Can I eat cheese on a low potassium diet?

December 28, 2025 •

3 min read

Many cheeses are naturally low in potassium, with some types containing less than 100 mg per ounce. For individuals on a restricted diet, the key question, 'Can I eat cheese on a low potassium diet?', depends on the specific cheese and portion size.

Quick Summary

Many cheeses are compatible with a low potassium diet when consumed in moderation. The best choices are low-potassium types like goat cheese and Swiss, while processed varieties are best avoided.

Key Points

Select Lower-Potassium Varieties: Opt for cheeses like goat, Swiss, feta, brie, and cream cheese, as they are generally low in potassium.
Practice Strict Portion Control: Keep servings to 1-2 ounces to manage potassium intake, as even lower-potassium options contribute to your daily total.
Avoid High-Potassium Additives: Check ingredient lists for potassium chloride, a common salt substitute that increases potassium levels in processed cheeses.
Limit Processed Cheeses: Processed slices and spreads often contain higher potassium levels and harmful additives, making them less suitable for a low-potassium diet.
Monitor Other Nutrients: Be mindful of sodium and phosphorus content, particularly if you have kidney disease, as levels can vary widely across cheese types.
Consult a Dietitian: It is always best to work with a healthcare professional or renal dietitian to create a personalized, safe dietary plan.

Understanding Potassium in Your Diet

For individuals with kidney disease, hyperkalemia (high blood potassium) can be a serious concern, requiring a strict low-potassium diet. While potassium is a vital nutrient, excess levels can be dangerous, making careful dietary planning essential. When it comes to dairy, and specifically cheese, the potassium content can vary significantly, so understanding which options are safe is critical.

Low-Potassium Cheese Options

Many popular cheeses are naturally low in potassium, allowing them to be included in a balanced low-potassium diet. Here is a list of some of the best choices:

Goat Cheese: Often cited as one of the lowest potassium options, with as little as 7 mg per ounce.
Feta Cheese: This crumbly cheese is a strong-flavored choice that contains just 18-19 mg of potassium per ounce, meaning a little can go a long way.
Brie: This soft, creamy cheese is another great option, with a low potassium count of around 46 mg per ounce.
Swiss Cheese: A slice of Swiss cheese contains about 22-23 mg of potassium per ounce and is lower in sodium than many other cheeses.
Cream Cheese: With only about 40 mg of potassium per 2 tablespoons, cream cheese is a versatile, low-potassium option for spreads and recipes.
Mozzarella: A popular, mild cheese that contains roughly 23 mg of potassium per ounce.
Ricotta Cheese: While lower in sodium, ricotta contains about 69 mg of potassium per 1/4 cup, so it should be used with portion control in mind.
Parmesan Cheese: A hard, shredded cheese with a low potassium content of 10 mg per 2 tablespoons, great for flavor with a light sprinkle.

Cheeses to Limit or Avoid

Some cheeses should be limited or completely avoided on a low-potassium diet due to higher potassium or phosphorus levels, and potential additives.

Processed Cheese: These products often contain higher levels of potassium and potassium chloride additives used as salt substitutes. Always read labels carefully.
Cottage Cheese: While some low-potassium lists include it, half a cup of regular cottage cheese contains 149 mg of potassium, and a no-salt-added version has 200 mg. Be mindful of the serving size.

How to Safely Enjoy Cheese

Beyond choosing the right type of cheese, there are other strategies for keeping your diet safe and delicious.

Portion Control is Key

Even low-potassium cheeses can contribute to your daily intake, so moderation is essential. Many resources suggest limiting servings to one to two ounces, one or two times per week. For soft cheeses like cottage or ricotta, carefully measure a half-cup serving. A dietitian can provide personalized guidance on appropriate portion sizes for your specific needs.

Watch Out for Additives

Potassium chloride is a common salt substitute added to many processed or reduced-sodium foods, including some cheeses. This can significantly increase the potassium content, making a seemingly safe product unsuitable. It is crucial to check the ingredient list for potassium additives, especially in low-sodium products.

Mind Other Nutrients

For those on a renal diet, it's also important to consider phosphorus and sodium levels in cheese. While many low-potassium cheeses are also lower in phosphorus, some, like feta and cheddar, can be higher in sodium. Be sure to monitor all nutrients as advised by your healthcare team.

Cheese Comparison Table

To help visualize the difference, here is a comparison of various cheeses based on a standard 30-gram (approx. 1 oz) serving.


Cheese Type	Approx. Potassium (mg)	Approx. Sodium (mg)	Approx. Phosphorus (mg)
Soft Goat Cheese	8	138	77
Feta	19	275	101
Swiss Cheese	23	21	170
Mozzarella	23	213	124
Cream Cheese (2 tbsp)	40	108	32
Brie	46	188	56
Processed Slice	68	381	112
Cottage Cheese (1/2 cup)	149	368	179

Conclusion

Yes, you can eat cheese on a low-potassium diet, provided you make smart choices and practice strict portion control. The key lies in selecting naturally low-potassium varieties like goat cheese, feta, Swiss, and brie, while carefully monitoring serving sizes. Always check ingredient lists for potassium chloride, especially in processed or 'lite' versions. With careful planning and guidance from a dietitian, you can safely enjoy cheese as part of a healthy, low-potassium eating plan. For more helpful tips and recipes, consult resources like the Kidney Community Kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best cheeses for a low-potassium diet are naturally lower-potassium varieties like goat cheese, Swiss, feta, brie, cream cheese, and mozzarella, as they contain minimal amounts of the mineral.

It is recommended to limit your intake of cheese to 1 to 2 ounces, once or twice a week, depending on your dietary restrictions. Portion control is key to keeping potassium levels in check.

Cottage cheese has a higher potassium content than many other cheeses, so it should be consumed cautiously. If you do eat it, choose a low-sodium version and limit your serving size, as advised by your healthcare team.

Yes, processed cheese slices are generally higher in potassium compared to natural cheeses. They often contain additives, including potassium chloride, which makes them unsuitable for a restricted diet.

Yes, goat cheese is one of the lowest potassium cheese options available. An ounce of soft goat cheese contains very little potassium, making it an excellent choice for a low-potassium diet.

Yes, always check the ingredients label, especially for processed or low-sodium cheeses, to ensure they do not contain potassium chloride or other potassium additives. Many standard cheeses, however, are naturally low.

If you occasionally consume a high-potassium food, including certain cheeses, a single instance is unlikely to cause a severe issue. The focus should be on overall dietary balance, but if you have concerns, consult a healthcare professional immediately.