Disclaimer:This article isfor informational purposes only andisnot intended to be a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis from a physician.
Phosphorus, a mineral, may be in many foods you consume. Research shows that even in early kidney disease,limiting phosphoruscan changekidney disease progression, as well as make a difference in mineral and bone disordersand cardiovascular health. When you have kidney disease, it's important to keep levels under control and stay within a daily intake of 800 and 1,200 mg. Work with a renal dietitian to help you manage your phosphorus intake based on your needs.
To help guide you in knowing which foods are low in phosphorus, here are 7 lists of low-phosphorus food choices for akidney diet.
1. Low-phosphorus meat and poultry choices
Fresh or frozen red meats without breading, marinades or sauce are better choices for a kidney diet. On average, fresh meat contains 65 mg of phosphorus per ounce and 7 grams of protein per ounce.
Phosphorus content for a 3-ounce portion, cooked:
| Meat or Poultry | Phosphorus Content |
| Beef, pot roast | 155 mg |
| Beef, sirloin steak | 195 mg |
| Chicken breast,skinless | 190 mg |
| Chicken thigh,skinless | 150 mg |
| Hamburger patty, 90 percent lean | 170 mg |
| Lamb chop | 185 mg |
| Pork chop | 200 mg |
| Pork roast | 190 mg |
| Turkey breast meat, skinless | 185 mg |
| Turkey thigh meat, skinless | 170 mg |
| Veal chop | 200 mg |
2. Low-phosphorusseafood choices
Seafood is an excellent source of low-fat, high-quality protein.
Phosphorus content for a 3-ounce portion, cooked:
| Seafood | Phosphorus Content |
| Mahi Mahi | 155 mg |
| Salmon, Atlantic farmed | 215 mg |
| Yellowfin tuna | 210mg |
| Sea bass | 210mg |
| Tuna, canned | 130 mg |
| Rockfish | 195 mg |
| King crab | 192mg |
| Lobster | 160 mg |
| Oysters, Eastern | 120 mg |
| Shrimp | 120 mg |
| Snow crab | 120mg |
3. Low-phosphorus bread choices
Bread is a good source of carbohydratesand caloriesneeded for energyproduction. Although whole grain bread is a healthy source of fiber, it also has more phosphorus and potassiumthan white flour bread.
Phosphorus content for a 1-ounce portion unless stated otherwise:
| Bread | Phosphorus Content |
| Bagel: cinnamon raisin, blueberry, plain, onion | 53-70 mg |
| Corn tortilla, 6-inch | 75 mg |
| English muffin | 52-76 mg |
| Flat bread | 48 mg |
| Flour tortillas, made without baking powder | 20-37 mg |
| French or Italian bread or rolls | 28-29 mg |
| Light wheat bread | 38 mg |
| Pita bread, white | 58 mg |
| Sourdough bread | 30 mg |
| White bread | 25 mg |
4. Low-phosphorus pasta and rice choices
Pasta, rice and other grains are excellent sources of carbohydrates, calories and B vitamins, plus zinc, copper and iron. For a kidney diet, whole grains such as brown rice, oat bran and wild rice are limited due to the higher phosphorus content.
Phosphorus content for a 1/2 cup portion, cooked:
| Pasta or Rice | Phosphorus Content |
| Couscous | 20 mg |
| Egg noodles | 50-60 mg |
| Macaroni | 40 mg |
| Pearled barley | 43 mg |
| Plain white rice, short, medium or long grain | 35 mg |
| Rice noodles | 14-28 mg |
| Spaghetti | 42 mg |
5. Low-phosphorus dairy, dairy substitutes and egg whites
Milk and milk productsare high in calcium and phosphorus. A half cup of milk (4 ounces) contains 111-138 mg of phosphorus. Some liquid dairy substitutes can be used in cooking to replace milk. Read ingredient lists to look for phosphate additives, such as calcium-phosphate. Eggs are a great protein source but also contain 95 mg phosphorus in a large egg. Remove the yolk and phosphorus is only 5 mg for each egg white.
Phosphorus content for a 1/2 cup portion, unless stated otherwise:
| Dairy, Dairy Substitutes and Egg Whites | Phosphorus Content |
| Almond milk, Almond Breeze®, original | 50 mg |
| Nondairy creamer without phosphate additives | 40-53 mg |
| Nondairy whipped topping, 2 tablespoons | 0-10 mg |
| Sherbet | 38 mg |
| Sour cream, 2 tablespoons | 20-40 mg |
| Soy milk | 50-125 mg |
| Unenriched rice milk without calcium-phosphate | 29 mg |
| Egg whites, pasteurized | 15 mg |
6. Low-phosphorus snacks
| Snack Food (Plus Serving Size) | Phosphorus Content |
| Apple, 1 medium | 10 mg |
| Applesauce, 1/2 cup | 6 mg |
| Baby carrots, 9 pieces | 25 mg |
| Blueberries, 1/2 cup | 9 mg |
| Celery, 1 stalk | 10 mg |
| Cherries, 1/2 cup | 15 mg |
| Fig bar, 2 bars | 10-25 mg |
| Fruit candies: hard, chews or gummy | 0 mg |
| Fruit co*cktail, 1/2 cup | 17 mg |
| Low-sodium crackers, 1 ounce | 20-35 mg |
| Peach, 1 medium | 10 mg |
| Pineapple, fresh, 1/2 cup | 6 mg |
| Radishes, 1 | 9 mg |
| Strawberries, fresh, 1/2 cup | 18 mg |
| Unsalted popcorn, 1 cup | 8 mg |
| Unsalted pretzels, 1 ounce | 20-40 mg |
7. Lower phosphorus cheese choices
All cheese contains phosphorus with most having 120-250 mg per ounce; some contain more than 300 mg per ounce. The suggested portion for a dialysis dietis usually one ounce of cheese, one to two times a week if phosphorus is controlled. Check with your dietitianfor individual recommendations.
Low-phosphorus cheese choices:
| Cheese | Phosphorus Content |
| Blue cheese, 1 ounce | 110 mg |
| Cottage cheese, 1/4 cup | 92 mg |
| Cream cheese, 2 tablespoons | 20-40 mg |
| Feta cheese, 1 ounce | 96 mg |
| Neufchatel cheese, 1 ounce | 39 mg |
| Parmesan cheese, grated, 2 tablespoons | 72 mg |
