Nutrition

Kidney Disease: Balancing Calcium and Phosphorus

Choose a preferred language

Calcium and phosphorus are minerals found in many foods. Your body works best when these minerals are in balance. If you have kidney disease, phosphorus may build up in your blood and calcium is pulled out of your bones. This can make your bones weak over time. To help keep your bones strong, control the amount of phosphorus in your body. This sheet tells you how.


Take phosphate binders

Man putting pill in his mouth while holding glass of water.

Phosphate binders are medicines that stick to the phosphorus in the food you eat. This keeps the phosphorus from being absorbed into your body. Instead, the phosphorus passes from your body with stool (solid waste). For best results, keep these tips in mind:

☐ Use only the type of phosphate binder that your healthcare provider recommends. The type of binder that you should be taking is ___________________________.

☐ Always take phosphate binders as directed.

☐ Take phosphate binders with meals.

☐ Other: _________________________.

☐ Phosphate binders can cause constipation. You may need to eat more fiber or take stool softeners.

Limit these foods

Don't eat these foods

To keep calcium and phosphorus in balance, limit the amount of phosphorus you eat. To do so, eat less of the following foods:

  • Milk

  • Chocolate

  • Cheese

  • Beer

  • Yogurt

  • Soybeans

  • Ice cream

Some foods are so high in phosphorus that you may need to stop eating them. Talk with a registered dietitian before eating these foods:

  • Cola drinks

  • Dried or baked beans

  • Nuts and seeds of all kinds

  • Peanut butter

  • Split peas

  • Whole-grain cereals

Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN

Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN

Online Medical Reviewer: Walead Latif MD

Date Last Reviewed: 12/04/2014

© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

FPC Locations

FPC Locations

Find a Provider

Find a Provider

Our Services

Our Services

Patient Portal

Patient Portal
Related Articles
Read article
Wellness
Understanding Fat and Cholesterol

Too much cholesterol in your blood can lead to blocked arteries. Eating foods that contain cholesterol can raise your blood cholesterol. Planning meals that are low in cholesterol and saturated fat helps reduce the level of cholesterol in your blood. Try to eat less than 200 mg of cholesterol a day.

Read article
Wellness
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) work with healthcare providers to calculate calorie and nutrient needs, design special diets, and offer other nutritional advice to patients.

Read article
Wellness
Discharge Instructions: Eating a Low-Potassium Diet

People who have certain kidney problems may be told to follow a low-potassium diet. This sheet can help you get started.

Read article
Wellness
Low-Fat Cooking Tips

Cooking with less fat may mean learning some new ways to cook. But it doesn't mean eating bland, boring food. And it doesn't mean spending hours in the kitchen. There are lots of ways to cook and season foods using less fat.