Oatmeal and Kidney Disease

Oatmeal is a popular breakfast food that is easy to make, filling, and full of nutritional benefits. However, people with chronic kidney disease will need to keep in mind some additional considerations when choosing a type of oatmeal to buy.

This post may contain affiliate links through which we may earn a small commission to help keep this website free.

Skip the ads: Kidney Foodie Academy members can access ALL of the Kidney Foodie Grocery Shopping Guides ad-free by visiting this section of the library. Not a member? Learn more about Kidney Foodie Academy here.

Is oatmeal good for kidneys?

Yes! Oatmeal can be very kidney friendly. Oatmeal is a whole grain that is high in fiber and low in sodium. The unflavored kinds (i.e. the kinds that do not come in little single serving packets) are also free of phosphorus additives. Like most grains, oatmeal is high in carbohydrates and low in fat, so eating it on it’s own is probably not going to be as filling and satisfying all by itself.

If you have kidney disease and are not on dialysis you’ll want to pair oatmeal with some low protein, high fat foods such nuts to add more calories to your meal without going over your protein.

If you’re on dialysis, then adding higher protein foods to go with your oatmeal would be better. Mixing in peanut butter or serving with yogurt or eggs, along with your favorite fruit are all good options for a well rounded, dialysis-friendly breakfast.

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrate: 27g
• Fat: 3g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 150mg
• Calcium: 20mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 1g

Is oatmeal high in potassium?

No. A half cup of dry instant oatmeal contains 150 calories and 150mg of potassium. Generally speaking, when a food has roughly the same amount of potassium as calories, it is considered a low potassium food.

Many people with CKD who are not on dialysis do not need to be on a potassium restriction and there are many other things that could be causing your potassium levels to be high. For example, constipation can impact your potassium levels. Foods high in fiber, such as oatmeal, can help prevent constipation.

Research even suggests that consuming oatmeal may have a beneficial impact on albumin and potassium levels in people with chronic kidney disease.

Other types of oatmeal that are unflavored such as steel cut oats or rolled oats will have similar nutrition, so rolled oats, quick oats, and steel cut oats are all considered low potassium foods.

Is oatmeal high in phosphorus?

No. One half cup of dry rolled oats contains an estimated 50mg of bioavailable phosphorus making it a low phosphorus food.

There are many websites (even some reputable ones!) that still list oatmeal as being a high phosphorus food, but this is based on outdated information. A serving of oats may contain 166mg of total phosphorus, however we now know that phosphorus found in plant-based foods such as oatmeal is very poorly absorbed by the body.

It is estimated that only about 30% of plant-based phosphorus can be absorbed by your body, which means that only 30% of that phosphorus will enter your bloodstream and potentially cause high phosphorus levels. Just be careful of flavored oatmeals and phosphorus additives.

Many store bought flavored oatmeal packs contain phosphorus additives, which are not good for people with kidney disease. This type of phosphorus is very well absorbed by your body and is one of the biggest contributors to high phosphorus levels for people with kidney disease.

In order to ensure that you are buying a low phosphorus oatmeal, be sure to check the ingredient list for any words that contain the letters ‘PHOS’. If you see ‘PHOS’ in any ingredient on the oatmeal label, it would be best to find a different option (we share plenty below!).

Is oatmeal good for diabetes?

Oatmeal is a high carbohydrate food, however that does not mean that people with diabetes cannot enjoy it. Oatmeal is considered a complex carbohydrate and it is high in fiber, so this helps slow down digestion and prevent large spikes in blood sugar.

We recommend limiting your portion to one serving, and to be sure that you are including lots of healthy fats with your meal to help maintain more even blood sugar and to make the meal more filling. Pair it with a high fiber fruit like berries and your favorite high fat nuts.

We also recommend preparing oatmeal from scratch. Many pre-flavored oatmeals are high in added sugars and may also contain phosphorus additives or excess sodium.

How should I prepare oatmeal?

Cooking your oatmeal from scratch is actually quite easy (especially if you choose the quick cooking oats). Check out our easy recipe for kidney friendly Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. When cooking oatmeal, we recommend using water or a plant based milk since they are lower in protein. Experiment with different mix-ins like cinnamon, maple syrup, apples, strawberries, flaxseed, etc.

How to select a flavored instant oatmeal

If you don’t want to cook your own oatmeal and prefer to buy pre-flavored, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Low in Sodium

Many pre-packaged, flavored instant oatmeals are high in sodium. Certain flavors like Maple and Brown Sugar tend to be repeat offenders and most brands with that flavor will be too high. Be sure to check the food label to make sure that the one you select has more calories that sodium.

No Phosphorus Additives

Many instant oatmeal packets contain phosphorus additives, which makes them a high phosphorus food. Be sure to read the ingredient labels to make sure that the oatmeal you have selected does not contain phosphorus additives.

The right amount of protein

Many instant oatmeals now contain added protein. If you have CKD and are not on dialysis, you should be limiting your protein intake. You will want to avoid any higher protein oatmeals. In general, instant oatmeal should have no more than 4g of protein per packet.

Keep reading to see which flavored oatmeals are considered kidney-friendly!

Kidney Friendly Oatmeal You Can Buy

365 by Whole Foods Apple Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 3g
• Carbohydrate: 31g
• Fat: 1.5g
• Sodium: 45mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 120mg
• Calcium: 0mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 13g

This kidney friendly oatmeal contains no phosphorus additives and is low in sodium, low protein, and low potassium. Like most instant oatmeals, it does contain a fair amout of added sugar. Other kidney friendly flavors: Cinnamon and Spice, Strawberries and Cream, and Apple Cinnamon Chia. Note that their Maple Sugar flavor is high in sodium. Click the link below to check prices. Click the icon below to check prices and reviews for this product.

Check Prices

Bakery on Main Instant Oatmeal

• Calories: 200
• Protein: 6g
• Carbohydrate: 36g
• Fat: 3.5g
• Sodium: 40mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 170mg
• Calcium: 30mg
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 11g

This kidney friendly oatmeal is a bit higher in protein, but you can balance that out by pairing it with some fruit and low protein nuts for breakfast. They also make a Maple Multigrain Muffin flavor that is kidney friendly. Click the link below to check prices. Click the icon below to check prices and reviews for this product.

Check Prices

Good & Gather Apple Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 4g
• Carbohydrate: 31g
• Fat: 2g
• Sodium: 70mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 130mg
• Calcium: 0mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 12g

This kidney friendly oatmeal is low in sodium and contains no phosphorus additives. Note: they also make a Maple Sugar flavor, but it is higher in sodium. Click the icon below to check prices and reviews for this product.

Check Prices

Publix Greenwise Maple & Brown Sugar

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 4g
• Carbohydrate: 32g
• Fat: 2g
• Sodium: 95mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 110mg
• Calcium: 0mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 12g

Maple & Brown Sugar is a very popular flavor for instant oatmeal, but for some reason, the vast majority of brands that make this flavor are either high in sodium or contain phosphorus additives. Be sure to check labels when shopping for this particular flavor. This Publix version is actually very low in sodium compared to other oatmeals making it a kidney friendly oatmeal. Note that this is the only flavor that Publix makes that is low in sodium and contains no phosphorus additives. Click the icon below to check prices and reviews for this product.

Quaker Instant Oatmeal

• Calories: 160
• Protein: 4g
• Carbohydrate: 33g
• Fat: 2g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 150mg
• Calcium: 20mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 11g

Possibly the most well known brand of oatmeal, Quaker makes several instant oatmeals that are low in sodium and contain no added phosphates. Other kidney friendly oatmeal flavors include Apple Cinnamon, Apples & Cranberries, Blueberry Strawberry, and Coconut and Caramel. If you are on dialysis and need a more protein, Quaker also makes several kidney friendly high protein oatmeal flavors (all but the Maple Brown Sugar). Click the icon below to check prices and reviews for this product.

Check Prices

Are quaker oats good for kidneys?

Yes, the unflavored Quaker oats that come in the large container (not the individual packets) are good for people with kidney disease. The unflavored oats will be high in fiber, low in sodium, low in potassium, and low in bioavailable phosphorus.

The flavored products may have added sodium and phosphorus, so always check the food label and ingredient list.

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrate: 27g
• Fat: 3g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Phosphorus
  Additives: None
• Potassium: 150mg
• Calcium: 20mg
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 1g