Is Barley Flour Safe for Kidney Stones? (Safe)

Safe — and the data backs it up. Barley Flour measures just 14 mg oxalate per 1/4 cup, comfortably inside the under-25 mg zone. That makes it a reliable everyday option for a kidney stone diet, per Harvard's 2024 lab values.
✓ Lab-Verified Data Based on Harvard T.H. Chan SPH oxalate data (2024) and NKF/AUA dietary guidelines.
14
mg oxalate
per serving
Food: Flour, Barley
Serving: 1/4 cup (35 g)
Verdict: 🟢 Safe
Per 100g: 41 mg
Data: Harvard T.H. Chan SPH (2024)
🔄 Lower-Oxalate Alternatives
🟢 Corn Syrup
0 mg / serving
🟢 Cornstarch Corn
0 mg / serving
🟢 Licorice DGL
0 mg / serving
🟢 cornstarch
0 mg / serving
💡 What This Means for Your Diet

What this means: Barley Flour is rated Safe (🟢). At 14 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.

📊 How Barley Flour Compares

Among grains & pasta, Barley Flour sits close to 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 Barley Flour is 0% above the category norm. Within its specific category, Barley Flour ranks near the middle of the pack. 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.

❓ Related Questions

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, Barley Flour measures 14 mg per 1/4 cup, 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, Barley Flour measures 14 mg per 1/4 cup, 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. For Barley Flour, the measured oxalate value is 14 mg per 1/4 cup (Safe).

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 Barley Flour, the measured oxalate value is 14 mg per 1/4 cup (Safe).

This is dietary reference information, NOT medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before changing your diet. Oxalate tolerance varies by person, stone type, and medication.