Is McDonalds Safe for Kidney Stones?

Q: Is McDonalds safe for kidney stones?

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: at 11 mg per , McDonalds is one of the safer things you can eat if you're watching oxalate. Harvard T.H. Chan SPH measured this directly.

Q: How much oxalate is in McDonalds?

The lab result: 11 mg per (108g serving). That's 0 mg per 100g. Harvard's ion chromatography analysis, 2024. Not crowdsourced, not estimated.

Q: Is McDonalds high in oxalates?

Low. 11 mg per puts McDonalds firmly in the low-oxalate category. Safe for regular eating if you're managing kidney stones.

Q: What can I eat instead of McDonalds?

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 McDonalds. Pick from those.

Q: Is McDonalds high in sodium?

Don't just look at oxalate. McDonalds has 617 mg sodium/100g on top of whatever oxalate it carries. Double-tap on your kidneys. Minimize salt elsewhere if you eat this.

🟢 Safe
Oxalate <25 mg/serving

🟡 Caution
Oxalate 25-99 mg/serving

🔴 Avoid
Oxalate ≥100 mg/serving

✓ Medically Reviewed Content reviewed by OxalateWatch Editorial Team. Based on Harvard T.H. Chan SPH oxalate data (2024) and NKF/AUA dietary guidelines.

📊 Nutrition at a Glance

11 mg

Oxalate / serving

Low Oxalate

617 mg

Sodium / 100g

High Na

13.6 g

Protein / 100g

Tier 1

192 mg

Calcium / 100g

Tier 1

🚨 High Sodium Alert

McDonalds contains 617 mg sodium per 100g — well above the recommended limit for kidney stone patients. High sodium intake can increase calcium in urine, raising stone risk.

📏 Oxalate by Serving Size

Serving	Weight	Oxalate	Verdict
	108 g	11 mg	Safe
2 x	216 g	22 mg	Safe
½ x	54 g	5.5 mg	Safe

🏷️ Tags

Grains & Pasta 🟢 Oxalate Safe Low Oxalate Calcium-Rich High Sodium Processed Food

🟢 See all Grains & Pasta rated Safe for kidney stones →

🔗 Related Foods

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: at 11 mg per , McDonalds is one of the safer things you can eat if you're watching oxalate. Harvard T.H. Chan SPH measured this directly.

How much oxalate is in McDonalds?

The lab result: 11 mg per (108g serving). That's 0 mg per 100g. Harvard's ion chromatography analysis, 2024. Not crowdsourced, not estimated.

Is McDonalds high in oxalates?

Low. 11 mg per puts McDonalds firmly in the low-oxalate category. Safe for regular eating if you're managing kidney stones.

What can I eat instead of McDonalds?

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 McDonalds. Pick from those.

Is McDonalds high in sodium?

Don't just look at oxalate. McDonalds has 617 mg sodium/100g on top of whatever oxalate it carries. Double-tap on your kidneys. Minimize salt elsewhere if you eat this.

🔍 Explore More About This Food

🟢See our detailed safety analysis for this food 📊Exact oxalate numbers: how much is in a serving 📋Low, moderate, or high oxalate? Full breakdown 🧂How much sodium? Kidney stone risk check

📚 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.

McDonalds, Egg McMuffin