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.
Suitcase Icon

Learn More About Health Services at PIH Health

Expert care for every stage of life. Explore the comprehensive services offered at PIH Health.

Explore Services
Newspaper Icon

Get Health Tips & Updates

Sign up for helpful health information, wellness tips and news from PIH Health, delivered straight to your inbox.

Subscribe
Related Articles
Read article
Wellness
Discharge Instructions: Having a Full Liquid Diet

Certain conditions may require that you follow a full liquid diet for a period of time. This sheet will give you the basics.

Read article
Wellness
Should Your Family Go Plant-Based?

What can you feed your sprouts so that they grow up healthy and strong? Consider a plant-based diet.

Read article
Wellness
Discharge Instructions: Adding Medicine to Your Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) Solution

Helpful directions and tips for adding medicine to your TPN solution.

Read article
Wellness
Low-Fat Diet

A low-fat diet will help you lose weight. It also can lower cholesterol and prevent symptoms of gallbladder disease. Here's a list of foods to eat more of, as well as those to stay away from.

Stethoscope Icon

Personalized Care Starts with the Right Provider

Search by specialty, location, and more.

Find A Doctor
Appointments Icon

Make an Appointment

Your health can't always wait. Schedule an appointment with a PIH Health provider.

Schedule an Appointment
Cross Icon

Find a PIH Health Urgent Care Location

Need care today?. Find the nearest PIH Health Urgent Care location.

Find Urgent Care