For kidney disease, good cheese options are generally lower in phosphorus, potassium, and sodium, with cream cheese, ricotta, goat cheese, and brie being top choices, while limiting processed cheeses and watching serving sizes are key; always check labels for added potassium chloride.
Cheese varieties with less than 100 mg of phosphorus per serving include:
Kidney-friendly sandwiches made with your choice of wholemeal bread, pittas, English muffins, rolls or wraps
I recommend whole grain, whole wheat or multigrain bread for people with kidney disease. Be careful to check the sodium in whatever bread you buy. Bread is a surprising source of salt! Historically, white bread was recommended because it has less phosphorus in it.
What can I do to keep my kidneys healthy?
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top culprits damaging kidneys most, as they harm the delicate filtering blood vessels, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and failure; other major factors include smoking, obesity, dehydration, poor diet (high sugar/salt/red meat), certain medications (NSAIDs), lack of sleep, and genetic conditions. These factors create a cycle where damaged kidneys worsen blood pressure, further damaging them.
The lowest in potassium are feta and goat cheese. The lowest sodium options are ricotta, cottage cheese with no salt added, and Swiss cheese. If you're looking for overall CKD-friendly cheeses, your best bets are cream cheese, goat cheese, ricotta, and parmesan.
For CKD, excessive intake of protein and sodium can be harmful to the kidneys. It is important to find lower sodium and lower protein meat and cheese options to help optimize your kidney health. Remember, portion size is key here. Try limiting your meats and cheeses to 1-2 slices instead of 4-5 slices.
Spread the sunflower butter on the slice of toast. Dot with berries of your choice. Sprinkle hot pepper flakes over the berries and toast. Drizzle with the honey.
To strengthen your kidneys, focus on a healthy lifestyle: stay hydrated with water, eat a balanced diet low in salt and processed foods, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, while also managing blood pressure and blood sugar to prevent damage.
If you find yourself occasionally craving a fast food hamburger, it's fine to have one every now and then. Remember to order your hamburger with no salt, pickles or grill seasoning, so you can limit sodium and potassium.
1. Cottage Cheese: A white curd cheese that is a light flavor, it mixes well with both sweet and savory ingredients. Mix it with fruit in the morning or top off a bowl of pasta and tomato sauce for a light dinner. Cottage cheese is high in phosphorous that aids in bone health and it contains all nine amino acids.
For those with chronic kidney disease or at risk for kidney disease, dairy alternatives can provide essential nutrients without the negative effects of too much phosphorus or potassium. Some suitable options include: Rice cereals with almond or oat milk (lower in phosphorus and potassium than cow's milk)
To support kidney health, focus on fruits like berries, apples, and red grapes; vegetables such as cauliflower, red peppers, and leafy greens; lean proteins like fish (salmon) and egg whites; and healthy fats from olive oil, using herbs and spices instead of salt for flavor, as a varied diet rich in whole foods helps filter toxins and manage inflammation.
10 Common Habits That May Harm Your Kidneys
Establishing a Consistent Hydration Routine. Start your day with a glass of water and space your intake evenly. Contrary to popular belief, drinking water at night is bad for kidneys unless it leads to frequent nighttime urination that disrupts sleep.
Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens. There are many green, leafy vegetables that people following a renal diet may need to avoid or limit due to their high potassium content. This is the case for Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens. For example, a cup of raw Swiss chard contains 136 mg of potassium.
More tips to manage CKD
Fish and seafood
Cod, flounder, halibut, whitefish, catfish, salmon, tuna steaks and shrimp are good choices for your kidney diet. Fish requires more attention than broiled meat or chicken because it cooks quickly.
The unhealthiest cheeses are typically highly processed varieties like American cheese slices, spray cheese, and cheese spreads/dips, due to high sodium, preservatives, and unhealthy fats; however, rich, creamy natural cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and triple-crèmes are also high in saturated fat, making them less healthy in large amounts, with blue cheeses like Roquefort topping salt content. The "unhealthiest" depends on your health goal, but generally, processed versions offer less nutritional value and more additives than natural cheese, even high-fat ones.
Any cheese with an ingredients list of only milk, salt, and enzymes/cultures (like cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, gouda, feta, goat cheese, cottage cheese, etc.) is 100% real cheese, while "American Cheese" or "cheese products" often contain added emulsifiers and flavorings, making them processed rather than purely natural cheese. Always check the label: if it lists more than milk, salt, and enzymes (like sodium citrate, whey, artificial flavors), it's a cheese product.
Cottage cheese
A soft white cheese made from the loose curds of cow's milk, cottage cheese has a unique protein-to-calorie ratio. It's this high protein combined with low calorie content that makes cottage cheese a good choice for weight management, with studies suggesting it may even be as satiating as eating an egg.
Grilled chicken wings are the lowest salt option at KFC, although remember that if you eat more than one the salt content can get very high. Another better option is the KFC snackers. Avoid fillet burgers, double downs and crispy twisters as they are extremely high in salt.
The most common cause of kidney failure is diabetes. Other causes can include: High blood pressure.