Is Honey Safe for Kidney Stones? (Safe)
mg oxalate
per serving
Serving: 1 tbsp (21 g)
Verdict: 🟢 Safe
Per 100g: 0 mg
Data: Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024)
What this means: Honey is rated Safe (🟢). At 0 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 condiments, Honey sits well below the category average of 8 mg. For context, 133 out of 141 condiments (94%) are rated 🟢 Safe (under 25 mg oxalate/serving). The average condiments in our database has 8 mg oxalate per serving — which means Honey is 100% below the category norm. Within its specific category, Honey 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 condiments 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, Honey measures 0 mg per 1 tbsp, rated 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. For context, Honey measures 0 mg per 1 tbsp, rated 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 Honey: 0 mg oxalate per 1 tbsp — Safe per Harvard (2024).
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. Applied to Honey: 0 mg oxalate per 1 tbsp — Safe per Harvard (2024).