Processed Foods and Phosphorus Content

These usually contain phosphate additives (look for “phos-” on labels). Absorption is nearly 100%.

Processed meats: deli meats, hot dogs, bacon, sausages, chicken nuggets, lunch meats.
Cheese products: processed cheese slices, cheese spreads, powdered cheese flavoring.
Baked goods with additives: packaged muffins, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, frozen pizza dough.
Colas & dark sodas: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, root beer (contain phosphoric acid).
Convenience meals: frozen dinners, boxed macaroni and cheese, instant noodles with seasoning packets.
Chocolate & cocoa drinks: chocolate milk, hot cocoa mixes.
Canned fish with bones: sardines, salmon with bones, anchovies.
Protein powders & fortified shakes with phosphate salts.

Contain natural phosphorus or small amounts of additives; absorption varies.

Bread & baked goods: whole wheat bread, bran muffins, oatmeal cookies.
Soy products: plain tofu, soy milk (check labels for fortification), edamame snacks.
Snack foods: granola bars, nut-based snack bars, roasted chickpeas.
Plant-based meat substitutes: veggie burgers, seitan, some meatless nuggets (without heavy phosphate additives).
Breakfast cereals: oatmeal, bran flakes, shredded wheat.
Yogurt alternatives: coconut or oat yogurt (without phosphate fortifiers).
Canned beans or lentils: if rinsed, phosphorus is reduced compared with dry-cooked beans.

Typically refined or minimally fortified; better suited for CKD diets.

White bread & refined pasta: Italian bread, white sandwich bread, plain pasta.
Rice products: white rice, cream of rice cereal, rice cakes, rice noodles.
Crackers & simple baked snacks: saltines, graham crackers, vanilla wafers.
Light-colored sodas & drinks: ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, apple juice, grape juice.
Non-dairy milks (unenriched): rice milk, almond milk without phosphate additives.
Plain popcorn: air-popped, unsalted, no butter flavoring.
Sherbet, fruit ice, sorbet (without chocolate or dairy).
Plain cookies or biscuits: sugar cookies, shortbread.

High-phosphorus processed foods often rely on additives and should be avoided.
Medium-phosphorus processed foods can be eaten sparingly, with close attention to portion sizes and labels.
Low-phosphorus processed foods are the safest options but may be less nutrient-dense, so balance with fresh foods is essential.

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