Is Butter (Salted) Safe for Kidney Stones? (Safe)
mg oxalate
per serving
Serving: 1 tbsp (14 g)
Verdict: 🟢 Safe
Per 100g: 0 mg
Data: Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024)
In practical terms, Butter (Salted) is a low-risk food for kidney stone patients. Its 0 mg oxalate per serving stays under the 25 mg line, so it can appear in your regular rotation without extra calculation. As always, staying hydrated and getting dietary calcium supports stone prevention.
Among dairy & eggs, Butter (Salted) sits well below the category average of 3 mg. For context, 87 out of 91 dairy & eggs (95%) are rated 🟢 Safe (under 25 mg oxalate/serving). The average dairy & eggs in our database has 3 mg oxalate per serving — which means Butter (Salted) is 100% below the category norm. Within its specific category, Butter (Salted) ranks among the lower-oxalate options. 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 dairy & eggs rated Safe to compare within the same verdict level.
Why does the safe threshold matter?
The 25 mg cutoff comes from clinical guidance for stone formers. Below it, a food's oxalate contribution is small enough not to move the needle for most patients. Harvard's 2024 lab data sits behind these figures — direct measurements, not estimates. For Butter (Salted), the measured oxalate value is 0 mg per 1 tbsp (Safe).
Can I eat this food every day?
If it's in the Safe zone (under 25 mg/serving), yes — it can be a regular part of your diet. For Caution or Avoid foods, frequency matters. Rotate them with lower-oxalate options throughout the week. Butter (Salted) comes in at 0 mg oxalate per 1 tbsp (Safe) in the measured database.
Where does the oxalate data come from?
Every oxalate figure is sourced from Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024), distributed via the OHF database. The values come from actual lab measurements of the foods — not from database averages or estimates. For Butter (Salted), the measured oxalate value is 0 mg per 1 tbsp (Safe).
Should I also check sodium and calcium?
Yes — oxalate alone doesn't decide stone risk. Sodium pushes more calcium into urine, and calcium from food (not supplements) helps bind oxalate during digestion. The main food page covers sodium and calcium alongside oxalate. For Butter (Salted), the measured oxalate value is 0 mg per 1 tbsp (Safe).