Kidney-Friendly Spices & Seasonings Guide

18 items classified under standard Kidney-Friendly guidelines.

This guide covers all 18 spices & seasonings 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.

Good news for Kidney-Friendly followers: almost all spices & seasonings fit the diet. These foods are low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. The nutrition details below help you compare within the category to find the best options for your specific needs.

Quick Reference

Food Status Potassium (per 100g)
Basil Allowed 295mg
Black Pepper Allowed 15mg
Cayenne Pepper Allowed 2010mg
Chili Powder Allowed 222mg
Cinnamon Allowed 74mg
Cumin Allowed 1790mg
Garlic Powder Allowed 1190mg
Ginger Allowed 415mg
Nutmeg Allowed 0mg
Onion Powder Allowed 985mg
Oregano Allowed 1260mg
Paprika Allowed 2280mg
Saffron Allowed 1720mg
Turmeric Allowed 2080mg
Vanilla Extract Allowed 148mg
Everything Bagel Seasoning Not Allowed 107mg
Salt Not Allowed 8mg
Taco Seasoning Not Allowed 229mg

Classification Breakdown

15 Allowed — These spices & seasonings are low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. 3 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 Spices & Seasonings (15)

Basil

Allowed

Basil is classified as Allowed on Kidney-Friendly, with 295mg potassium per 100g. This means it is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. Within this category, it falls between Taco Seasoning and Ginger for potassium, ranking 9 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

23kcalCalories
3.2gProtein
0.6gFat
2.7gCarbs
4mgSodium
295mgK+
56mgPhos.

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Black Pepper

Allowed

At 15mg potassium per 100g, Black Pepper 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 18 items in this category, black pepper sits at the low end for potassium — next closest is Cinnamon at 74mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

279kcalCalories
0gProtein
0.1gFat
21.2gCarbs
4mgSodium
15mgK+
5mgPhos.

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Cayenne Pepper

Allowed

Cayenne Pepper is classified as Allowed on Kidney-Friendly, with 2010mg 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 12g protein and 17.3g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Cumin at 1790mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

318kcalCalories
12gProtein
17.3gFat
56.6gCarbs
30mgSodium
2010mgK+
293mgPhos.

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Chili Powder

Allowed

At 222mg potassium per 100g, Chili Powder falls into the Allowed category under Kidney-Friendly guidelines. It is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. Beyond the primary classification, chili powder also provides 13.3g protein and 8.2g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Vanilla Extract and Taco Seasoning for potassium, ranking 7 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

139kcalCalories
13.3gProtein
8.2gFat
2.4gCarbs
357mgSodium
222mgK+
109mgPhos.

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Cinnamon

Allowed

At 74mg potassium per 100g, Cinnamon falls into the Allowed category under Kidney-Friendly guidelines. It is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. Beyond the primary classification, cinnamon also provides 7.1g protein and 5.3g fat per 100g. Among the 18 items in this category, cinnamon sits at the low end for potassium — next closest is Everything Bagel Seasoning at 107mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

253kcalCalories
7.1gProtein
5.3gFat
44.4gCarbs
388mgSodium
74mgK+
57mgPhos.

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Cumin

Allowed

Cumin is classified as Allowed on Kidney-Friendly, with 1790mg 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 17.8g protein and 22.3g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Saffron at 1720mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

375kcalCalories
17.8gProtein
22.3gFat
44.2gCarbs
168mgSodium
1790mgK+
499mgPhos.

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Garlic Powder

Allowed

Garlic Powder is classified as Allowed on Kidney-Friendly, with 1190mg potassium per 100g. This means it is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. It also contains 16.6g protein and 9g fiber, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Onion Powder and Oregano for potassium, ranking 12 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

331kcalCalories
16.6gProtein
0.7gFat
72.7gCarbs
60mgSodium
1190mgK+
414mgPhos.

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Ginger

Allowed

With 415mg potassium per 100g, Ginger 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 Basil and Onion Powder for potassium, ranking 10 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

80kcalCalories
1.8gProtein
0.8gFat
17.8gCarbs
13mgSodium
415mgK+
34mgPhos.

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Nutmeg

Allowed

With 0mg potassium per 100g, Nutmeg earns a Allowed classification on Kidney-Friendly. It is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. Beyond the primary classification, nutmeg also provides 100g fat per 100g. Among the 18 items in this category, nutmeg sits at the low end for potassium — next closest is Salt at 8mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0mgSodium
0mgK+
0mgPhos.

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Onion Powder

Allowed

At 985mg potassium per 100g, Onion Powder 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 10.4g protein and 15.2g fiber per serving. Within this category, it falls between Ginger and Garlic Powder for potassium, ranking 11 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

341kcalCalories
10.4gProtein
1gFat
79.1gCarbs
73mgSodium
985mgK+
322mgPhos.

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Oregano

Allowed

With 1260mg potassium per 100g, Oregano 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 9g protein and 42.5g fiber, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Garlic Powder and Saffron for potassium, ranking 13 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

265kcalCalories
9gProtein
4.3gFat
68.9gCarbs
25mgSodium
1260mgK+
148mgPhos.

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Paprika

Allowed

With 2280mg potassium per 100g, Paprika earns a Allowed classification on Kidney-Friendly. It is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. Beyond the primary classification, paprika also provides 14.1g protein and 12.9g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Turmeric at 2080mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

282kcalCalories
14.1gProtein
12.9gFat
54gCarbs
68mgSodium
2280mgK+
314mgPhos.

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Saffron

Allowed

With 1720mg potassium per 100g, Saffron 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 11.4g protein and 5.9g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Oregano at 1260mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

310kcalCalories
11.4gProtein
5.9gFat
65.4gCarbs
148mgSodium
1720mgK+
252mgPhos.

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Turmeric

Allowed

Turmeric is classified as Allowed on Kidney-Friendly, with 2080mg potassium per 100g. This means it is low enough in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein for a kidney-restricted pattern. It also contains 9.7g protein and 22.7g fiber, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for potassium. The nearest lower option is Cayenne Pepper at 2010mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

312kcalCalories
9.7gProtein
3.3gFat
67.1gCarbs
27mgSodium
2080mgK+
299mgPhos.

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Vanilla Extract

Allowed

With 148mg potassium per 100g, Vanilla Extract 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 Everything Bagel Seasoning and Chili Powder for potassium, ranking 6 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

288kcalCalories
0.1gProtein
0.1gFat
12.6gCarbs
9mgSodium
148mgK+
6mgPhos.

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Not Allowed Spices & Seasonings (3)

Everything Bagel Seasoning

Not Allowed

At 107mg potassium per 100g, Everything Bagel Seasoning falls into the Not Allowed category under Kidney-Friendly guidelines. It is too high in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, or protein for CKD patients. Beyond the primary classification, everything bagel seasoning also provides 10.6g protein and 422mg sodium per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Cinnamon and Vanilla Extract for potassium, ranking 5 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

264kcalCalories
10.6gProtein
1.3gFat
52.4gCarbs
422mgSodium
107mgK+
99mgPhos.

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Salt

Not Allowed

At 8mg potassium per 100g, Salt falls into the Not Allowed category under Kidney-Friendly guidelines. The classification reflects that it is too high in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, or protein for CKD patients. Nutritionally, it also delivers 38800mg sodium per serving. Among the 18 items in this category, salt sits at the low end for potassium — next closest is Black Pepper at 15mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

0kcalCalories
0gProtein
0gFat
0gCarbs
38800mgSodium
8mgK+
0mgPhos.

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Taco Seasoning

Not Allowed

Taco Seasoning is classified as Not Allowed on Kidney-Friendly, with 229mg potassium per 100g. The classification reflects that it is too high in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, or protein for CKD patients. Nutritionally, it also delivers 6.7g protein and 9.2g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Chili Powder and Basil for potassium, ranking 8 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

170kcalCalories
6.7gProtein
9.2gFat
15.1gCarbs
363mgSodium
229mgK+
103mgPhos.

Compare Taco Seasoning across all diets