Kidney-Friendly Dairy Guide

16 items classified under standard Kidney-Friendly guidelines.

Kidney-Friendly classifies foods based on sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein load. Of the 16 dairy evaluated, 0 are classified as Allowed, 16 as Limited, and 0 as Not Allowed.

Quick Reference

Food Status Potassium (per 100g)
Brie Limited 152mg
Buttermilk Limited 151mg
Cheddar Limited 76mg
Cheese Limited 112mg
Cottage Cheese Limited 117mg
Feta Limited 62mg
Goat Cheese Limited 402mg
Ice Cream Limited 115mg
Mac and Cheese Limited 181mg
Milk Limited 156mg
Mozzarella Limited 106mg
Parmesan Limited 600mg
Ricotta Limited 219mg
Swiss Cheese Limited 242mg
Whipped Cream Limited 147mg
Yogurt Limited 204mg

Classification Breakdown

16 Limited — These items have usable in small portions or specific preparations.

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

Limited Dairy (16)

Brie

Limited

With 152mg potassium per 100g, Brie earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. It is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Beyond the primary classification, brie also provides 20.8g protein and 27.7g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Buttermilk and Milk for potassium, ranking 9 of 16. 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

334kcalCalories
20.8gProtein
27.7gFat
0.5gCarbs
629mgSodium
152mgK+
188mgPhos.

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Buttermilk

Limited

With 151mg potassium per 100g, Buttermilk earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. This means it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Within this category, it falls between Whipped Cream and Brie for potassium, ranking 8 of 16. 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

40kcalCalories
3.3gProtein
0.9gFat
4.8gCarbs
105mgSodium
151mgK+
89mgPhos.

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Cheddar

Limited

At 76mg potassium per 100g, Cheddar falls into the Limited category under Kidney-Friendly guidelines. The classification reflects that it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Nutritionally, it also delivers 24.2g protein and 33.8g fat per serving. Among the 16 items in this category, cheddar sits at the low end for potassium — next closest is Mozzarella at 106mg. 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

410kcalCalories
24.2gProtein
33.8gFat
2.1gCarbs
644mgSodium
76mgK+
460mgPhos.

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Cheese

Limited

At 112mg potassium per 100g, Cheese falls into the Limited category under Kidney-Friendly guidelines. The classification reflects that it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.1g protein and 28.6g fat per serving. Among the 16 items in this category, cheese sits at the low end for potassium — next closest is Ice Cream at 115mg. 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

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodiumK+Phos.
Cheddar409kcal23.3g34g2.4g654mg77mg458mg
Mozzarella299kcal22.2g22.1g2.4g486mg76mg354mg
Swiss393kcal27g31g1.4g185mg71mg574mg

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Cottage Cheese

Limited

With 117mg potassium per 100g, Cottage Cheese earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. This means it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. It also contains 11g protein and 9.7g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Ice Cream and Whipped Cream for potassium, ranking 6 of 16. 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

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodiumK+Phos.
Full-Fat (4%)103kcal11.6g4.2g4.6g350mg124mg154mg
Low-Fat (1%)72kcal12.4g1g2.7g406mg86mg134mg

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Feta

Limited

With 62mg potassium per 100g, Feta earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. This means it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. It also contains 14.2g protein and 21.5g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 16 items in this category, feta sits at the low end for potassium — next closest is Cheddar at 76mg. 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

265kcalCalories
14.2gProtein
21.5gFat
3.9gCarbs
1140mgSodium
62mgK+
337mgPhos.

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Goat Cheese

Limited

With 402mg potassium per 100g, Goat Cheese earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. It is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Beyond the primary classification, goat cheese also provides 26.9g protein and 392mg sodium per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Swiss Cheese at 242mg. 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

142kcalCalories
26.9gProtein
3gFat
0gCarbs
392mgSodium
402mgK+
199mgPhos.

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Ice Cream

Limited

With 115mg potassium per 100g, Ice Cream earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. It is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Beyond the primary classification, ice cream also provides 8.6g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Cheese and Cottage Cheese for potassium, ranking 5 of 16. 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

237kcalCalories
4.3gProtein
8.6gFat
37.1gCarbs
129mgSodium
115mgK+
72mgPhos.

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Mac and Cheese

Limited

With 181mg potassium per 100g, Mac and Cheese earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. This means it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. It also contains 11.8g protein and 15g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Milk and Yogurt for potassium, ranking 11 of 16. 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

257kcalCalories
11.8gProtein
15gFat
20.1gCarbs
460mgSodium
181mgK+
122mgPhos.

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Milk

Limited

At 156mg potassium per 100g, 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 Brie and Mac and Cheese for potassium, ranking 10 of 16. 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

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodiumK+Phos.
Whole Milk60kcal3.3g3.2g4.6g38mg150mg101mg
2% Milk50kcal3.3g2g4.8g47mg140mg92mg
Skim Milk35kcal3.4g0.2g4.9g52mg166mg101mg

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Mozzarella

Limited

With 106mg potassium per 100g, Mozzarella earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. This means it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. It also contains 31.7g protein and 743mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 16 items in this category, mozzarella sits at the low end for potassium — next closest is Cheese at 112mg. 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

141kcalCalories
31.7gProtein
0gFat
3.5gCarbs
743mgSodium
106mgK+
656mgPhos.

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Parmesan

Limited

With 600mg potassium per 100g, Parmesan earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. It is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Beyond the primary classification, parmesan also provides 40g protein and 1150mg sodium per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Goat Cheese at 402mg. 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

370kcalCalories
40gProtein
5gFat
40gCarbs
1150mgSodium
600mgK+
700mgPhos.

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Ricotta

Limited

With 219mg potassium per 100g, Ricotta earns a Limited classification on Kidney-Friendly. It is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Beyond the primary classification, ricotta also provides 7.5g protein and 10.2g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Yogurt at 204mg. 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

150kcalCalories
7.5gProtein
10.2gFat
7.3gCarbs
110mgSodium
219mgK+
154mgPhos.

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Swiss Cheese

Limited

At 242mg potassium per 100g, Swiss Cheese falls into the Limited category under Kidney-Friendly guidelines. It is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Beyond the primary classification, swiss cheese also provides 16.4g protein and 21.2g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Ricotta at 219mg. 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

290kcalCalories
16.4gProtein
21.2gFat
8.7gCarbs
1625mgSodium
242mgK+
875mgPhos.

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Whipped Cream

Limited

At 147mg potassium per 100g, Whipped Cream falls into the Limited category under Kidney-Friendly guidelines. The classification reflects that it is usable in small portions or specific preparations. Nutritionally, it also delivers 22.2g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Cottage Cheese and Buttermilk for potassium, ranking 7 of 16. 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

257kcalCalories
3.2gProtein
22.2gFat
12.5gCarbs
8mgSodium
147mgK+
89mgPhos.

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Yogurt

Limited

At 204mg potassium per 100g, Yogurt 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 Mac and Cheese and Ricotta for potassium, ranking 12 of 16. 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

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodiumK+Phos.
Plain Whole Milk Yogurt61kcal3.5g3.3g4.7g46mg155mg95mg
Plain Low-Fat Yogurt63kcal5.3g1.6g7g70mg234mg144mg
Plain Nonfat Yogurt56kcal5.7g0.2g7.7g77mg255mg157mg

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