch, making your mornings a breeze.
Check out this recipe
8
Keto scotch eggs with ground beef, one cut in half.
3-Ingredient Scotch Eggs
Simplify your breakfast with my 3-ingredient scotch eggs. Using just three ingredients and no pork, these are a stellar low-oxalate option that packs in the protein without the fuss. Perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast, these eggs will energize your day and keep you full and focused.
Check out this recipe
9
Omelette with meat on a plate garnished with onions.
Cheeseburger Omelet
Who says you canโ€™t have a cheeseburger for breakfast? My cheeseburger-style omelet, combines all the savory flavors you crave in a neat, low-oxalate package. Itโ€™s a hearty way to start your day, keeping you full and satisfied with plenty of protein and zero regrets.
Check out this recipe
10
Egg smoothie in a glass on white saucer plate.
High-Protein Egg Smoothie
Shake up your morning with my egg smoothie, a quick and easy delight thatโ€™s as nutritious as it is delicious. This low-oxalate smoothie is a quick, on-the-go breakfast that fuels your body and keeps you in line with your dietary needs, making your mornings smooth and simple.
Check out this recipe
11
A glass of strawberry cheesecake smoothie served on a wooden board.
Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
Indulge in the sweet richness of my strawberry cheesecake smoothie. Itโ€™s a decadent yet healthy low-oxalate option that feels more like a treat than a breakfast. Packed with flavor, it's a great way to satisfy your morning cravings without any guilt.
Check out this recipe
12
Three pieces of savory muffins on a white surface.
Savory Muffins
Discover the wonderful taste of my savory muffins, perfect for when you want something a bit different in the morning. These gluten-free muffins are low in oxalates and big on flavor, making them a great addition to your breakfast lineup. They're also super portable, making them an ideal grab-and-go option for busy mornings.
Check out this recipe
13
Spanish omelette one a white plate over a wooden board.
Low-Carb Spanish Omelet
Twist up your typical egg dish with my Spanish omelet, featuring cauliflower. This low-oxalate meal is fluffy and flavorful, providing a filling and nutritious start to your day with a touch of Spanish flair. Plus, itโ€™s a fantastic way to sneak in some veggies early in the day, especially if youโ€™re trying to keep things healthy and delicious.
Check out this recipe
14
Sweet omelette on a white plate served with blueberries.
Healthy Sweet Omelet
Brighten your breakfast with my healthy sweet omelet, dotted with fresh blueberries. This low-oxalate dish is a delightful way to enjoy something sweet in the morning thatโ€™s still good for you, keeping things light, nutritious, and very tasty. Itโ€™s like having a little bit of summer any time of the year, giving your morning a burst of freshness and flavor.
Check out this recipe
15
Slices of keto sandwich bread on a light wooden surface.
Coconut Flour Bread
Embrace the possibilities with my coconut flour bread, a wonderful alternative for anyone watching their oxalate intake. Itโ€™s perfect for sandwiches or toast, providing a versatile, low-oxalate base for whatever toppings you love. This bread is your new go-to, making it easy to stay on your dietary track without feeling restricted.
Check out this recipe
16
A batch of golden-brown pumpkin muffins on a wire rack.
Pumpkin Muffins
Welcome the flavors of fall any day with my pumpkin muffins. These muffins are not only low in oxalates but also dairy-free, gluten-free, and low in calories, making them a guilt-free treat that perfectly complements your morning coffee. Theyโ€™re so good, you might just find yourself whipping up a batch for every season, not just autumn!
Check out this recipe
17
A fork slices into an egg in mushroom garnished with chopped parsley on a white plate.
Egg in Mushroom
Try my portobello egg bake for a unique twist on your morning routine. This low-oxalate breakfast bakes up rich and hearty, using portobello mushrooms as a tasty, nutritious base for baked eggs. Itโ€™s a deliciously different way to start your day off strong, packed with flavor and good vibes.
Check out this recipe

Final Thoughts

If you thought a low oxalate diet was going to be restrictive, I hope this article cleared that misconception up! As you can see, there are so many options to make your breakfasts tasty, nutrient-dense, and kidney-friendly all at the same time. 

You can even think of it this way; there are only a few foods you have to avoid. You donโ€™t even have to take them out of your diet, instead, just be wary of how much youโ€™re eating relative to your oxalate intake goals.

Do you have any other low oxalate breakfast ideas you want to share? Donโ€™t hesitate to leave them in the comments below! 

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