Foods Low in Phosphorus for People with Kidney Disease

Written by Daisy Whitbread, MScN

Phosphorus is an essential mineral that makes up around 1% of a person's body weight, most of which is in bones and teeth.

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) typically have to restrict and monitor their intake of phosphorus. Most refined oils, fruits, vegetables, and refined grains are low in phosphorus. People should avoid eating meats which typically contain more easily absorbed phosphorus than found in plants. Since meats are restricted in a CKD diet, egg whites can be a good low-phosphorus source of protein. Soymilk may also work.

The National Kidney Foundation cautions people with CKD to avoid preservatives and additives which use phosphorus. Phosphorus is added to a lot of foods, check ingredient labels for anything with the letters PHOS that includes:

• Dicalcium phosphate
• Disodium phosphate
• Monosodium phosphate
• Phosphoric acid
• Sodium hexameta-phosphate
• Trisodium phosphate
• Sodium tripolyphosphate
• Tetrasodium pyrophosphate

The list below is a sample of foods low in phosphorus that are also low in other minerals (sodium, potassium, etc...) typically restricted on a CKD diet.

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#1: Refined Oils (Flaxseed Oils)
0.1mg (0% DV) in 1 tbsp (14g)
1mg (0% DV) in 100g

1 tbsp of flaxseed oil contains 0mg of sodium, 0mg potassium, 0mg magnesium, and 0.1mg calcium.
Complete nutrition facts.
Ranking of phosphorus in fats and oils.

#2: Leeks (Boiled and Drained)
4.4mg (1% DV) in a 1/4 cup chopped (26g)
17mg (2% DV) in 100g

1/4 cup of chopped leeks contains 2.6mg of sodium, 22.6mg potassium, 3.6mg magnesium, and 7.8mg calcium.
Complete nutrition facts.
Ranking of phosphorus in vegetables.

#3: Egg Whites
5mg (1% DV) in 1 large (33g)
15mg (2% DV) in 100g

1 egg white contains 54.8mg of sodium, 53.8mg potassium, 3.6mg magnesium, and 2.3mg calcium.
Complete nutrition facts.
Ranking of phosphorus in dairy and eggs.

#4: Grapefruit
10.2mg (1% DV) in 1/2 medium (approx 4" dia) (128g)
8mg (1% DV) in 100g

1/2 a medium grapefruit contains 0mg of sodium, 177.9mg potassium, 10.2mg magnesium, and 15.4mg calcium.
Complete nutrition facts.
Ranking of phosphorus in fruits.

#5: Lettuce
10.4mg (1% DV) in 1 cup shredded (36g)
29mg (3% DV) in 100g

1 cup of shredded lettuce contains 10.1mg of sodium, 69.8mg potassium, 4.7mg magnesium, and 13mg calcium.
Complete nutrition facts.
Ranking of phosphorus in vegetables.

#6: Blueberries
17.8mg (1% DV) in 1 cup (148g)
12mg (1% DV) in 100g

1 cup of blueberries contains 1.5mg of sodium, 114mg potassium, 8.9mg magnesium, and 8.9mg calcium.
Complete nutrition facts.
Ranking of phosphorus in fruits.

#7: Shiitake Mushrooms
42.1mg (4% DV) in 1 cup pieces (145g)
29mg (3% DV) in 100g

1 cup pieces of shiitake mushrooms contains 5.8mg of sodium, 169.7mg potassium, 20.3mg magnesium, and 4.4mg calcium.
Complete nutrition facts.
Ranking of phosphorus in vegetables.

#8: White Rice
68.8mg (7% DV) in 1 cup (186g)
37mg (4% DV) in 100g

1 cup of white rice contains 0mg of sodium, 53.9mg potassium, 24.2mg magnesium, and 5.6mg calcium.
Complete nutrition facts.
Ranking of phosphorus in grains and pasta.

#9: Pasta
71.9mg (7% DV) in 1 cup spaghetti not packed (124g)
58mg (6% DV) in 100g

1 cup of pasta contains 1.2mg of sodium, 54.6mg potassium, 22.3mg magnesium, and 8.7mg calcium.
Complete nutrition facts.
Ranking of phosphorus in grains and pasta.

#10: Soymilk (Unsweetened, Calcium Fortified)
77.8mg (7% DV) in 1 cup (243g)
32mg (3% DV) in 100g

1 cup of soymilk contains 89.9mg of sodium, 291.6mg potassium, 38.9mg magnesium, and 301.3mg calcium.
Complete nutrition facts.
Ranking of low phosphorus beans and legumes.