Is Cream of Tartar Safe for Kidney Stones? (Safe)
mg oxalate
per serving
Serving: 1 tsp (3 g)
Verdict: 🟢 Safe
Per 100g: 80 mg
Data: Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024)
What this means: Cream of Tartar is rated Safe (🟢). At 2 mg oxalate per serving, it's well under the 25 mg safety threshold. You can include it regularly in a kidney stone diet. Pair it with calcium-rich foods (dairy, fortified plant milks) for additional protection, and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Among dairy & eggs, Cream of Tartar sits 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 Cream of Tartar is 40% below the category norm. Within its specific category, Cream of Tartar 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 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. For context, Cream of Tartar measures 2 mg per 1 tsp, rated Safe.
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. For Cream of Tartar, the measured oxalate value is 2 mg per 1 tsp (Safe).
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 Cream of Tartar: 2 mg oxalate per 1 tsp — 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 Cream of Tartar, the measured oxalate value is 2 mg per 1 tsp (Safe).