Salad-leaf league table
Per 100 g raw:
- Iceberg — 140 mg K, 20 mg P ✅
- Butterhead (Little Gem) — 240 mg K, 25 mg P ✅
- Romaine (Cos) — 250 mg K, 30 mg P ✅
- Mixed leaves — 280 mg K (varies)
- Rocket — 370 mg K
- Watercress — 330 mg K
- Baby spinach — 560 mg K ⚠️
A typical 'salad portion' is 30–60 g — divide accordingly.
Building a renal-friendly salad
Base: iceberg or butterhead (60 g). Vegetables: cucumber, peppers, grated carrot, sliced radish (all low-K). Protein (small): tinned tuna in spring water (drained), boiled egg, grilled chicken (50–60 g). Flavour: olive oil, lemon juice, fresh herbs, black pepper, a little garlic. Avoid: croutons (salt), bacon bits (salt + phosphate), shop dressing (salt + sugar), feta/parmesan (phosphate + salt).
Food first. If you are choosing a daily multivitamin alongside a balanced diet, Kidney Vitality was developed by a UK Consultant Nephrologist using renal nutrition principles. See the formulation.
Portion by CKD stage
- Stage 1–4: 60–100 g leaves per portion, daily.
- Stage 5 / dialysis: 50–80 g iceberg/butterhead per portion.
- Avoid raw spinach as the salad base in late CKD.
Practical CKD-friendly dressing recipes
Classic vinaigrette: 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice or white wine vinegar, 1 small clove garlic crushed, pinch of pepper, fresh herbs. Lasts a week in the fridge.
Herb yoghurt dressing: 2 tbsp plain Greek yoghurt, 1 tsp olive oil, lemon juice, chopped dill or chives. Mind yoghurt phosphate — see our yoghurt guide.
Avoid: ranch, blue cheese, Caesar (anchovy/parmesan salt).
