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Protein in a CKD Diet

If protein is part of your care plan, this is the practical reference: 15 foods rated for CKD stage 3-4, a short list of higher-risk items, and a few data-backed tips. Individual needs still depend on your stage and labs.

Lower-risk options (15)

Kidney-friendlyGelatins, dry powder, unsweetenedK 16 · P 39 · Na 196 mgKidney-friendlyPork, fresh, variety meats and by-products, ears, frozen, cooked, simmeredK 40 · P 24 · Na 167 mgKidney-friendlyPork, fresh, variety meats and by-products, ears, frozen, rawK 55 · P 41 · Na 191 mgKidney-friendlyChicken, feet, boiledK 31 · P 83 · Na 67 mgKidney-friendlyPork, fresh, variety meats and by-products, feet, cooked, simmeredK 33 · P 82 · Na 73 mgKidney-friendlyPork, fresh, variety meats and by-products, feet, rawK 63 · P 75 · Na 132 mgKidney-friendlyLamb, Australian, imported, fresh, seam fat, rawK 126 · P 71 · Na 55 mgKidney-friendlyPork, fresh, variety meats and by-products, tail, cooked, simmeredK 157 · P 47 · Na 25 mgKidney-friendlyPork, fresh, variety meats and by-products, stomach, cooked, simmeredK 85 · P 129 · Na 40 mgKidney-friendlyChicken, broilers or fryers, skin only, cooked, stewedK 117 · P 99 · Na 56 mgKidney-friendlyChicken, broilers or fryers, neck, meat and skin, cooked simmeredK 108 · P 122 · Na 52 mgKidney-friendlyBeef, New Zealand, imported, brisket navel end, separable lean and fat, cooked, braisedK 137 · P 94 · Na 33 mgKidney-friendlyWheat flour, white, 15% protein, bleached, enrichedK 120 · P 128 · Na 2 mgKidney-friendlyWheat flour, white, 15% protein, bleached, unenrichedK 120 · P 128 · Na 2 mgKidney-friendlyChicken, broilers or fryers, skin only, cooked, fried, flourK 125 · P 126 · Na 53 mg

Treat with caution (10)

Higher riskParsley, freeze-driedK 6300 · P 548 · Na 391 mgHigher riskBeverages, Cocoa mix, low calorie, powder, with added calcium, phosphorus, aspartame, without added sodium or vitamin AK 2702 · P 1630 · Na 653 mgHigher riskSeeds, cottonseed meal, partially defattedK 1869 · P 1684 · Na 37 mgHigher riskSeeds, cottonseed flour, partially defattedK 1772 · P 1597 · Na 35 mgHigher riskSeeds, cottonseed flour, low fatK 1761 · P 1587 · Na 35 mgHigher riskSoy meal, defatted, rawK 2490 · P 701 · Na 3 mgHigher riskBeverages, Dairy drink mix, chocolate, reduced calorie, with low-calorie sweeteners, powderK 2240 · P 893 · Na 659 mgHigher riskSpices, parsley, driedK 2683 · P 436 · Na 452 mgHigher riskSoy flour, defattedK 2384 · P 674 · Na 20 mgHigher riskSoy protein concentrate, produced by alcohol extractionK 2202 · P 839 · Na 3 mg

Practical tips

Read the daily-limit percentages rather than raw numbers — a food at 18% of the potassium limit is different from one at 8%. Check the full food page before adding something new to the routine — it shows all three minerals plus purine and oxalate where available.

Browse all kidney-friendly foods →

Frequently asked questions

How much phosphorus can a CKD patient have per day?

For the rating basis used on this site, the daily limit is 1,000 mg of phosphorus at CKD stage 3-4. Individual targets depend on your labs and should be confirmed with your healthcare team.

What foods should I avoid on a protein plan?

The caution list on this page shows the highest-load foods in the database. The top item on the caution list is Rice bran, crude at 1677 mg of phosphorus per 100 g — 168% of the daily limit. Each food page shows the exact percentage of the daily limit for all three minerals.

Are these recommendations right for everyone on a protein plan?

No list can replace individual advice. This page covers 15 lower-risk foods and 10 caution items, rated per 100 g against the 1,000 mg phosphorus limit — your stage, blood results and medications all matter, so treat this as data, not a prescription.