Let’s take a look at low phosphorus foods. Some kidney disease and cancer patients need to limit the amount of phosphorus in their diet. But who has ever even thought about phosphorus existing in food? I mean, I think, research, and write about food all the time and I never thought much about it until recently.
Phosphorus is a mineral that naturally exists in some foods and is added to others. If your kidneys do not work properly, it can build up in your blood unless you limit consumption. With some cancer treatment, cancer cells may release an unusual amount of phosphorus into your system so reducing the amount of dietary phosphorus is helpful.
How can I reduce phosphorus?
A great way to begin is to eliminate processed/prepackaged meat including deli meats (even turkey & chicken), chicken nuggets, Italian sausage, breakfast sausage, bacon, bologna, ham, pepperoni, salami, Canadian bacon, prosciutto, hot dogs, and any canned meat (including tuna).
Next, eliminate fast food. Many of their products are processed in some manner or have phosphates added.
Avoid cheese products that come in block form as well as canned or jarred processed cheese spreads and American cheese. A little Swiss, cheddar, or mozzarella is okay. Regular or low-fat cream cheese and sour cream are okay, but the fat-free versions are not.
Choose plain water or steeped tea, brewed coffee, and almond or rice milk (unenriched) instead of beer, cocoa, carbonated colas, flavored water, milk, milkshakes, protein shakes, canned tea, sports drinks, energy drinks, or wine. Ginger ale, root beer, and homemade lemonade are acceptable.
Soy milk, yogurt, pudding, nondairy creamers and enriched milks should be avoided.
Substitute sherbet, sorbet, and frozen fruit pops for ice cream and frozen yogurt.
Avoid, and this one is hard for me, chocolate and caramel.
Dinner rolls, bread, bagels, and English muffins are okay. If you’re gluten free, you’ll need to read the label. Do not consume anything that contains calcium phosphate, disodium phosphate, phosphoric acid, monopotassium phosphate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, or sodium tripolyphosphate.
Eliminate other processed foods like pizza, snack cakes, toaster pastries, frozen waffles or pancakes, canned biscuits, and breaded fish sticks. Meal mixes are also problematic.
If you eliminate most of the packaged/processed food you regularly eat (including plant-based), you may need to go no further. Just make sure that the fresh or frozen meat you buy has not been injected with a solution containing phosphorus.
If you need to further reduce phosphorus, you can choose white rice rather than brown rice, eliminate rice bran and oat bran, and only eat oats if they are cooked and consider limiting yellowfin & bluefin tuna, Coho and Sockeye Salmon, pork chops, pork tenderloin, and ground pork, ground turkey, and catfish.
Not all kidney patients will need to limit phosphorus, especially those on dialysis. Be sure to check with your doctor or the nutritionist they work with to make sure you are choosing the best amount for your circumstances.
As I’ve learned more about low phosphorus foods, I’ve been struck by the similarities in low phosphorus and low histamine diets. Both require more time in the kitchen. Most of us don’t have time to spare so finding a way to combine cooking with time for family connection, or listening to a podcast or audio novel can make it feel like less of a burden.
A low phosphorus diet will include less processed food and more fresh food making it healthier for the entire family whether or not someone has cancer or kidney disease.
Healthier for all is something we can get behind.