Kidney-Friendly Dairy Alternatives Guide

17 items classified under standard Kidney-Friendly guidelines.

This guide covers all 17 dairy alternatives classified under Kidney-Friendly guidelines. Kidney-Friendly evaluates foods primarily by sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein load, which determines how each item in this category is classified.

Quick Reference

Food Status Potassium (per 100g)
Almond Milk Allowed 31mg
Canned Coconut Cream Allowed 101mg
Canned Coconut Milk Allowed 220mg
Coconut Cream Allowed 101mg
Coconut Milk Allowed 19mg
Hemp Milk Allowed 114mg
Lite Coconut Milk Allowed 19mg
Unsweetened Almond Milk Allowed 67mg
Almond Milk Creamer Limited 31mg
Cashew Milk Limited 447mg
Coconut Creamer Limited 0mg
Coconut Yogurt Limited 0mg
Flavored Almond Milk Limited 75mg
Flavored Coconut Yogurt Limited
Plain Coconut Yogurt Limited
Rice Milk Limited 27mg
Soy Milk Not Allowed 151mg

Classification Breakdown

8 Allowed — These dairy alternatives are low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. 8 Limited — These items have usable in small portions or specific preparations. 1 Not Allowed — These are too high in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, or protein for CKD patients.

Many otherwise-healthy foods become contraindicated — bananas, oranges, tomatoes, beans, and whole grains carry loads the failing kidney cannot clear.

Allowed Dairy Alternatives (8)

Almond Milk

Allowed

With 31mg potassium per 100g, Almond Milk earns a Allowed classification on Kidney-Friendly. This means it is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. Within this category, it falls between Rice Milk and Almond Milk Creamer for potassium, ranking 6 of 15.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodiumK+Phos.
Unsweetened15kcal0.6g1.2g0.3g60mg31mg30mg
Sweetened30kcal0.5g1.2g4.3g58mg30mg29mg

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Canned Coconut Cream

Allowed

Canned Coconut Cream is classified as Allowed on Kidney-Friendly, with 101mg potassium per 100g. This means it is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. It also contains 16.3g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Flavored Almond Milk and Coconut Cream for potassium, ranking 10 of 15.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

357kcalCalories
1.2gProtein
16.3gFat
53.2gCarbs
36mgSodium
101mgK+
22mgPhos.

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Canned Coconut Milk

Allowed

At 220mg potassium per 100g, Canned Coconut Milk falls into the Allowed category under Kidney-Friendly guidelines. The classification reflects that it is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. Nutritionally, it also delivers 21.3g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Soy Milk at 151mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

197kcalCalories
2gProtein
21.3gFat
2.8gCarbs
13mgSodium
220mgK+
96mgPhos.

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Coconut Cream

Allowed

With 101mg potassium per 100g, Coconut Cream earns a Allowed classification on Kidney-Friendly. This means it is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. It also contains 16.3g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Canned Coconut Cream and Hemp Milk for potassium, ranking 11 of 15.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

357kcalCalories
1.2gProtein
16.3gFat
53.2gCarbs
36mgSodium
101mgK+
22mgPhos.

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Coconut Milk

Allowed

At 19mg potassium per 100g, Coconut Milk falls into the Allowed category under Kidney-Friendly guidelines. This means it is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. Among the 15 items in this category, coconut milk sits at the low end for potassium — next closest is Lite Coconut Milk at 19mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodiumK+Phos.
Canned (full-fat)357kcal1.2g16.3g53.2g36mg101mg22mg
Carton (beverage)31kcal0.2g2.1g2.9g19mg19mg0mg

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Hemp Milk

Allowed

Hemp Milk is classified as Allowed on Kidney-Friendly, with 114mg potassium per 100g. The classification reflects that it is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.6g protein and 13.8g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Coconut Cream at 101mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

446kcalCalories
7.6gProtein
13.8gFat
71.7gCarbs
687mgSodium
114mgK+
303mgPhos.

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Lite Coconut Milk

Allowed

With 19mg potassium per 100g, Lite Coconut Milk earns a Allowed classification on Kidney-Friendly. This means it is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. Within this category, it falls between Coconut Milk and Rice Milk for potassium, ranking 4 of 15.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

31kcalCalories
0.2gProtein
2.1gFat
2.9gCarbs
19mgSodium
19mgK+
0mgPhos.

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Unsweetened Almond Milk

Allowed

With 67mg potassium per 100g, Unsweetened Almond Milk earns a Allowed classification on Kidney-Friendly. This means it is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. Within this category, it falls between Almond Milk Creamer and Flavored Almond Milk for potassium, ranking 8 of 15.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

15kcalCalories
0.4gProtein
1gFat
1.3gCarbs
72mgSodium
67mgK+
9mgPhos.

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Limited Dairy Alternatives (8)

Almond Milk Creamer

Limited

With 31mg potassium per 100g, Almond Milk Creamer earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. This means it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Within this category, it falls between Almond Milk and Unsweetened Almond Milk for potassium, ranking 7 of 15. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

20kcalCalories
0.5gProtein
1.2gFat
1.5gCarbs
59mgSodium
31mgK+
30mgPhos.

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Cashew Milk

Limited

Cashew Milk is classified as Limited on Kidney-Friendly, with 447mg potassium per 100g. This means it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. It also contains 12.1g protein and 53g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Canned Coconut Milk at 220mg. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

609kcalCalories
12.1gProtein
53gFat
30.3gCarbs
295mgSodium
447mgK+
388mgPhos.

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Coconut Creamer

Limited

With 0mg potassium per 100g, Coconut Creamer earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. This means it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. It also contains 99.1g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 15 items in this category, coconut creamer sits at the low end for potassium — next closest is Coconut Yogurt at 0mg. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

895kcalCalories
0gProtein
99.1gFat
0.8gCarbs
0mgSodium
0mgK+
0mgPhos.

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Coconut Yogurt

Limited

Coconut Yogurt is classified as Limited on Kidney-Friendly, with 0mg potassium per 100g. The classification reflects that it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Nutritionally, it also delivers 99.1g fat per serving. Among the 15 items in this category, coconut yogurt sits at the low end for potassium — next closest is Coconut Milk at 19mg. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

895kcalCalories
0gProtein
99.1gFat
0.8gCarbs
0mgSodium
0mgK+
0mgPhos.

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Flavored Almond Milk

Limited

At 75mg potassium per 100g, Flavored Almond Milk falls into the Limited category under Kidney-Friendly guidelines. This means it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Within this category, it falls between Unsweetened Almond Milk and Canned Coconut Cream for potassium, ranking 9 of 15. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

50kcalCalories
0.6gProtein
1.3gFat
9.4gCarbs
71mgSodium
75mgK+
19mgPhos.

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Flavored Coconut Yogurt

Limited

Flavored Coconut Yogurt is classified as Limited on Kidney-Friendly. This classification reflects that it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

92kcalCalories
8.1gProtein
1.7gFat
11gCarbs
33mgSodium
K+
Phos.

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Plain Coconut Yogurt

Limited

Plain Coconut Yogurt is classified as Limited on Kidney-Friendly. This classification reflects that it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

66kcalCalories
2.6gProtein
1.8gFat
9.7gCarbs
13mgSodium
K+
Phos.

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Rice Milk

Limited

With 27mg potassium per 100g, Rice Milk earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. This means it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Within this category, it falls between Lite Coconut Milk and Almond Milk for potassium, ranking 5 of 15. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

47kcalCalories
0.3gProtein
1gFat
9.2gCarbs
39mgSodium
27mgK+
56mgPhos.

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Not Allowed Dairy Alternatives (1)

Soy Milk

Not Allowed

Soy Milk is classified as Not Allowed on Kidney-Friendly, with 151mg potassium per 100g. This means it is too high in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, or protein for CKD patients. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Hemp Milk at 114mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

64kcalCalories
3.4gProtein
2gFat
8.3gCarbs
32mgSodium
151mgK+
66mgPhos.

Compare Soy Milk across all diets