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Healthy Tips at a Glance

 

Dietary needs may vary based on severity and type of kidney disease.

Please discuss with your provider whether you should restrict or add the nutrients below to your diet.

 

How can I control my phosphorus level?

You can keep your phosphorus level normal by understanding both your diet and medications. Phosphorus can be found naturally in various foods (organic phosphorus). It should be noted that Phosphorus found in animal foods is absorbed more easily than phosphorus found in plant foods.

Phosphorus that has been added to food in the form of an additive or preservative (inorganic phosphorus) is found in most processed foods. Avoiding phosphorus additives can lower your intake of phosphorus. Phosphorus additives are found on the list of ingredients on the nutrition facts label under “PHOS”.

Phosphorus additives found in foods include:
  • Dicalcium phosphate
  • Disodium phosphate
  • Monosodium phosphate
  • Phosphoric acid
  • Sodium hexameta-phosphate
  • Trisodium phosphate
  • Sodium tripolyphosphate
  • Tetrasodium pyrophosphate

Your kidney dietitian and physician will help you with this. Here is a list of foods high in phosphorous and lower phosphorus alternatives:

High Phosphorus Food to Limit / Avoid

Beverages

beer/ale
cocoa
drinks made with milk
canned iced teas
bottled beverages with phosphate additives

chocolate drinks
dark colas
pepper type soda (Dr Pepper)

Lower phosphorus alternatives:
water, coffee, tea, rice milk (unenriched), apple juice, cranberry juice, grape juice, lemonade, ginger ale, lemon lime soda, orange soda, root beer

Dairy Products

cheese
custard
milk
cream soups

ice cream
pudding
yogurt (Greek type acceptable)

Lower phosphorus alternatives:
rice milk, almond milk, cottage cheese, vegan cheese, sherbet, popsicles

Protein

oysters
beef liver
fish roe

sardines
chicken liver
organ meats

Lower phosphorus alternatives:
chicken, turkey, fish, beef, veal, eggs, lamb, pork

Other foods

chocolate candy
caramels
oat bran muffin

most processed/prepared foods/deli meats/hot dogs/bacon/sausage
pizza
brewer’s yeast
chocolate
caramel candies

Lower phosphorus alternatives:
apples, berries, grapes, carrot sticks, cucumber, rice cakes, unsalted pretzels, unsalted popcorn, unsalted crackers, pound cake, sugar cookies

 

 

 

 

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