Phosphorus is the second-most abundant mineral in the body, next to calcium. It is absorbed through the small intestine and stored in bone. Phosphorus works with calcium to form bones and teeth. The kidneys help keep phosphorus and calcium balanced in the blood and remove any excess phosphorus from the body through urine. When the kidneys do not function properly, for example, with kidney disease, phosphorus builds up in the blood, known as hyperphosphatemia. This imbalance causes calcium to be taken from bones, leading to further complications, such as bone disease and hardening of tissues in the heart, arteries and lungs.
A diet low in phosphorus can help prevent hyperphosphatemia and its complications. Most foods contain phosphorus, but food labels often do not list the amount of phosphorus in the food, so it's important to know which foods are safe. Talk to your doctor about how much phosphorus is appropriate.
Meat, Poultry and Fish
In general, the more protein a food has, the more phosphorus it contains. Choose fresh beef, chicken and poultry containing about 137 to 165mg of phosphorus. Processed meats, such as hot dogs and sausages, organ meats and sardines contain the highest levels of phosphorus, with more than 200mg in a serving. It is also important to stick with the recommended 3 oz. serving size at each meal.
Dairy Products
Most dairy products contain high amounts of phosphorus. Instead of traditional dairy, choose 1 cup soy milk or nondairy creamer, each containing about 130mg phosphorus. You can also have 1 oz. cream cheese or 1/2 cup cottage cheese, having 30mg and 76mg phosphorus, respectively. These low-phosphorus items are better alternatives to 1 cup of milk, which has 236mg phosphorus or 1 oz. hard cheese, which has 150mg phosphorus.
Legumes
Beans are high in phosphorus because they are a source of protein. Choose green beans and wax beans over dried beans and peas. Green beans contain 19mg phosphorus compared to dried beans and peas containing 140mg phosphorus. Stick with a 1/2 cup of these beans so you don't exceed your daily limits.
Grains, Cereals and Nuts
A low-phosphorus diet calls for refined grains, including white breads, crackers, cereals and pastas. The phosphorus content of one slice white bread is 27mg and 1/2 cup white rice has 37mg. This is a lower-phosphorous alternative to one slice whole wheat bread at 66mg phosphorus and 1/2 cup brown rice with 81mg. For a snack, choose unsalted popcorn or pretzels rather than any kind of nut, most of which contain more than 300mg phosphorus.
Other Foods and Beverages
For an occasional sweet tooth, choose 1 oz. jelly beans, hard candy or gum drops containing only 1mg phosphorus, compared to 1 oz. chocolate at 200mg phosphorus. Also, drink lemon-lime soda, ginger ale or root beer containing 0mg phosphorus rather than chocolate drinks, beer and dark sodas.
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