Is Catfish Safe for Kidney Stones? (Safe)
mg oxalate
per serving
Serving: 4 oz (113 g)
Verdict: 🟢 Safe
Per 100g: 1 mg
Data: Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024)
In practical terms, Catfish is a low-risk food for kidney stone patients. Its 1 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 seafood, Catfish sits below the category average of 2 mg. For context, 55 out of 55 seafood (100%) are rated 🟢 Safe (under 25 mg oxalate/serving). The average seafood in our database has 2 mg oxalate per serving — which means Catfish is 36% below the category norm. Within its specific category, Catfish 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 seafood rated Safe to compare within the same verdict level.
Why does the safe threshold matter?
The 25 mg line is the reference point clinicians use to separate everyday foods from ones that need caution. Every value on this page traces back to Harvard's 2024 lab analysis, so the threshold is applied to measured data rather than estimates. For context, Catfish measures 1 mg per 4 oz, rated Safe.
Can I eat this food every day?
For Safe foods (under 25 mg/serving), daily use is generally fine. Caution and Avoid foods work better as occasional items — rotate them with safer options so no single high-oxalate food becomes a habit. Applied to Catfish: 1 mg oxalate per 4 oz — Safe per Harvard (2024).
Where does the oxalate data come from?
The numbers come from Harvard T.H. Chan SPH's 2024 laboratory measurements, published through the OHF database. Direct lab analysis, which is why they're treated as the reference values for food oxalate. For Catfish, the measured oxalate value is 1 mg per 4 oz (Safe).
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 context, Catfish measures 1 mg per 4 oz, rated Safe.