Updated 2/23/2021 I have been researching Phosphorus since I was diagnosed with CKD in 2017. Phosphorus levels in foods are not required on food labels and are very often difficult to know which foods it is high or low. Below I will give some tips, and the source so you can read the whole article, on ways to keep phosphorus levels under control. I recently found a great app called Nutrition Facts. It has the phosphorus levels for a lot of foods. It is super easy to use, too.
If you are on Dialysis your nutrition requirements will be much different than someone who is stage 3, like me, or non-dialysis. Always consult your doctor about food choices or changes you are making.
1- I have mentioned this before, but it is worth mentioning again, learn to read labels. Any words with the word PHOS in the ingredients list, means there are levels of phosphorus in that food. Try to avoid or limit these as much as possible.
2- This kind of goes with number 1, but I put it separately to draw more attention to it. Processed foods, that means foods that can stay on the shelf for very long periods of time, low-fat foods, and other quick easy type meals not only have the highest levels of phosphorus but this kind of phosphorus additive is nearly 100% absorbed by the body. I love quick and easy too, but avoiding these foods as much as possible I think should be the goal of all who want to live healthier, not just CKD people.
3- I actually just learned about this. Boiling meat, and other food items, decreases the phosphorus content by up to 38% for meats. It also reduces potassium, sodium, and calcium. I just started doing this. I do not have issues with my phosphorus levels at this time. But, I am postmenopausal and I worry about my bone health, as well as maintaining kidney function. So, it is imperative for me to keep phosphorus levels in check. I simply boil for about 10 minutes then bake, or fry on the stove to finish the meat. I am looking into whether pressure cooking and crockpot cooking of meat has the same effect as long as you do not consume the juices it is cooked in. I will post more about that later.
4- Remember that whole grains, which are obviously less processed than white bread are higher in phosphorus, but they can still be better for you if you don’t have issues with phosphorus. I use multigrain bread and brown rice, but I consume them in lower amounts than the suggested serving size. So, instead of 2 slices of bread for a sandwich, I only have one slice. I basically half the serving size. Nuts, seeds, and legumes are also higher in phosphorus. See the phosphorus pyramid below. You can read the source I used here.
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