Cottage Cheese

The bottom line
The dairy exception: named by the National Kidney Foundation as a lower-phosphorus alternative, with moderate sodium to watch.
A healthier swap
No swap needed — cottage cheese is itself the swap for harder cheeses. Low-salt versions trim the sodium further.
Understand the nutrients
Frequently asked questions
Why is cottage cheese lower in phosphorus than other cheese?
Its curds are washed during making, which carries away some phosphorus and whey. It keeps useful protein while easing the phosphorus budget — a rare win in dairy.
These pages are general education about eating with kidney disease, dialysis or a kidney transplant. They are not medical advice and do not replace your own care plan. Kidney diets are individual: what is right for you depends on your stage, your blood tests, your medicines and your other conditions. Always talk to your care team or renal dietitian before changing what you eat, and never stop or change a medicine because of something you read here.
