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Yogurt can be enjoyed in many unique ways, from parfaits to smoothies to desserts. But can you eat it when you have chronic kidney disease? Let’s discuss the nutrition behind yogurt to understand better if it can fit into a kidney-friendly diet.
Yogurt and Chronic Kidney Disease
Yogurt originated in Western Asia and the Middle East, with its health benefits being discussed as far back as 6000 BCE. According to research, the health benefits of yogurt have been shown to aid in gut health, diabetes, cancer, bone health, immunity, and more. These health benefits can be beneficial for the general population, but especially for those with chronic kidney disease.
Why is that?
Many people with CKD have diabetes and bone metabolism disorders, which means that eating yogurt could prove helpful for these individuals. Studies also show that maintaining proper gut health with CKD is essential to help remove uremic toxins from the gut (3). Getting adequate probiotics can support the removal of uremic toxins and, therefore, help manage CKD.
Yogurt Nutrition Information for Chronic Kidney Disease
Here is the nutrition information for a few different types of yogurt. Different types of yogurt have different nutrients in them. These nutrients can sometimes affect your kidneys and how they function. So, it’s important to understand the nutritional content of yogurt to better understand how to fit it into your kidney-friendly diet.
Nonfat plain yogurt (100 grams):
- 50 calories
- 4 grams protein
- 8 grams carbohydrates
- 167 milligrams calcium
- 127 milligrams phosphorus
- 210 milligrams potassium
- 51 milligrams sodium
Nonfat greek yogurt (100 grams):
- 59 calories
- 10 grams protein
- 4 grams carbohydrates
- 111 milligrams calcium
- 136 milligrams phosphorus
- 141 milligrams potassium
- 36 milligrams sodium
Overall, yogurt contains low amounts of sodium and higher amounts of calcium, which can benefit people with CKD. If you have CKD, you will want to ensure you’re limiting your sodium intake and getting adequate calcium in your diet.
Yogurt, Protein and Chronic Kidney Disease
When managing Chronic Kidney Disease, limiting protein is often key. Yogurt is considered a higher protein food. If you want a lower protein diet, yogurt can fit, but portion size is key. Be mindful of your portion size if you are watching your protein intake. You may want to stick to plain yogurt as it has lower protein than Greek yogurt.
You may also want to consider trying a lower-protein yogurt, like a plant-based yogurt. My favorite yogurt is Forager cashew yogurt because it’s low in protein but still has beneficial probiotics.
Yogurt is also a moderate potassium and moderate phosphorus food. Sometimes, limiting potassium and phosphorus is also helpful, but not for everyone with CKD. Work with your healthcare team and doctor to ensure you’re getting the right amount of potassium and phosphorus for your body.
Dietician's Favorite Yogurt Recipes for Chronic Kidney Disease
- Lemon yogurt parfait
- Yogurt ranch dip
- Berry yogurt smoothie
- Easy salt free seasoning dip
- Onion herb flatbread crackers with peachy dip
- Strawberry & chocolate frozen yogurt break
The Bottom Line
Overall, yogurt can fit in a kidney-friendly diet. Yogurt has been shown to be beneficial for gut health, diabetes management, and bone health. It’s important to be mindful of your individual dietary needs so that you can choose the best yogurt for your kidney health!
If you are following a lower protein or plant-based diet for your CKD, you may want to choose a plant-based yogurt like cashew yogurt that is both plant-based and low in protein. If you are following a higher protein diet, then maybe Greek yogurt is the best choice for you.