Yogurt vs Cheddar Cheese: Which Is Better for Kidneys?

Looking at the three rated minerals, Yogurt lands in the Kidney-friendly tier and Cheddar Cheese in the Higher risk tier. The biggest gap is Phosphorus — Yogurt sits at 10% of the daily limit versus 46% for Cheddar Cheese.

Yogurt
Kidney-friendly Cheddar Cheese
Higher risk

Phosphorus

95 mg

10%

460 mg

46%

Sodium

46 mg

644 mg

32%

Potassium

155 mg

76 mg

About Yogurt

Yogurt sits in the Dairy & Eggs group. Dairy products are high in phosphorus with high absorption and should be limited. With eggs, the white is a low-phosphorus protein while the yolk is much higher - treat them differently.

About Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar Cheese sits in the Dairy & Eggs group. Dairy products are high in phosphorus with high absorption and should be limited. With eggs, the white is a low-phosphorus protein while the yolk is much higher - treat them differently.

Practical tips

A common practice is: Watch dairy portions; with eggs, the yolk is phosphorus-dense while the white is not - treat them differently. A common practice is: Watch dairy portions; with eggs, the yolk is phosphorus-dense while the white is not - treat them differently.

See Yogurt details See Cheddar Cheese details

Frequently asked questions

Which has more phosphorus, yogurt or cheddar cheese?

By weight, Yogurt provides 95 mg of Phosphorus per 100 g; Cheddar Cheese provides 460 mg. That is the main mineral gap between them.

Is yogurt or cheddar cheese better for kidney disease?

Under the daily limits used on this site, Yogurt falls in the Kidney-friendly tier and Cheddar Cheese in the Higher risk tier. Lower tiers mean a smaller share of the daily allowance per 100 g.

What is the difference between yogurt and cheddar cheese for a CKD diet?

For a CKD diet, the key gap is Phosphorus — 10% of the limit for Yogurt and 46% for Cheddar Cheese. Check each food page for phosphorus, sodium and potassium together.