Last updated: August 12, 2026
Cranberries are the perfect fruit for low potassium kidney diets because they are very low in potassium. A cup of cranberry juice cocktail contains about 35 mg potassium. A cup of fresh cranberries provides about 80 mg potassium, 12 mg phosphorus, 0 mg sodium, 0 g protein 12 g carbohydrate and 50 calories. A 1/4 cup of dried cranberries is about 15 mg of potassium, 25 gram of carbohydrate and 93 calories.
How to Use
A kidney-friendly nutrition profile is not the only reason to eat cranberries.
For a low sodium diet, cranberries in the form of sauce, salsa or dried sweetened berries add a punch of flavor to compliment many meat and salad dishes. Cranberry juice cocktail and cranberry juice combinations are tasty and readily available. For people on dialysis who are also diabetic, low calorie or no sugar cranberry juice products are a great choice. Look for fresh whole cranberries in the Fall and buy extra to freeze and use later for up to 9 months. Use fresh, frozen or dried cranberries in muffins, pancakes, stuffing, biscotti, pie and other desserts. Here are some recipe ideas:
Apple Cranberry Slaw with Celery Seed Dressing
Cranberry Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Healthy Choice
Cranberries have several health benefits. For those who still urinate, substances in cranberries inhibit bacteria from clinging to the bladder walls. This may help prevent bladder infections. Cranberries contain polyphenol antioxidants and anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants associated with potential health benefits to prevent cancer, inflammation, infections and age-related diseases.
Reference:
Nemzer BV, Al-Taher F, Yashin A, Revelsky I, Yashin Y. Cranberry: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity and Impact on Human Health: Overview. Molecules. 2022 Feb 23;27(5):1503. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8911768/. Accessed August 12, 2026.
