Kidney-friendly foods: a transparent ranking, not a safe list
People search for "kidney-friendly foods" expecting a yes-or-no list. This page does something narrower and checkable: it ranks 123 foods by how low they are in potassium, phosphorus and sodium per serving, compared with each other, and shows the method.
How the ranking works
- Pick comparable foods. Servings of at least 28 g (about 1 oz), leaving out drinks and the fats, sauces and sweeteners group (32 of 155 foods), because a teaspoon or a glass of water would top a per-serving list for the wrong reason.
- Rank each nutrient. For potassium, phosphorus and sodium per serving, every food gets a percentile from 0 (lowest in the set) to 100 (highest). Ties share the average position.
- Average the three. The combined score is the mean of the three percentiles. Lower means lower on all three relative to the rest of the set.
- Sort, ties by name. Foods are listed from the lowest combined score up. Protein is shown but not scored, because the KDOQI 2020 guideline describes different protein ranges by CKD stage and dialysis.
Not a safety label. A low score is not a clinical judgment, and a high score is not a warning. Your limits come from your nephrologist or dietitian. Use NKF's 200 mg potassium line or the phosphorus ranking if you want a single nutrient.
The 25 lowest combined scores
| Rank | Food | Serving (USDA) | Potassium (mg) | Phosphorus (mg) | Sodium (mg) | Protein (g) | Combined score | Rank by K / P / Na | USDA FDC id |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blueberries, raw | 1/2 cup (74 g) | 57 | 9 | 1 | 0.5 | 7.7 | 13 / 7 / 11 | 171711 |
| 2 | Cranberries, raw | 1/2 cup, chopped (55 g) | 44 | 6 | 1 | 0.3 | 8.5 | 8 / 3 / 23 | 171722 |
| 3 | Watermelon, raw | 1/2 cup, balls (77 g) | 86 | 8 | 1 | 0.5 | 10.4 | 22 / 6 / 13 | 167765 |
| 4 | Plum, raw | 1 fruit (2-1/8" dia) (66 g) | 104 | 11 | 0 | 0.5 | 11.5 | 30 / 12 / 5 | 169949 |
| 5 | Pineapple, raw | 1/2 cup, chunks (82.5 g) | 90 | 7 | 1 | 0.4 | 11.9 | 24 / 5 / 18 | 169124 |
| 6 | Eggplant, raw | 1/2 cup, cubes (41 g) | 94 | 10 | 1 | 0.4 | 13.7 | 27 / 10 / 16 | 169228 |
| 7 | Cucumber, with peel, raw | 1/2 cup, slices (52 g) | 76 | 12 | 1 | 0.3 | 15.3 | 20 / 17 / 22 | 168409 |
| 8 | Applesauce, unsweetened | 1/2 cup (122 g) | 90 | 6 | 2 | 0.2 | 16.4 | 25 / 4 / 34 | 171695 |
| 9 | Raspberries, raw | 1/2 cup (61.5 g) | 93 | 18 | 1 | 0.7 | 16.9 | 26 / 30 / 9 | 167755 |
| 10 | Pasta, cooked, enriched, no salt | 1/2 cup, spaghetti not packed (62 g) | 27 | 36 | 1 | 3.6 | 18.0 | 3 / 56 / 10 | 169737 |
| 11 | White rice, cooked | 1/2 cup (79 g) | 28 | 34 | 1 | 2.1 | 19.1 | 4 / 54 / 15 | 168878 |
| 12 | Couscous, cooked | 1/2 cup, cooked (78.5 g) | 46 | 17 | 4 | 3.0 | 21.3 | 9 / 27 / 45 | 169700 |
| 13 | Grapefruit, raw | 1/2 medium (128 g) | 178 | 10 | 0 | 0.8 | 21.3 | 67 / 11 / 2 | 173033 |
| 14 | Mango, raw | 1/2 cup, pieces (82.5 g) | 139 | 12 | 1 | 0.7 | 21.7 | 52 / 13 / 17 | 169910 |
| 15 | Cherries, sweet, raw | 1/2 cup, with pits, yields (69 g) | 153 | 14 | 0 | 0.7 | 21.9 | 58 / 22 / 1 | 171719 |
| 16 | Strawberries, raw | 1/2 cup, halves (76 g) | 116 | 18 | 1 | 0.5 | 22.4 | 42 / 31 / 12 | 167762 |
| 17 | Cabbage, raw | 1/2 cup, chopped (44.5 g) | 76 | 12 | 8 | 0.6 | 24.6 | 19 / 14 / 60 | 169975 |
| 18 | Egg white, raw | 1 large (33 g) | 54 | 5 | 55 | 3.6 | 26.0 | 12 / 1 / 85 | 172183 |
| 19 | Green bell pepper, raw | 1/2 cup, chopped (74.5 g) | 130 | 15 | 2 | 0.6 | 27.6 | 47 / 24 / 33 | 170427 |
| 20 | Grapes, red or green, raw | 1/2 cup (75.5 g) | 144 | 15 | 2 | 0.5 | 27.9 | 54 / 25 / 26 | 174683 |
| 21 | Romaine lettuce, raw | 1 cup, shredded (47 g) | 116 | 14 | 4 | 0.6 | 27.9 | 41 / 20 / 44 | 169247 |
| 22 | Green beans, raw | 1/2 cup, 1/2" pieces (50 g) | 106 | 19 | 3 | 0.9 | 28.1 | 34 / 33 / 39 | 169961 |
| 23 | Peaches, canned in heavy syrup, drained | 1/2 cup (111 g) | 104 | 13 | 7 | 0.6 | 28.7 | 31 / 19 / 58 | 168181 |
| 24 | Iceberg lettuce, raw | 1 cup, shredded (72 g) | 102 | 14 | 7 | 0.6 | 29.0 | 29 / 21 / 59 | 169248 |
| 25 | Fruit cocktail, canned in juice | 1/2 cup (118.5 g) | 113 | 17 | 5 | 0.5 | 30.3 | 39 / 26 / 49 | 174668 |
The rest of the ranking
| Rank | Food | Serving (USDA) | Potassium (mg) | Phosphorus (mg) | Sodium (mg) | Protein (g) | Combined score | Rank by K / P / Na | USDA FDC id |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Corn flakes cereal | 1 cup, (1 NLEA serving) (28 g) | 30 | 9 | 160 | 1.7 | 30.6 | 5 / 8 / 102 | 174648 |
| 27 | Mushrooms, white, raw | 1/2 cup, pieces or slices (35 g) | 111 | 30 | 2 | 1.1 | 30.9 | 38 / 51 / 27 | 169251 |
| 28 | Dill pickles | 1 spear, small (35 g) | 41 | 6 | 283 | 0.2 | 32.0 | 7 / 2 / 111 | 168558 |
| 29 | Onion, raw | 1/2 cup, chopped (80 g) | 117 | 23 | 3 | 0.9 | 32.5 | 43 / 39 / 40 | 170000 |
| 30 | Orange, raw | 1 fruit (2-5/8" dia) (131 g) | 237 | 18 | 0 | 1.2 | 33.3 | 90 / 32 / 3 | 169097 |
| 31 | Pumpkin, raw | 1/2 cup, (1" cubes) (58 g) | 197 | 26 | 1 | 0.6 | 33.6 | 74 / 44 / 8 | 168448 |
| 32 | Asparagus, raw | 1/2 cup (67 g) | 135 | 35 | 1 | 1.5 | 35.0 | 51 / 55 / 25 | 168389 |
| 33 | Red bell pepper, raw | 1/2 cup, chopped (74.5 g) | 157 | 19 | 3 | 0.7 | 35.0 | 59 / 34 / 38 | 170108 |
| 34 | Walnuts, English | 1 oz (28.35 g) | 125 | 98 | 1 | 4.3 | 35.8 | 46 / 81 / 7 | 170187 |
| 35 | Apple, raw, with skin | 1 medium (3" dia) (182 g) | 195 | 20 | 2 | 0.5 | 36.3 | 72 / 35 / 29 | 171688 |
| 36 | Radishes, raw | 1/2 cup, slices (58 g) | 135 | 12 | 23 | 0.4 | 36.3 | 50 / 15 / 71 | 169276 |
| 37 | Celery, raw | 1/2 cup, chopped (50.5 g) | 131 | 12 | 40 | 0.3 | 37.2 | 48 / 16 / 75 | 169988 |
| 38 | Pear, raw | 1 medium (178 g) | 206 | 21 | 2 | 0.6 | 38.3 | 79 / 36 / 28 | 169118 |
| 39 | Honeydew melon, raw | 1/2 cup, diced (approx 20 pieces per cup) (85 g) | 194 | 9 | 15 | 0.5 | 39.3 | 71 / 9 / 67 | 169911 |
| 40 | Okra, raw | 1/2 cup (50 g) | 150 | 31 | 4 | 1.0 | 40.2 | 56 / 52 / 42 | 169260 |
| 41 | Peach, raw | 1 medium (2-2/3" dia) (150 g) | 285 | 30 | 0 | 1.4 | 40.2 | 98 / 49 / 4 | 169928 |
| 42 | Turnips, raw | 1/2 cup, cubes (65 g) | 124 | 18 | 44 | 0.6 | 40.4 | 45 / 29 / 77 | 170465 |
| 43 | White bread | 1 slice (28 g) | 36 | 29 | 134 | 3.0 | 40.4 | 6 / 47 / 98 | 167532 |
| 44 | Brown rice, cooked | 1/2 cup (101 g) | 87 | 104 | 4 | 2.8 | 41.3 | 23 / 85 / 46 | 169704 |
| 45 | Kiwifruit, green, raw | 1 fruit (2" dia) (69 g) | 215 | 23 | 2 | 0.8 | 41.3 | 82 / 40 / 32 | 168153 |
| 46 | Zucchini, raw | 1/2 cup, chopped (62 g) | 162 | 24 | 5 | 0.8 | 41.3 | 62 / 42 / 50 | 169291 |
| 47 | Spinach, raw | 1 cup (30 g) | 167 | 15 | 24 | 0.9 | 42.6 | 64 / 23 / 72 | 168462 |
| 48 | Broccoli, raw | 1/2 cup, chopped (45.5 g) | 144 | 30 | 15 | 1.3 | 45.4 | 53 / 50 / 66 | 170379 |
| 49 | Butternut squash, raw | 1/2 cup, cubes (70 g) | 246 | 23 | 3 | 0.7 | 45.4 | 94 / 38 / 37 | 169295 |
| 50 | Cauliflower, raw | 1/2 cup, chopped (1/2" pieces) (53.5 g) | 160 | 24 | 16 | 1.0 | 45.6 | 61 / 41 / 68 | 169986 |
| 51 | Milk chocolate | 1 oz (28.35 g) | 105 | 59 | 22 | 2.2 | 45.9 | 33 / 68 / 70 | 167587 |
| 52 | Cantaloupe, raw | 1/2 cup, balls (88.5 g) | 236 | 13 | 14 | 0.7 | 46.2 | 89 / 18 / 65 | 169092 |
| 53 | Egg, hard-boiled | 1 large (50 g) | 63 | 86 | 62 | 6.3 | 48.6 | 16 / 77 / 88 | 173424 |
| 54 | Pancakes, plain | 1 pancake (4" dia) (38 g) | 50 | 60 | 167 | 2.4 | 48.9 | 10 / 69 / 103 | 175009 |
| 55 | Almonds | 1 oz (28.35 g) | 208 | 136 | 0 | 6.0 | 49.2 | 81 / 96 / 6 | 170567 |
| 56 | Prunes (dried plums) | 5 prunes, pitted (47.5 g) | 348 | 33 | 1 | 1.0 | 49.2 | 109 / 53 / 21 | 168162 |
| 57 | Apple juice, unsweetened | 1 cup (248 g) | 250 | 17 | 10 | 0.2 | 49.5 | 95 / 28 / 61 | 173933 |
| 58 | Cream of Wheat, instant, dry | 1/4 cup, dry (44.5 g) | 51 | 46 | 254 | 4.7 | 49.5 | 11 / 63 / 110 | 171660 |
| 59 | Green peas, raw | 1/2 cup (72.5 g) | 177 | 78 | 4 | 3.9 | 49.7 | 66 / 76 / 43 | 170419 |
| 60 | Banana, raw | 1 medium (7" to 7-7/8" long) (118 g) | 422 | 26 | 1 | 1.3 | 50.0 | 117 / 45 / 24 | 173944 |
| 61 | Swiss cheese | 1 oz (28.35 g) | 20 | 163 | 53 | 7.6 | 50.3 | 1 / 103 / 83 | 171251 |
| 62 | Oats, dry | 1/4 cup, dry (39 g) | 167 | 204 | 1 | 6.6 | 50.5 | 63 / 111 / 14 | 169705 |
| 63 | Egg, whole, raw | 1 large (50 g) | 69 | 99 | 71 | 6.3 | 51.6 | 18 / 83 / 91 | 171287 |
| 64 | Carrots, raw | 1/2 cup, chopped (64 g) | 205 | 22 | 44 | 0.6 | 51.9 | 78 / 37 / 78 | 170393 |
| 65 | Whole-wheat bread | 1 slice (32 g) | 81 | 68 | 146 | 4.0 | 52.5 | 21 / 74 / 100 | 172688 |
| 66 | Cheddar cheese | 1 oz (28.35 g) | 22 | 129 | 185 | 6.5 | 53.6 | 2 / 93 / 104 | 173414 |
| 67 | Chicken noodle soup, canned | 1 cup (248 g) | 60 | 45 | 831 | 2.9 | 53.6 | 14 / 62 / 123 | 172909 |
| 68 | Tomato, raw | 1 medium whole (2-3/5" dia) (123 g) | 292 | 30 | 6 | 1.1 | 54.4 | 99 / 48 / 55 | 170457 |
| 69 | Rice milk, unsweetened | 1 cup (8 fl oz) (240 g) | 65 | 134 | 94 | 0.7 | 55.2 | 17 / 95 / 93 | 171942 |
| 70 | Vanilla ice cream | 1/2 cup (66 g) | 131 | 69 | 53 | 2.3 | 55.5 | 49 / 75 / 82 | 167575 |
| 71 | Sweet corn, yellow, raw | 1/2 cup (72.5 g) | 196 | 65 | 11 | 2.4 | 55.7 | 73 / 72 / 62 | 169998 |
| 72 | Chia seeds | 1 oz (28.35 g) | 115 | 244 | 5 | 4.7 | 56.0 | 40 / 120 / 48 | 170554 |
| 73 | Dark chocolate, 70-85% cacao | 1 oz (28.35 g) | 203 | 87 | 6 | 2.2 | 56.0 | 77 / 78 / 53 | 170273 |
| 74 | Black beans, boiled | 1/2 cup (86 g) | 305 | 120 | 1 | 7.6 | 56.3 | 100 / 90 / 19 | 173735 |
| 75 | Potato, raw, flesh and skin | 1/2 cup, diced (75 g) | 319 | 43 | 5 | 1.5 | 56.3 | 102 / 60 / 47 | 170026 |
| 76 | Beef bologna | 1 slice (30 g) | 105 | 46 | 304 | 3.3 | 56.6 | 32 / 66 / 112 | 172012 |
| 77 | English muffin, wheat | 1 muffin (57 g) | 106 | 61 | 201 | 5.0 | 56.8 | 35 / 70 / 106 | 172761 |
| 78 | Flour tortilla | 1 tortilla (48 g) | 60 | 99 | 353 | 3.9 | 56.8 | 15 / 82 / 114 | 175037 |
| 79 | Orange juice, raw | 1 cup (248 g) | 496 | 42 | 2 | 1.7 | 57.1 | 118 / 59 / 35 | 169098 |
| 80 | Peanuts, raw | 1 oz (28.35 g) | 200 | 107 | 5 | 7.3 | 57.1 | 75 / 86 / 51 | 172430 |
| 81 | Almond milk, unsweetened | 1 cup (262 g) | 176 | 24 | 189 | 1.0 | 57.4 | 65 / 43 / 105 | 174832 |
| 82 | Sunflower seed kernels | 1 oz (28.35 g) | 183 | 187 | 3 | 5.9 | 57.4 | 69 / 108 / 36 | 170562 |
| 83 | Beets, raw | 1/2 cup (68 g) | 221 | 27 | 53 | 1.1 | 57.7 | 84 / 46 / 84 | 169145 |
| 84 | Quinoa, cooked | 1/2 cup (92.5 g) | 159 | 141 | 6 | 4.1 | 57.7 | 60 / 98 / 56 | 168917 |
| 85 | Soft pretzel | 1 medium (115 g) | 101 | 91 | 233 | 9.4 | 57.9 | 28 / 79 / 108 | 169064 |
| 86 | Cashews, raw | 1 oz (28.35 g) | 187 | 168 | 3 | 5.2 | 58.2 | 70 / 105 / 41 | 170162 |
| 87 | Split peas, boiled | 1/2 cup (98 g) | 355 | 97 | 2 | 8.2 | 59.3 | 110 / 80 / 30 | 172429 |
| 88 | Avocado, raw | 1/2 cup, cubes (75 g) | 364 | 39 | 5 | 1.5 | 59.6 | 112 / 57 / 52 | 171705 |
| 89 | Kidney beans, boiled | 1/2 cup (88.5 g) | 358 | 122 | 1 | 7.7 | 60.1 | 111 / 92 / 20 | 173740 |
| 90 | Raisins, dark, seedless | 1 small box (1.5 oz) (43 g) | 320 | 42 | 11 | 1.4 | 60.4 | 103 / 58 / 63 | 168165 |
| 91 | Broccoli, boiled | 1/2 cup, chopped (78 g) | 229 | 52 | 32 | 1.9 | 61.2 | 86 / 67 / 74 | 169967 |
| 92 | Beef frankfurter, heated | 1 frankfurter (48 g) | 121 | 67 | 409 | 5.6 | 62.6 | 44 / 73 / 115 | 174614 |
| 93 | Plain bagel | 1 medium bagel (105 g) | 106 | 101 | 561 | 11.0 | 63.9 | 36 / 84 / 117 | 175049 |
| 94 | Chickpeas, boiled | 1/2 cup (82 g) | 239 | 138 | 6 | 7.3 | 65.3 | 91 / 97 / 54 | 173757 |
| 95 | Tofu, firm | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 202 | 162 | 12 | 14.7 | 65.3 | 76 / 102 / 64 | 172475 |
| 96 | Apricots, dried | 1/2 cup, halves (65 g) | 755 | 46 | 7 | 2.2 | 65.6 | 122 / 64 / 57 | 173941 |
| 97 | Lentils, boiled | 1/2 cup (99 g) | 365 | 178 | 2 | 8.9 | 67.8 | 113 / 107 / 31 | 172421 |
| 98 | Light tuna in water, drained | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 152 | 118 | 210 | 16.5 | 68.3 | 57 / 89 / 107 | 173709 |
| 99 | Cottage cheese, creamed | 1/2 cup, large curd (not packed) (105 g) | 109 | 167 | 331 | 11.7 | 68.6 | 37 / 104 / 113 | 172179 |
| 100 | Peanut butter, smooth | 2 tbsp (32 g) | 179 | 107 | 136 | 7.1 | 68.6 | 68 / 87 / 99 | 174266 |
| 101 | Tomato juice, canned, no salt added | 1 cup (243 g) | 527 | 46 | 24 | 2.1 | 69.4 | 119 / 65 / 73 | 170545 |
| 102 | Cod, Atlantic, cooked | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 208 | 117 | 66 | 19.4 | 69.7 | 80 / 88 / 90 | 171956 |
| 103 | Sweet potato, baked in skin | 1 medium (114 g) | 542 | 62 | 41 | 2.3 | 72.1 | 120 / 71 / 76 | 168483 |
| 104 | Potato chips, salted | 1 oz (28.35 g) | 339 | 43 | 149 | 1.8 | 72.4 | 106 / 61 / 101 | 169677 |
| 105 | Tilapia, raw | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 257 | 145 | 44 | 17.1 | 74.0 | 96 / 99 / 79 | 175176 |
| 106 | Chicken breast, roasted | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 218 | 194 | 63 | 26.4 | 76.0 | 83 / 109 / 89 | 171477 |
| 107 | Potato, baked, flesh and skin | 1 potato medium (173 g) | 926 | 121 | 17 | 4.3 | 76.5 | 123 / 91 / 69 | 170093 |
| 108 | Chicken thigh, roasted | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 229 | 196 | 90 | 21.1 | 78.1 | 87 / 110 / 92 | 172388 |
| 109 | Ground beef 85% lean, broiled | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 270 | 168 | 61 | 22.1 | 78.4 | 97 / 106 / 87 | 174032 |
| 110 | Greek yogurt, plain, nonfat | 6 oz container (170 g) | 240 | 230 | 61 | 17.3 | 80.1 | 92 / 118 / 86 | 170894 |
| 111 | Shrimp, cooked | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 145 | 260 | 805 | 19.4 | 80.9 | 55 / 122 / 122 | 171971 |
| 112 | Pork loin, roasted | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 347 | 206 | 50 | 23.0 | 81.4 | 108 / 113 / 80 | 167821 |
| 113 | Atlantic salmon, farmed, cooked | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 327 | 214 | 52 | 18.8 | 81.7 | 105 / 116 / 81 | 175168 |
| 114 | Pork sausage, turkey, fresh | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 223 | 151 | 504 | 16.0 | 81.7 | 85 / 101 / 116 | 174617 |
| 115 | Ham, sliced, regular | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 244 | 130 | 692 | 14.1 | 83.1 | 93 / 94 / 120 | 173864 |
| 116 | Whole milk | 1 cup (244 g) | 322 | 205 | 105 | 7.7 | 84.2 | 104 / 112 / 95 | 171265 |
| 117 | 2% milk | 1 cup (244 g) | 342 | 224 | 115 | 8.1 | 86.9 | 107 / 117 / 97 | 171267 |
| 118 | Plain whole-milk yogurt | 1 cup, (8 fl oz) (245 g) | 380 | 233 | 113 | 8.5 | 89.1 | 114 / 119 / 96 | 171284 |
| 119 | Cheese pizza, frozen, baked | 1 serving (1/3 of a 15.1 oz frozen pizza) (151 g) | 230 | 270 | 675 | 15.6 | 89.3 | 88 / 123 / 119 | 170317 |
| 120 | French fries, fast food | medium order (117 g) | 677 | 146 | 246 | 4.0 | 89.3 | 121 / 100 / 109 | 170698 |
| 121 | Skim milk | 1 cup (245 g) | 382 | 247 | 103 | 8.3 | 89.3 | 115 / 121 / 94 | 171269 |
| 122 | Turkey breast, sliced deli | 3 oz (85.05 g) | 316 | 212 | 764 | 12.6 | 91.3 | 101 / 115 / 121 | 172941 |
| 123 | Hamburger, single patty | 1 sandwich (171 g) | 385 | 207 | 640 | 26.8 | 94.3 | 116 / 114 / 118 | 170710 |
How we calculated this
Servings: per 100 g x grams / 100 from Foundation Foods 2026-04-30 and SR Legacy 2018-04, using unrounded values for ranking and rounded values for display. Percentile:
(number of foods with a lower value + half of the other foods tied with it) divided by (set size - 1), times 100.
Source details: sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does "kidney-friendly" mean on this page?
Only this: a food that is lower in potassium, phosphorus and sodium per serving than the other 123 comparable foods on the list, by the combined rank described above. It is a relative position in USDA data, not a medical label, and no food is called safe.
Why is protein not part of the score?
The KDOQI 2020 guideline describes different protein ranges depending on CKD stage and dialysis, so there is no single direction of "lower" to rank on. Protein per serving is shown in each food page and on the CKD food list.
Does a high combined rank mean a food is unsuitable?
No. A higher score only means the food is higher on at least one of the three numbers relative to the others in this set. Whether a food fits your plan depends on your own limits, set by your nephrologist or dietitian.
Do packaged versions rank the same?
Not necessarily. Rankings use USDA reference values for generic foods. Processed foods and phosphorus additives may differ, so compare with the product label.