Low-Sodium Dairy Guide

16 items classified under standard Low-Sodium guidelines.

Low-Sodium classifies foods based on sodium content per serving. Of the 16 dairy evaluated, 1 is classified as Allowed, 15 as Limited, and 0 as Not Allowed.

Quick Reference

Food Status Sodium (per 100g)
Milk Allowed 39mg
Brie Limited 629mg
Buttermilk Limited 105mg
Cheddar Limited 644mg
Cheese Limited 436mg
Cottage Cheese Limited 330mg
Feta Limited 1140mg
Goat Cheese Limited 392mg
Ice Cream Limited 129mg
Mac and Cheese Limited 460mg
Mozzarella Limited 743mg
Parmesan Limited 1150mg
Ricotta Limited 110mg
Swiss Cheese Limited 1625mg
Whipped Cream Limited 8mg
Yogurt Limited 60mg

Classification Breakdown

1 Allowed — These dairy are naturally low in sodium. 15 Limited — These items have sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation.

About 70–75% of dietary sodium comes from packaged and restaurant food, not the salt shaker.

Allowed Dairy (1)

Milk

Allowed

At 39mg sodium per 100g, Milk falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. This means it is naturally low in sodium. Among the 16 items in this category, milk sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Yogurt at 60mg.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodium
Whole Milk60kcal3.3g3.2g4.6g38mg
2% Milk50kcal3.3g2g4.8g47mg
Skim Milk35kcal3.4g0.2g4.9g52mg

Compare Milk across all diets

Limited Dairy (15)

Brie

Limited

At 629mg sodium per 100g, Brie falls into the Limited category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Beyond the primary classification, brie also provides 20.8g protein and 27.7g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Mac and Cheese and Cheddar for sodium, 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

334kcalCalories
20.8gProtein
27.7gFat
0.5gCarbs
629mgSodium

Compare Brie across all diets

Buttermilk

Limited

With 105mg sodium per 100g, Buttermilk earns a Limited classification on Low-Sodium. This means it is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Among the 16 items in this category, buttermilk sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Ricotta at 110mg. 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

40kcalCalories
3.3gProtein
0.9gFat
4.8gCarbs
105mgSodium

Compare Buttermilk across all diets

Cheddar

Limited

Cheddar is classified as Limited on Low-Sodium, with 644mg sodium per 100g. The classification reflects that it is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Nutritionally, it also delivers 24.2g protein and 33.8g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Brie and Mozzarella for sodium, ranking 12 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

410kcalCalories
24.2gProtein
33.8gFat
2.1gCarbs
644mgSodium

Compare Cheddar across all diets

Cheese

Limited

With 436mg sodium per 100g, Cheese earns a Limited classification on Low-Sodium. This means it is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. It also contains 7.1g protein and 28.6g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Goat Cheese and Mac and Cheese for sodium, ranking 9 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

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodium
Cheddar409kcal23.3g34g2.4g654mg
Mozzarella299kcal22.2g22.1g2.4g486mg
Swiss393kcal27g31g1.4g185mg

Compare Cheese across all diets

Cottage Cheese

Limited

At 330mg sodium per 100g, Cottage Cheese falls into the Limited category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Beyond the primary classification, cottage cheese also provides 11g protein and 9.7g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Ice Cream and Goat Cheese for sodium, ranking 7 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

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodium
Full-Fat (4%)103kcal11.6g4.2g4.6g350mg
Low-Fat (1%)72kcal12.4g1g2.7g406mg

Compare Cottage Cheese across all diets

Feta

Limited

At 1140mg sodium per 100g, Feta falls into the Limited category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Beyond the primary classification, feta also provides 14.2g protein and 21.5g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Mozzarella at 743mg. 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

265kcalCalories
14.2gProtein
21.5gFat
3.9gCarbs
1140mgSodium

Compare Feta across all diets

Goat Cheese

Limited

With 392mg sodium per 100g, Goat Cheese earns a Limited classification on Low-Sodium. It is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Beyond the primary classification, goat cheese also provides 26.9g protein per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Cottage Cheese and Cheese for sodium, ranking 8 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

142kcalCalories
26.9gProtein
3gFat
0gCarbs
392mgSodium

Compare Goat Cheese across all diets

Ice Cream

Limited

Ice Cream is classified as Limited on Low-Sodium, with 129mg sodium per 100g. The classification reflects that it is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.6g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Ricotta and Cottage Cheese for sodium, ranking 6 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

Compare Ice Cream across all diets

Mac and Cheese

Limited

With 460mg sodium per 100g, Mac and Cheese earns a Limited classification on Low-Sodium. This means it is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. It also contains 11.8g protein and 15g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Cheese and Brie for sodium, ranking 10 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

257kcalCalories
11.8gProtein
15gFat
20.1gCarbs
460mgSodium

Compare Mac and Cheese across all diets

Mozzarella

Limited

At 743mg sodium per 100g, Mozzarella falls into the Limited category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Beyond the primary classification, mozzarella also provides 31.7g protein per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Cheddar at 644mg. 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

141kcalCalories
31.7gProtein
0gFat
3.5gCarbs
743mgSodium

Compare Mozzarella across all diets

Parmesan

Limited

With 1150mg sodium per 100g, Parmesan earns a Limited classification on Low-Sodium. This means it is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. It also contains 40g protein, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Feta at 1140mg. 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

Compare Parmesan across all diets

Ricotta

Limited

Ricotta is classified as Limited on Low-Sodium, with 110mg sodium per 100g. The classification reflects that it is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.5g protein and 10.2g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Buttermilk and Ice Cream for sodium, 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

150kcalCalories
7.5gProtein
10.2gFat
7.3gCarbs
110mgSodium

Compare Ricotta across all diets

Swiss Cheese

Limited

With 1625mg sodium per 100g, Swiss Cheese earns a Limited classification on Low-Sodium. It is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. 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 sodium. The nearest lower option is Parmesan at 1150mg. 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

290kcalCalories
16.4gProtein
21.2gFat
8.7gCarbs
1625mgSodium

Compare Swiss Cheese across all diets

Whipped Cream

Limited

With 8mg sodium per 100g, Whipped Cream earns a Limited classification on Low-Sodium. It is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Beyond the primary classification, whipped cream also provides 22.2g fat per 100g. Among the 16 items in this category, whipped cream sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Milk at 39mg. 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

257kcalCalories
3.2gProtein
22.2gFat
12.5gCarbs
8mgSodium

Compare Whipped Cream across all diets

Yogurt

Limited

With 60mg sodium per 100g, Yogurt earns a Limited classification on Low-Sodium. This means it is sodium content that varies enormously by brand or preparation. Among the 16 items in this category, yogurt sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Buttermilk at 105mg. 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

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSodium
Plain Whole Milk Yogurt61kcal3.5g3.3g4.7g46mg
Plain Low-Fat Yogurt63kcal5.3g1.6g7g70mg
Plain Nonfat Yogurt56kcal5.7g0.2g7.7g77mg

Compare Yogurt across all diets