Is Almond Milk Good for Kidneys? A Kidney Dietitian Explains

Is Almond Milk Low in Potassium?

Yes—unsweetened almond milk is considered low in potassium. Most varieties contain around 160 mg of potassium per 1 cup serving, which is significantly less than cow’s milk, which can have over 350 mg per cup. That makes almond milk a useful option for people with CKD who have been told to watch their potassium intake.

But not everyone with CKD needs to limit potassium. Potassium levels are influenced by many things—including medications, acid-base balance, blood sugar levels, and how well your kidneys are filtering. For some people, limiting high-potassium foods isn’t necessary and could even lead to nutrient gaps.

If you’re unsure whether potassium is something you need to watch—or you’re struggling to keep your levels in range—I walk through this topic in more detail in my free mini-course, 5 Ways to Control Potassium Without Avoiding High Potassium Foods. You can sign up here to get instant access.

What About Phosphorus in Almond Milk?

Naturally, almond milk is low in phosphorus. One cup may contain as little as 20–30 mg of phosphorus.

However, many commercial almond milks are fortified with phosphate additives, such as tricalcium phosphate, disodium phosphate, or dicalcium phosphate. These additives are more readily absorbed by the body than naturally occurring phosphorus—nearly 100% absorbed, compared to about 40–60% for phosphorus in whole foods.

Why does phosphorus matter in CKD? Too much phosphorus in the blood can pull calcium out of your bones, weaken them, and lead to dangerous calcium-phosphate buildup in blood vessels and soft tissues. Your blood levels of phosphorus will not always be a good indicator of whether you are getting too much phosphorus in the diet. To be safe, choose almond milk without added phosphates.

Almond Milk Is Low in Protein—Is That Good or Bad?

One cup of almond milk typically contains only 1 gram of protein—far less than the 8 grams in cow’s milk.

Why does protein matter in CKD? When you eat protein, your body creates waste products like urea and creatinine that the kidneys must filter out. For people with CKD who are not on dialysis, limiting protein—especially animal protein—to the right amount can help preserve kidney function. Plant-based milks like almond milk can help reduce protein load while still offering a versatile milk alternative.

What About Calcium in Almond Milk?

When most people think of milk, they think of calcium—and with good reason. Calcium is important for bone health and plays a key role in muscle contractions, nerve function, and maintaining a steady heartbeat.

Like most nutrients in CKD, calcium needs to be kept in balance. Too little calcium can weaken bones, but too much—especially in the form of supplements or additives—can contribute to calcium buildup in blood vessels and soft tissues.

The KDOQI guidelines recommend that people with chronic kidney disease aim for 800–1,000 mg of calcium per day, including what you get from food, supplements, and medications.

Most almond milks are fortified with calcium to provide a similar amount to cow’s milk—often around 300–450 mg per cup. This can be helpful if you’re not getting much calcium elsewhere in your diet. But if you take calcium-based phosphate binders or have elevated calcium levels, you may want to avoid high-calcium beverages and opt for one that is unfortified or contains less calcium.

There has been a case of a person with CKD developing severe hypercalcemia from almond milk, however this man was drinking a GALLON of If you’re unsure whether you need a high- or low-calcium milk, talk with your healthcare provider or dietitian.

What About Sodium in Almond Milk?

Most plant milks have more sodium than calories, so we would technically consider them higher sodium foods. However, the overall amount of excess sodium is usually small, and easily offset by making lower sodium choices elsewhere in the day.

For many people, the benefit of having a lower phosphorus, lower potassium milk source outweighs the excess sodium.