Phosphorus
As our kidney functioning declines, our kidneys can no longer clear phosphorus from the body. Serum phosphorus rises. At this junction, many are advised to restrict phosphorus rich foods.
Phytic acid is the major storage form of phosphorous in cereals, legumes, oil seeds and nuts. Soak beans to reduce the phytic acid. Soak the beans for three days and pour them into a sieve then rinse under running water from the spigot. Put the beans back into the jar for the next day. If you can soak the beans for three days or beyond until they get little tails this is even better. A recent study found that boiling meat in water also diminished its phosphorus content without affecting the protein content. The impact of cooking methods reduces serum phosphorus.
Low Phosphorus Foods
Apples, basil, berries, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, garlic, gelatin, grapes, green beans, haricot vert, lettuce, melon, onion, parsley, peach, plum, radish, rice-milk, summer squash are all low phosphorus foods.
High Phosphorus Foods
DAIRY: milk, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, ice cream, pudding, custard, cream soups, cream, casseroles with cheese, cream pies, milkshakes, malted, cream cheese, buttermilk, butter
MEATS: all fish: sardines, tuna, lobster, oysters, liver, egg yolk, poultry, pork, lamb, veal, beef, flounder, beef liver, salmon, scallops
NUTS: almonds, cashews, coconut, pecans, walnuts, peanuts, peanut butter, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds
GRAINS: bran flakes, bran muffins, oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat breads, wheat germ, raisin bran, barley, pumpernickel, dark rye bread, granola cerealsr
BEANS: dried beans, navy beans, kidney beans, lima beans, pinto beans, black eyed peas, lentils, soybeans, baked beans, split peas, dhal
VEGETABLES: artichoke hearts, asparagus, corn, mushrooms, mustard greens, green peas
OTHER: carbonated colas, chocolate, cocoa, caramel, molasses, dried fruit, raisins, dates, pizza
Table of Foods High in Phosphorus
| milk | 8 ounces | 278 mg |
| plain yogurt | 8 ounces | 270 mg |
| fruit yogurt | 8 ounces | 325 mg |
| cream | 8 ounces | 412 mg |
| evaporated milk | 8 ounces | 516 mg |
| ice cream | 8 ounces | 153 mg |
| kidney beans cooked | 1 cup | 278 mg |
| lentils cooked | 1 cup | 238 mg |
| blackeye peas cooked | 1 cup | 286 mg |
| soybeans cooked | 1 cup | 322 mg |
| tofu | 3 1/2 ounces | 126 mg |
| peanuts | 3 1/2 ounces | 466 mg |
| peanut butter | 2 tablespoons | 118 mg |
| pumpkin seeds | 3 1/2 ounces | 1144 mg |
| chocolate | 2 ounces | 1200 mg |
| cheese American | 4 ounces | 1200 mg |
| cheese swiss | 4 ounces | 800 mg |
| cheese cheddar | 4 ounces | 545 mg |
| cheese muenster | 4 ounces | 532 mg |
| cheese mozzarella | 4 ounces | 420 mg |
| cheese brie | 4 ounces | 212 mg |
| cheese cream | 4 ounces | 120 mg |
| cottage cheese | 4 ounces | 150 mg |
| egg | 1 large | 100 mg |
| sardines | 3 1/2 ounces | 434 mg |
| salmon canned | 3 1/2 ounces | 344 mg |
| fish cooked | 4 ounces | 400 mg |
| tuna fish | 3 1/2 ounces | 250 mg |
| herring | 3 1/2 ounces | 297 mg |
| lobster raw | 3 1/2 ounces | 183 mg |
| shrimp raw | 3 1/2 ounces | 166 mg |
| clams soft raw | 3 1/2 ounces | 183 mg |
| crab steamed | 3 1/2 ounces | 175 mg |
| hamburger | 3 1/2 ounces | 186 mg |
| steak sirloin | 4 ounces | 282 mg |
| chicken | 3 1/2 ounces | 190 mg |
| turkey | 3 1/2 ounces | 200 mg |
| lamb | 3 1/2 ounces | 200 mg |
| veal cutlet | 3 1/2 ounces | 288 mg |
| pork | 3 1/2 ounces | 301 mg |
Low Phosphorus Foods
Certain brands of rice milk (check arsenic)
Soda-lemon-lime, grape, cream soda, root beer, homemade lemonade, hot apple cider, cranberry juice
Gelatin, Popsicles, sherbet, Sorbet no concentrated sugars
Jellybeans, fondant, gumdrops, hard candy sweetened with fruit
Unsalted popcorn
Sugar cookies, shortbread cookies, vanilla wafers, lemon cake, white or yellow cake, angel food cake made with tupelo honey spelt
All fruit jam and jelly, tupelo honey
Corn or rice cereals (check arsenic)
Cream of rice (check arsenic), grits
White spelt bread no yeast
White rice (check arsenic), spelt pasta
Fruits such as apples, berries, grapes, pineapple, canned pears, peaches, fruit cocktail (without sugar)
Vegetables such as green beans, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, summer squash, cucumber, lettuce, onion, radish
My doctor has told me to cut back on Phosphorus. What do I avoid?
Ask to see a renal dietitian. Take a look at this book recommended by Barb Food Values of Portions Commonly Used by Bowes and Church. You can calculate portions contained in this book. Foods that are high in phosphorus are also acid producing. Phosphorus is an anion, a negative ion. Dairy contains large amounts of phosphorus and is very acid forming. I find dairy to be a heavy solute which makes me incredibly thirsty. Milk must contain a large amount of sodium or something which pulls water with it. I find it very dehydrating. If you are longing for a glass of milk, try cucumber juiced, chill thoroughly. To my taste buds it resembles the taste of milk. Phosphorus is limited in the diet as the kidneys begin to fail. The kidneys can no longer rid the body of adequate phosphorus. To aid the intestines to help eliminate phosphorus, phosphorus binders are prescribed. Your diet maybe limited to about 1000-1200 mg of phosphorus per day. I tended to overestimate size in my favor until I got an inexpensive postage meter that measures ounces.
Nuts contain high levels of phosphorus including almonds, cashews, walnuts, peanuts, and pistachios. ... BUT if you are a vegetarian relying on nuts, lentils and beans for protein and you are at risk of kidney disease you may want to have your eGFR, creatine and phosphorus levels checked.