[Nikki_L]

The urologist recommended a low oxalate diet. The problem I'm finding is that all the lists on the internet vary so much! The urologist gave me a list but it's very incomplete and I'm getting really tired of cucumbers and cauliflower. Does anyone have a better list or experience with this type of diet? Between low sodium, low oxalate, low fat and limiting meat I'm going to waste away!

[ecfgian]

I like these lists -
http://www.upmc.com/HealthAtoZ/patienteducation/Documents/LowOxalateDiet.pdf

Low-oxalate is quite limiting, it seems. My 24-hr urine tests came out surprisingly "normal" despite all of my kidney stones. My dr has suggested watching the intake of high-oxalate items, but mostly being sure to flush with plenty of water.
And for the record, I'd just like to say that I hate when people say that I need to "eat better" so that I don't get more stones. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables - they just happen to be on the high-oxalate list. Frustrating!

[Nikki_L]

Thanks for the link, that is the list the urologist gave me. After posting this I found another list and it's much more detailed. http://www.lowoxalate.info/food_lists/cat_lod_food_chart.pdf
Have you considered getting the low oxalate cookbook?

I know what you mean about people thinking that simply eating healthy is the cure all for everything. I hate to admit that I have taken a nose dive since starting this restricted diet. Sugar seems to be my fall back for everything I can't have. Thank heaven I'm not diabetic!

[Ruty]

There's a good article on the internet entitled "The Oxalate Content of Food" which is pretty comprehensive. It's more than just cauliflower and cucumbers too! I've been on it about a week and it seems reasonable. One of the things that seems to be important is taking milled flax seed (I add about 2T into my half cup of rice in the morning with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt). It has really helped to put the fiber back into my diet. We'll see how all this works to lower the blood/urine oxalates.
Ruty
8/25/10

[KS1]

Hi Nikki:

I faced the same problem when I was told that I had stones and had to go on a low oxalate diet. I found several sources, but the difficulty was verifying all the information verified and keeping it organized. I would, very often, forget to take my lists to the grocery store and found myself bringing foods home that I am not supposed to eat. Its almost 2 years now. I still have them, but I am getting used to this diet, and I make sure I adhere strictly to what I must avoid and eat what I can enjoy. But I am very careful and watch foods that I should eat in moderation.

What makes food selection more difficult is that the oxalate values for the same plant varies depending on where the plant is grown, the soil conditions, harvesting methods, processing methods and also the testing for oxalate procedures.

Good luck.


PS: I am a programmer, and thus created an iPhone/iPod Touch application where I put all this info and more.
Initially, I designed this only for myself, but I decided to put it on the app store. It is called 'Low Oxalate Diet'.

[Ruty]

PS: I am a programmer, and thus created an iPhone/iPod Touch application where I put all this info and more.
Initially, I designed this only for myself, but I decided to put it on the app store. It is called 'Low Oxalate Diet'.[/quote]

Hello Programmer. How clever of you to make your own list for your iPhone! Hey I'm not sure if you know about this one, but I was able to find out the oxalate content of a particular grain (quinoa) by googling the words "Journal of Agriculture & Food Chemistry quinoa oxalate." It took me right there! (I am always impressed with technology, being a gramma and all!) What I learned is that quinoa unfortunately is "exceedingly high in oxalates." I thought it was a great way to find out ox contents that aren't on our lists. That particular journal was listed as a source at the end of the article The Oxalate Content of Food* I mentioned in an earlier post, and I just took a chance it might help and it did. I had just cooked up a big pot of quinoa and was getting ready to enjoy some with butter and sea salt and a "small voice" told me I better check it out first. I'm so glad I did!! And glad I listened to that small voice for a change! :D

Have lots of fun shopping now with your iPhone! I'm carrying around an 11-page article!!*
Ruty