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?
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.
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.
Yes, you can eat grilled cheese when you have CKD! 👏🏼 You've probably been there before.
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.
Can I increase my GFR score?
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)
While oatmeal is higher in potassium and phosphorus than other hot cereals, it can still be part of a healthy kidney diet. A 1/2 cup serving of cooked oatmeal has 80 to 115 mg potassium and 90 to 130 mg phosphorus.
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.
Acute kidney failure can be caused by factors like severe dehydration, infections, or blockages. The good news is that with the right treatment, it's often possible to reverse kidney disease in these cases. Your kidneys can return to normal function after the underlying issue is resolved.
Here's a breakdown of the six most common supplements people with CKD may need to support kidney health.
Lifestyle changes
If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), avoid high-sodium, high-phosphorus, and potassium-rich foods. Examples include processed snacks, cola, bananas, and canned soups. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance on your diet.
Examples: Mozzarella, feta, goat's cheese, halloumi. Is it kidney-friendly? This type of cheese can be a good option though it varies in salt with mozzarella having the lowest salt content. Most are lower in phosphate compared to other cheeses and usually have minimal additives.
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.
In the general population, approximately 38% of adults aged 70 or older have an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, with most having moderate reductions in eGFR in the 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2 range (1).
But in general, you can lower creatinine levels by: Staying well hydrated. Keeping your blood pressure within normal range. Avoiding medications that may harm the kidneys, like NSAIDs.