Low Cystine Foods

If you're managing cystinuria or following a low-cystine diet for kidney health, choosing the right foods is essential.

Cystine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in protein-rich foods, and excessive intake may increase the risk of forming cystine kidney stones in certain individuals.

This nutrition guide provides a list of common foods that are naturally low in cystine, helping you plan meals that support your health without compromising on variety or taste. All values are based on standard 100-gram servings for easy comparison.

Cystine Content in Foods (per 100 gram Serving) - Ranked from highest to Lowest

1. Apples, raw, golden delicious, with skin (0.001g)

2. Apples, raw, red delicious, with skin (0.001g)

3. Apples, raw, with skin (0.001g)

4. Apples, raw, without skin (0.001g)

5. Babyfood, tropical fruit medley (0.001g)

6. Noodles, chinese, cellophane or long rice (mung beans), dehydrated (0.001g)

7. Pears, raw, bosc (0.001g)

8. Pears, raw, red anjou (0.001g)

9. Pineapple, canned, extra heavy syrup pack, solids and liquids (0.001g)

10. Pineapple, canned, heavy syrup pack, solids and liquids (0.001g)

11. Pineapple, canned, juice pack, solids and liquids (0.001g)

12. Pineapple, canned, light syrup pack, solids and liquids (0.001g)

13. Pineapple, canned, water pack, solids and liquids (0.001g)

14. Puddings, banana, dry mix, regular (0.001g)

15. Puddings, banana, dry mix, regular, with added oil (0.001g)

16. Puddings, lemon, dry mix, regular (0.001g)

17. Puddings, lemon, dry mix, regular, with added oil, potassium, sodium (0.001g)

18. Apples, canned, sweetened, sliced, drained, heated (0.002g)

19. Apples, canned, sweetened, sliced, drained, unheated (0.002g)

20. Applesauce, canned, sweetened, with salt (0.002g)

21. Applesauce, canned, sweetened, without salt (includes USDA commodity) (0.002g)

22. Applesauce, canned, unsweetened, with added ascorbic acid (0.002g)

23. Applesauce, canned, unsweetened, without added ascorbic acid (includes USDA commodity) (0.002g)

24. Apricots, canned, extra heavy syrup pack, without skin, solids and liquids (0.002g)

25. Apricots, canned, extra light syrup pack, with skin, solids and liquids (0.002g)

26. Apricots, canned, heavy syrup pack, with skin, solids and liquids (0.002g)

27. Apricots, canned, heavy syrup pack, without skin, solids and liquids (0.002g)

28. Apricots, canned, juice pack, with skin, solids and liquids (0.002g)

29. Apricots, canned, light syrup pack, with skin, solids and liquids (0.002g)

30. Apricots, canned, water pack, with skin, solids and liquids (0.002g)

31. Apricots, canned, water pack, without skin, solids and liquids (0.002g)

32. Apricots, frozen, sweetened (0.002g)

33. Beverages, coffee, brewed, prepared with tap water, decaffeinated (0.002g)

34. Candies, marshmallows (0.002g)

35. Coffee, brewed, prepared with tap water (0.002g)

36. Lime juice, raw (0.002g)

37. Melons, cantaloupe, raw (0.002g)

38. Orange juice, chilled, includes from concentrate (0.002g)

39. Orange juice, chilled, includes from concentrate, with added calcium (0.002g)

40. Orange juice, chilled, includes from concentrate, with added calcium and vitamin D (0.002g)

41. Orange juice, chilled, includes from concentrate, with added calcium and vitamins A, D, E (0.002g)

42. Pears, canned, extra heavy syrup pack, solids and liquids (0.002g)

43. Pears, canned, heavy syrup pack, solids and liquids (0.002g)

44. Pears, canned, light syrup pack, solids and liquids (0.002g)

45. Pears, canned, water pack, solids and liquids (0.002g)

46. Pears, raw (0.002g)

47. Pears, raw, bartlett (0.002g)

48. Pears, raw, green anjou (0.002g)

49. Pickles, cucumber, sour (0.002g)

50. Pickles, cucumber, sour, low sodium (0.002g)

51. Pickles, cucumber, sweet, low sodium (includes bread and butter pickles) (0.002g)

52. Pie fillings, canned, cherry (0.002g)

53. Pineapple, frozen, chunks, sweetened (0.002g)

54. Plums, canned, purple, extra heavy syrup pack, solids and liquids (0.002g)

55. Plums, canned, purple, heavy syrup pack, solids and liquids (0.002g)

56. Plums, canned, purple, light syrup pack, solids and liquids (0.002g)

57. Plums, canned, purple, water pack, solids and liquids (0.002g)

58. Plums, raw (0.002g)

59. Pumpkin, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt (0.002g)

60. Pumpkin, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt (0.002g)

61. Tangerines, (mandarin oranges), raw (0.002g)

62. Watermelon, raw (0.002g)

63. Apples, dried, sulfured, stewed, with added sugar (0.003g)

64. Apples, dried, sulfured, stewed, without added sugar (0.003g)

65. Apricots, raw (0.003g)

66. Babyfood, dessert, dutch apple, junior (0.003g)

67. Beverages, Clam and tomato juice, canned (0.003g)

68. Beverages, Orange drink, breakfast type, with juice and pulp, frozen concentrate (0.003g)

69. Beverages, tea, instant, lemon, with added ascorbic acid (0.003g)

70. Butter oil, anhydrous (0.003g)

71. Cranberries, raw (0.003g)

72. Honey (0.003g)

73. Marmalade, orange (0.003g)

74. Peaches, canned, extra light syrup, solids and liquids (0.003g)

75. Peaches, spiced, canned, heavy syrup pack, solids and liquids (0.003g)

76. Pears, canned, extra light syrup pack, solids and liquids (0.003g)

77. Pears, canned, juice pack, solids and liquids (0.003g)

78. Pickle relish, sweet (0.003g)

79. Plums, canned, purple, juice pack, solids and liquids (0.003g)

80. Puddings, tapioca, dry mix (0.003g)

81. Puddings, tapioca, dry mix, with no added salt (0.003g)

82. Pumpkin pie mix, canned (0.003g)

83. Pumpkin, canned, with salt (0.003g)

84. Pumpkin, canned, without salt (0.003g)

85. Pumpkin, raw (0.003g)

86. Salad dressing, french dressing, reduced fat (0.003g)

87. Apples, dehydrated (low moisture), sulfured, stewed (0.004g)

88. Apples, frozen, unsweetened, heated (0.004g)

89. Apples, frozen, unsweetened, unheated (0.004g)

90. Apples, raw, without skin, cooked, microwave (0.004g)

91. Apricots, dried, sulfured, stewed, with added sugar (0.004g)

92. Blueberries, frozen, sweetened (0.004g)

93. Blueberries, frozen, unsweetened (0.004g)

94. Celery, raw (0.004g)

95. Cream substitute, liquid, with lauric acid oil and sodium caseinate (0.004g)

96. Cucumber, with peel, raw (0.004g)

97. Dessert topping, pressurized (0.004g)

98. Eggplant, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt (0.004g)

99. Eggplant, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt (0.004g)

100. Onions, raw (0.004g)

Data source: USDA Nutrient Database, SR28

Foods Rich in Cystine

Weight Management Tips

Learn What You Currently Eat and Drink

What To Eat and Drink

Make Better Choices

Eat the Right Amount of Calories for You

Decrease Portion Sizes

Eat Fewer Empty Calories

Focus on Foods You Need

When Eating Out, Make Better Choices

Cook More Often at Home

Increase Physical Activity

Decrease Screen Time

Healthy Eating Tips

Tip 1 : Most "regular" size bagels weigh about 4 oz and ~290 Calories! That's 4 oz of your grain needs for the day.

Tip 2 : Add dried apricots or prunes to your slow cooker when making beef brisket. Check online for different recipes.

Tip 3 : People who are lactose intolerant may be able to tolerate some types of yogurt. Experiment with different types including those made from soy.

Tip 4 : Vary your protein choices at a barbecue. Try bean burgers, soy hot dogs, or grilled tofu. Use a low-salt marinade to add flavor.

Tip 5 : Cuts of beef with less fat--round steaks, roasts, top loin, top sirloin, and chuck shoulder--are all lean protein food choices.

Tip 6 : Add fruit like sliced apples, pears, or a few berries to your salad bowl.

Tip 7 : Try a low-fat or reduced-fat Swiss cheese to get your calcium without all the sodium and fat.

Tip 8 : Cut-up fruit makes a great snack. Cut them yourself, or buy pre-cut packages of fruit pieces like pineapple or melon.

Tip 9 : Make roasted tomatoes--Cut tomatoes into wedges, drizzle with olive oil, season with garlic and herbs. Roast and serve as a side dish.

Tip 10 : For a quick smoothie, try orange juice, non-fat yogurt, and frozen mango slices (or other fruit). Add ice, blend and enjoy!