Low-Phosphorus Renal Diet

The kidneys perform many important functions including regulating levels of phosphorus and other minerals you get from your diet. If you have kidney disease, they can no longer manage this task with the same efficiency, which can lead to a variety of problems. Because of this, reducing your intake of certain foods becomes a primary component of a renal diet. You need phosphorus in your diet and the goal becomes limiting you intake of the richest sources to prevent excess levels from building up in the body.

Necessity of Professional Guidance

The exact nature of your renal diet depends on several individual factors including the stage of your disease and the presence of other health conditions such as diabetes. For this reason, you should work with a registered dietitian who has experience planning renal diets so you can create an eating plan tailored to your unique needs that provides adequate nutrition. For example, certain low-phosphorus foods, like refined grains, could prove problematic if you have diabetes; you might not be able to consume them as frequently as someone without this condition.

Phosphorus and Renal Disease

Phosphorus plays a role in normal nerve and muscle function. It also works with calcium to promote healthy bones and teeth. Diseased kidneys cannot maintain the proper ratio of calcium to phosphorus. As excess phosphorus builds up, the body experiences difficulty absorbing enough calcium. To establish balance, it draws calcium from the bones. Over the long term, this can weaken the bones, leading to an increased risk of fracture. The American Association of Kidney Patients explains that excess calcium/phosphorus mineral complexes deposit themselves into the blood vessels and other parts of the body, increasing the risk for heart and blood vessel diseases. Physical symptoms of excess phosphorus intake include itchy skin, and bone and joint pain.

Daily Intake

Consult with your dietitian for the amount of phosphorus you can safely eat. Generally, kidney patients need to stay between 800 mg and 1,000 mg daily, notes MayoClinic.com. Manufacturers do not have to list phosphorus content on their product labels but some might, so you should look to see if this information is available. It can also be difficult to know how much phosphorus you are obtaining from natural foods as well, making it challenging to know exactly how much you are consuming on a daily basis. This underscores the importance of professional guidance in formulating a diet -- registered dietitians can provide some guidelines that can help keep you in this safe zone.

Phosphorus-Rich Foods

Rich sources of phosphorus include meat, dairy, whole grains, soft drinks, cheese, beer, sardines, most types of beans, nuts and seeds, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, organ meats, chocolate, sweet potato, pumpkin, pancakes, waffles and corn. The American Association of Kidney Patients also notes that a review of fast food restaurants found that almost 85 percent of the menu items contained added phosphorus. Read food labels to look for added phosphorus -- examples include anything with "phos" somewhere in the name such as phosphoric acid or tricalcium phosphate.

Low-Phosphorus Foods

A low-phosphorus diet does not mean a severely restricted diet devoid of any variety. You still have many options available. Some low-phosphorus foods include rice milk, cream cheese, cottage cheese, broth or water-based soups, refined grains, green beans, potatoes, winter squash, carrots, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, most types of meat, butter mayonnaise and ginger ale. This does not constitute an exhaustive list of acceptable foods.