Milk is a daily staple for many of us—whether it’s a splash in your morning coffee, part of your favorite recipe, or a refreshing glass on its own. But when you’re managing chronic kidney disease (CKD), something as simple as choosing the right milk can quickly feel complicated. With shelves overflowing with options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choice between a traditional dairy milk and a wide range of plant-based alternatives.
This blog post will guide you through the world of milk options, helping you understand the differences between them and what to consider when choosing a milk that supports your kidney health. By the time you finish reading, you’ll feel confident about selecting a milk that fits well into your CKD-friendly diet.
Nutritional factors to consider with milk if you have CKD
Milk can be a nutritious part of your diet. When living with CKD Stage 3-4 you may find it helpful to understand how some nutrients within milk impact kidney health to help you make an informed choice.
In this section, we’ll break down the different nutrients in milk and why they matter.
1. Protein
Protein is important for maintaining muscle as you age, helping you to stay strong, healthy, and independent. It also plays a key role in supporting your immune system to fight off infections. However for people with CKD, it’s important to strike the right balance, as too much protein can put an extra strain on the kidneys and too little protein might not be good for your muscles.
Dairy milk is a fairly good source of protein, with a half pint of dairy milk containing roughly the same amount of protein as one egg. However, the protein content is lower in all plant-based milk alternatives, except for soya milk, which has similar protein levels to dairy milk. Your choice of milk can help you meet your protein needs while supporting kidney health.
2. Fat
Fat plays a role in heart health, which is especially important for you if you have CKD due to an increased risk of cardiovascular issues. While dairy milk contains saturated fat, research suggests that saturated fats from dairy may have less of an impact on heart health compared to saturated fats from other animal foods eg red meat, processed meats.
For this reason, if you prefer the taste of whole milk, switching to skimmed or semi-skimmed milk may not be a top priority unless you are looking for a lower fat option to reduce your fat intake. Plant-based milk alternatives, such as almond, rice or oat milk, are naturally lower in fat and therefore also good lower fat options.
3. Potassium
The kidneys are usually very good at clearing excess potassium, but as CKD progresses, their ability to remove excess potassium is reduced. Too much potassium in the blood can affect your heart so it’s important to check with your healthcare team if you need to follow a lower potassium diet. Dairy milk naturally contains some potassium and many plant-based milk alternatives contain potassium additives, so limiting portion sizes of dairy milk and reading labels carefully is important if you are following a lower potassium diet.
4. Phosphate
Like potassium, with CKD, the kidneys struggle to remove excess phosphate from your blood. High levels of phosphate in the blood can lead to issues such as itching or, over time, weakening of the bones and bone pain.
Dairy milk naturally contains higher levels of phosphate, and plant-based milk alternatives can often contain phosphate additives. If you have been advised to follow a lower phosphate diet, limiting the quantity of dairy milk you consume or choosing a plant-based alternative without phosphate additives can be important for managing your kidney health.
5. Carbohydrates
Dairy milk contains carbohydrates in the form of lactose and typically provides a moderate amount of carbohydrate. The amount of carbohydrate in plant-based milk alternatives varies—options like almond and coconut milk are lower whereas soya milk contains a moderate amount, and oat and rice milk are higher.
If you have diabetes, considering the carbohydrate content of milk may be important in balancing your blood sugar levels.
Want to feel more confident about your food choices? Download our free guide CKD Results Made Simple, where we explain what your blood test results mean and how they connect to your diet.
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Types of milk & CKD
In this section, we’ll talk about the different types of milk, their nutritional profiles, and whether it might be suitable to meet your needs. Whether you prefer dairy or plant-based options, understanding how they fit into your diet can help you make the best choice for your CKD.
1. Dairy Milk
Description: Typically made from cow’s milk, this has been a household favourite for generations. Semi-skimmed and skimmed milk are made by removing some of the fat content from whole milk giving it a lighter watery texture. Although less popular, sheep and goat’s milk are also considered dairy and may be chosen for their unique flavours or easier digestibility for some individuals.
Nutrition: A fairly good source of protein and higher in potassium and phosphate compared to plant-based milk alternatives that are free from additives. The fat content varies between whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk. They all contain essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D.
Who is suitable for this type of milk? If you have CKD 3-4 and have less than 200 mls/day of milk and are not on a lower protein diet.
Example: Your local supermarket’s whole, semi-skimmed or skimmed milk.
2. Plant-Based Milk Alternatives
Plant-based alternatives—such as soya, almond, oat, coconut and rice milk—have gained popularity in recent years, offering a naturally lactose-free option with diverse flavours, textures and nutrient content to suit different preferences.
All plant-based milk alternatives are fortified with calcium and VItamin D except for the organic varieties.
Most plant-based milk alternatives (except organic varieties) contain potassium and/or phosphate additives so if you are following a low potassium or low phosphate diet, we recommend you check the ingredients labels.
Soya Milk
Description: Soya milk is made from soybeans. It has a creamy appearance and a slightly nutty taste, with a smooth texture that works well in coffee, tea, or cooking.
Nutrition: Higher in protein than other plant-based milk alternatives. Naturally lower in potassium and phosphate compared to dairy (if organic).
Who is suitable for this type of milk? If you have CKD 3-4 and have more than 200 mls/day of milk and are not following a lower protein diet.
Example: Plenish Organic Soya, Alpro Soya No Sugar Chilled/Longlife (contains additives so not suitable if you are on a low potassium/phosphate diet)
Almond Milk
Description: Almond milk is made by blending almonds with water and straining the mixture to remove solids. It has a light, watery appearance and a mildly nutty flavour. The texture is thin, making it refreshing and easy to drink.
Nutrition: Lower in protein compared to dairy and soya milk. Naturally lower in potassium and phosphate compared to dairy (if organic). Also low in carbohydrates.
Who is suitable for this type of milk? If you have CKD 3-4 and drink more than 200 mls/day and are on a lower protein diet.
Example: Almond Breeze Almond Unsweetened Fresh Drink (contains additives so not suitable if you are on a low potassium/phosphate diet), Plenish Organic Almond Unsweetened Drink, Rude Health Almond Drink Organic
Cashew Milk
Description: Cashew milk is created by blending cashews with water and straining the mixture. It has a creamy texture and a slightly sweet, nutty flavour. Its smooth consistency makes it a popular choice for coffee and desserts.
Nutrition: Lower in protein compared to dairy and soya milk. Naturally lower in potassium and phosphate compared to dairy (if organic). Also low in carbohydrates.
Who is suitable for this type of milk? If you have CKD 3-4 and drink more than 200 mls/day and are on a lower protein diet.
Example: Plenish Organic Cashew Milk Longlife.
Coconut Dairy-Free Drink
Description: Coconut dairy- free drink is made by diluting coconut milk with water or blending small amounts of coconut cream with a larger volume of water. Some are blended with rice milk as well. This is different to coconut milk which is sold in tins or tetra packs and commonly used in cooking.
Nutrition: Lower in protein compared to dairy and soya milk. Naturally lower in potassium and phosphate compared to dairy (if organic). Also low in carbohydrates.
Who is suitable for this type of milk? If you have CKD 3-4 and drink more than 200 mls/day and are on a lower protein diet.
Example: Alpro Coconut No Sugar Long Life Dairy Free Drink (contains additives so not suitable if you are on a low potassium/phosphate diet), Rude Health Coconut with Calcium Drink.
Rice Milk
Description: Rice milk is made by blending cooked rice with water and straining the solids. It has a thin consistency with a naturally sweet taste and a mild, grainy aroma.
Nutrition: Lower in protein compared to dairy and soya milk. Naturally lower in potassium and phosphate compared to dairy (if organic). Higher in carbohydrates.
Who is suitable for this type of milk? If you have CKD 3-4 and drink more than 200 mls/day and are on a lower protein diet. May not be suitable if you have diabetes due to the higher carbohydrate content.
Example: Rude Health Brown Rice Drink Organic, Tilda Organic Rice Milk, Joya Rice Dream (contains additives so not suitable if you are on a low potassium/phosphate diet)
Oat Milk
Description: Oat milk is made by soaking oats in water, blending, and straining the mixture. It has a creamy consistency, a slightly sweet taste, and a light beige colour. The texture is smooth, making it a popular choice for milky coffees and cooking.
Nutrition: Lower in protein compared to dairy and soya milk. Naturally lower in potassium and phosphate compared to dairy. Higher in carbohydrates.
Who is suitable for this type of milk? If you have CKD 3-4 and drink more than 200 mls/day and are on a lower protein diet. May not be suitable if you have diabetes due to the higher carbohydrate content.
Example: Alpro Oat No Sugars Longlife/Chilled Drink, Oatly Organic Longlife Drink, Plenish Organic & Unsweetened Oat Milk, Plenish Organic Oat Milk Dairy Alternative, Rude Health Oat Drink Organic.
3. Lactose free milk
Description: Lactose-free milk is made by adding lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose, to regular cow’s milk. This process makes it easier to digest for individuals with lactose intolerance. It has the same creamy texture, white colour, and slightly sweet taste as regular dairy milk.
Nutrition: Lactose-free milk contains the same nutrients as dairy milk, including calcium, vitamin D, protein, potassium and phosphate.
Who is suitable for this type of milk? If you have CKD 3-4 and lactose intolerance and want to have dairy milk. If you have lactose intolerance and drink more than 200 mls/day, you may wish to consider a plant-based milk alternative. These are all lactose-free but naturally contain less protein, potassium and phosphate.
Example: Your local supermarket’s lactose-free milk.
Practical considerations when choosing the right type of milk for CKD
1. Choose a milk based on your diet needs and taste preference
When managing CKD, choosing the best milk for you starts with understanding how it meets your overall diet needs – whether you are choosing to eat less protein, have been advised to follow a low potassium and/or phosphate diet or are mindful of your carbohydrate intake.
Your personal taste preference is just as important when making this choice. Some people enjoy the creamy texture of dairy milk, while others prefer the lighter feel and unique flavours of plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk. By considering both your health and what you enjoy, you can confidently choose a milk that works for you.
2. Be mindful of portion sizes
Choosing the best milk isn’t just about whether it’s dairy or plant-based—it’s also about what fits into your unique overall diet. Ask yourself questions like: How much milk do I drink daily? How much do I have in foods such as cereal or in cooking?
Portion size is an important factor when considering what milk is right for you. Choosing the right milk can give you flexibility in consuming more if you are a milk lover. But if you just have a splash of milk in your tea and coffee, then it’s unlikely to matter what milk you choose.
3. Look for hidden additives
Check ingredient labels carefully for plant-based milks as many contain potassium or phosphate additives, which can impact kidney health. Organic varieties do not contain any additives but they are not fortified with calcium and VItamin D.
If you have not been advised to follow a lower potassium and/or lower phosphate diet, a non organic fortified version will likely be the better option. If, however, you are, then check ingredients labels for additives.
Common additives include:
- Tri-calcium phosphate
- Di-potassium phosphate
- Potassium iodide
We hope that this blog post makes it easier for you to choose a milk that you enjoy and that is suited to your nutritional needs with CKD.
A small adjustment to your diet like changing the type of milk you buy can make a difference in managing your CKD. By enjoying milk in moderation, checking labels carefully, and selecting the best option for your specific health needs, milk can still be a nutritious and enjoyable part of your balanced and kidney-friendly diet!
If you’d like more support with your diet on your kidney health journey, book a free 15-minute enquiry call to chat with a kidney specialist dietitian to see how 1:1 support can help you.
