Cooked green lentils and your kidneys
Potassium, phosphorus, protein and salt in cooked green lentils, per 100 grams and per portion, and what it means when you have kidney disease. The figures come from the Norwegian food composition table.
Are cooked green lentils good for your kidneys?
For most people, yes. 262 mg of potassium per 100 grams is a medium amount. Per portion (215 grams) you get around 560 mg of potassium and 250 mg of phosphorus. If you need to limit potassium, you will find foods with less potassium further down.
Per 100 grams
- Potassium
- 262 mgMedium potassium
- Phosphorus
- 114 mg
- Protein
- 7.8 g
- Salt
- 0.5 gMedium salt
Per portion
| Portion | Potassium (mg) | Phosphorus (mg) | Protein (g) | Salt (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portion (215 g) | 560 | 250 | 16.8 | 1.1 |
How much potassium is in cooked green lentils?
Cooked green lentils: 262 mg of potassium per 100 grams, which is medium by Metodebok's grouping: under 150 mg per 100 grams is low, 150 to 300 mg medium, and over 300 mg high. What you eat is the portion, so see the numbers per portion above.
How much phosphorus is in cooked green lentils?
Cooked green lentils: 114 mg of phosphorus per 100 grams. Phosphorus from plants is absorbed less than phosphorus from meat, milk and additives. Phosphate added to processed food (E338 to E341, E450 to E452) is absorbed almost completely and is not in the table, so check the ingredient list.
What does this mean for you?
How much potassium, phosphorus and protein you should eat depends on your blood tests, your stage and whether you are on dialysis. Many people with kidney disease do not need to limit potassium at all. Do not cut out fruit and vegetables unless your doctor or a clinical dietitian has asked you to.
Salt applies to everyone with kidney disease: under 5 grams a day helps blood pressure and the kidneys.
Compared with other beans, lentils, nuts and seeds
All figures per 100 grams. Tap a food to see it.
Beans, lentils, nuts and seeds (10)
| Food | Potassium (mg) | Phosphorus (mg) | Protein (g) | Salt (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked green lentils | 262, medium potassium | 114 | 7.8 | 0.5 |
| Chickpeas | 155, medium potassium | 90 | 6.2 | 0.4 |
| Kidney beans | 255, medium potassium | 97 | 6.1 | 0.4 |
| Red lentils | 870, high potassium | 353 | 22.5 | 0 |
| Hummus | 168, medium potassium | 99 | 5.6 | 0.3 |
| Peanuts | 705, high potassium | 376 | 25.8 | 0 |
| Peanut butter | 700, high potassium | 330 | 22.8 | 0.9 |
| Cashew nuts | 660, high potassium | 593 | 18.2 | 0 |
| Walnuts | 380, high potassium | 310 | 14.1 | 0 |
| Sunflower seeds | 755, high potassium | 670 | 24.2 | 0 |
Source: the Norwegian Food Composition Table 2026 (Matvaretabellen), from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the Directorate of Health and the University of Oslo. The potassium levels follow Metodebok. Salt is calculated from sodium (1 gram of sodium is 2.5 grams of salt).
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