Phosphorus is a mineral found in many foods. 

Why do I need to be aware of it in my diet?

Your kidneys have the job of flushing out any of the phosphorus that your body does not need.  When kidneys are not working as they should, phosphorus will build up in your blood.  When this happens it can lead to an imbalance between calcium and phosphorus levels.  This imbalance can cause weakening of the bones.  For good bone health, it is important to keep phosphorus blood levels within the normal range.

Medications called “Phosphorus Binders” can be prescribed to help keep the phosphorus levels in your blood within normal range.  To make these binders work they need to be taken with meals.

You cannot totally eliminate phosphorus from your diet, but you can limit your intake of high phosphorus foods.  Your dietitian will recommend the amount of phosphorus you can safely eat throughout the day. The foods you eat are very important in controlling your blood phosphorus levels.

The following foods are rich in phosphorus. 

Meats and Protein Foods

Organ meat such as liver, liver sausage, liverwurst, sardines, summer sausage and bratwurst.

Milk and Dairy Products

White and chocolate milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, custard, pudding, cream soup, cheese and milk casseroles, some brands of soy milk and eggnog.

Beans

Navy, kidney, pinto, lima, soybeans, lentils and black-eyed peas and hummus.

Grains

Bran, bran products,and wheat germ,. 

*Whole grain products will have a little more phosphorus than white or refined grain products. However, whole grains provide many additional health benefits.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts (including soybean nuts), peanut butter, sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds.

AVOID brown sodas (like colas), chocolate, caramel, molasses and beer.

Foods that are lower in phosphorus, and may be substituted in your diet include:

Meats and Protein Foods

Fresh beef, pork, veal, chicken, turkey and fish.

Dairy Products

Eggs, (one per day), cottage cheese, Neufchatel, or Brie cheese.

Beans

Green snap beans.

Grains

Pasta, crackers, buns and English muffin (made with white flour), rice cakes, white bread, white rice, white or yellow cakes, corn and rice cereals (Corn Chex®, Corn Flakes®, Corn Pops®, Crispix®, Rice Krispies®, Trix®, Puffed Wheat®, Apple Jacks®, Fruit Loops®), hominy and Cream of Rice®.

Miscellaneous

Vanilla cookies, animal crackers, jelly beans, popcorn, fruit roll-ups, hard candy, mints, licorice, sherbet, popsicles, fruit ices.

Root beer, ginger ale, Sprite®, Slice®, 7-up®, club soda.

Most fruits and vegetables are low in phosphorus.

Non-dairy Frozen Dessert topping.

Some signs of high blood phosphorus levels include: