Is Basmati Rice Safe for Kidney Stones? (Safe)
mg oxalate
per serving
Serving: 1 cup (158 g)
Verdict: 🟢 Safe
Per 100g: 0.6 mg
Data: Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024)
What this means: Basmati Rice is rated Safe (🟢). At 1 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 grains & pasta, Basmati Rice sits well below the category average of 14 mg. For context, 170 out of 201 grains & pasta (84%) are rated 🟢 Safe (under 25 mg oxalate/serving). The average grains & pasta in our database has 14 mg oxalate per serving — which means Basmati Rice is 93% below the category norm. Within its specific category, Basmati Rice 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 grains & pasta 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. Basmati Rice comes in at 1 mg oxalate per 1 cup (Safe) in the measured database.
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 Basmati Rice: 1 mg oxalate per 1 cup — 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. Basmati Rice comes in at 1 mg oxalate per 1 cup (Safe) in the measured database.
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 context, Basmati Rice measures 1 mg per 1 cup, rated Safe.