Is Tilapia Safe for Kidney Stones? (Safe)
mg oxalate
per serving
Serving: 4 oz (113 g)
Verdict: 🟢 Safe
Per 100g: 0 mg
Data: Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024)
In practical terms, Tilapia is a low-risk food for kidney stone patients. Its 0 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, Tilapia sits well 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 Tilapia is 100% below the category norm. Within its specific category, Tilapia 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 cutoff comes from clinical guidance for stone formers. Below it, a food's oxalate contribution is small enough not to move the needle for most patients. Harvard's 2024 lab data sits behind these figures — direct measurements, not estimates. Tilapia comes in at 0 mg oxalate per 4 oz (Safe) in the measured database.
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. Tilapia comes in at 0 mg oxalate per 4 oz (Safe) in the measured database.
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. Tilapia comes in at 0 mg oxalate per 4 oz (Safe) in the measured database.
Should I also check sodium and calcium?
Definitely. Oxalate is only part of the story — high sodium raises calcium in urine, and dietary calcium (from food, not pills) binds oxalate in the gut. The food's main page lists both, so it's worth checking before you plan around it. For context, Tilapia measures 0 mg per 4 oz, rated Safe.