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
AllowedBasil 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
Black Pepper
AllowedAt 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
Cayenne Pepper
AllowedCayenne 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
Chili Powder
AllowedAt 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
Cinnamon
AllowedAt 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
Cumin
AllowedCumin 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
Garlic Powder
AllowedGarlic 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
Ginger
AllowedWith 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
Nutmeg
AllowedWith 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
Onion Powder
AllowedAt 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
Oregano
AllowedWith 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
Paprika
AllowedWith 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
Saffron
AllowedWith 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
Turmeric
AllowedTurmeric 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
Vanilla Extract
AllowedWith 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
Not Allowed Spices & Seasonings (3)
Everything Bagel Seasoning
Not AllowedAt 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
Salt
Not AllowedAt 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
Taco Seasoning
Not AllowedTaco 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