Is Nopal (Prickly Pear) (Raw) Safe for Kidney Stones? (Avoid)
mg oxalate
per serving
Serving: 1 cup (149 g)
Verdict: 🔴 Avoid
Per 100g: 152 mg
Data: Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024)
What this means: Nopal (Prickly Pear) (Raw) is rated Avoid (🔴). At 226 mg oxalate per serving, it exceeds the 100 mg threshold. Kidney stone patients should limit or avoid this food. If you do eat it, keep portions very small, pair it with calcium, and drink extra water. Check the full food page for safer alternatives.
Among vegetables, Nopal (Prickly Pear) (Raw) sits well above the category average of 27 mg. For context, 219 out of 271 vegetables (80%) are rated 🟢 Safe (under 25 mg oxalate/serving). The average vegetables in our database has 27 mg oxalate per serving — which means Nopal (Prickly Pear) (Raw) is 736% above the category norm. Within its specific category, Nopal (Prickly Pear) (Raw) ranks on the higher end for oxalate. 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 vegetables rated Avoid 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 Nopal (Prickly Pear) (Raw), the measured oxalate value is 226 mg per 1 cup (Avoid).
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. Applied to Nopal (Prickly Pear) (Raw): 226 mg oxalate per 1 cup — Avoid per Harvard (2024).
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 Nopal (Prickly Pear) (Raw), the measured oxalate value is 226 mg per 1 cup (Avoid).
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. Applied to Nopal (Prickly Pear) (Raw): 226 mg oxalate per 1 cup — Avoid per Harvard (2024).