Is Broccoli greens Safe for Kidney Stones? (Safe)
mg oxalate
per serving
Serving: 1 cup, sliced (60 g)
Verdict: 🟢 Safe
Per 100g: 9 mg
Data: Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024)
The bottom line for Broccoli greens: Safe (🟢), with 6 mg oxalate per serving — comfortably below the 25 mg safe cutoff. There's no need to limit it. Just keep your usual kidney stone basics in place: water throughout the day and calcium-rich foods at meals.
Putting Broccoli greens in context: it lands well below the category average of 27 mg. In the database, 80% of vegetables (219 of 271) fall in the 🟢 Safe group (under 25 mg oxalate/serving). The typical vegetables here averages 27 mg oxalate per serving, so Broccoli greens runs 78% below that baseline. That places it among the lower-oxalate options in its category. Why this matters: the gap between two Safe foods can be wide — one may hold 5 mg oxalate while another sits at 24 mg. The lower one leaves more room in your day. See all vegetables rated Safe for a full side-by-side.
Why does the safe threshold matter?
The 25 mg per serving threshold is based on clinical guidance for kidney stone patients. Harvard's lab data (2024) provides the most reliable oxalate measurements available — no database estimates, direct lab analysis. Applied to Broccoli greens: 6 mg oxalate per 1 cup, sliced — Safe per Harvard (2024).
Can I eat this food every day?
Daily eating is fine for Safe foods (under 25 mg/serving). For Caution or Avoid foods, spread them out and alternate with low-oxalate picks. The idea is keeping your weekly oxalate load manageable, not eliminating any single food. Applied to Broccoli greens: 6 mg oxalate per 1 cup, sliced — Safe per Harvard (2024).
Where does the oxalate data come from?
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2024) via the OHF database. These are direct laboratory measurements — the most reliable oxalate data available for food. Applied to Broccoli greens: 6 mg oxalate per 1 cup, sliced — Safe per Harvard (2024).
Should I also check sodium and calcium?
Yes — kidney stone risk isn't just about oxalate. High sodium increases urinary calcium (a stone promoter). Adequate dietary calcium (from food, not supplements) actually binds oxalate in your gut. Check the food's full nutrition page for the complete picture. For Broccoli greens, the measured oxalate value is 6 mg per 1 cup, sliced (Safe).