Phosphorus is an essential nutrient required for proper cell functioning, regulation of calcium, strong bones and teeth, and for making ATP (adenosine triphosphate) a molecule which provides energy to our cells. A deficiency in phosphorus can lead to lowered appetite, anemia, muscle pain, improper bone formation (rickets), numbness, and a weakened immune system. Phosphorus is found in almost every food, and as such, deficiency is rare. Conversely consuming too much phosphorus causes the body to send calcium from the bones to the blood in an attempt to restore balance. This transfer of calcium weakens bones, and can cause calcification of internal organs, increasing risk of heart attack and other vascular diseases. Some scientific research suggests that phosphorus is more easily absorbed from meat products,4 and you can only absorb half of the phosphorus contained in plant foods. The amount of phosphorus absorbed differs from person to person, and as HealthAliciousNess.com considers nutrients from plant sources to be optimal for health, the plant sources of phosphorus are still listed here and recommended. The DV (Percent Daily Value) for phosphorus is 1000mg. Below is a list of high phosphorus foods by common serving size, for more, see the extended lists of high phosphorus foods by nutrient density, and phosphorus rich foods.
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#1: Seeds (Pumpkin & Squash)
| Phosphorous in 100g | Per cup (129g) | Per ounce (28g) |
| 1233mg (123% DV) | 1591mg (159% DV) | 345mg (35% DV) |
Other Seeds High in Phosphorous (%DV per ounce): Sunflower Seeds (32%), Chia Seeds (24%), Sesame Seeds (22%), Watermelon Seeds (21%), and Flaxseeds (18%).
#2: Cheese (Romano)
| Phosphorous in 100g | Per package (142g) | Per ounce (28g) |
| 760mg (76% DV) | 1079mg (108% DV) | 213mg (21% DV) |
Other Types of Cheese High in Phosphorous (%DV per ounce): Parmesan (23%), Goat Cheese (20%), Nonfat Mozzarella (18%), Gruyere and Swiss (17%), Gouda, Edam and Nonfat Cream Cheese (15%).
#3: Fish (Salmon)
| Phosphorous in 100g | Per 1/2 Fillet (154g) | Per 3oz (85g) |
| 371mg (37% DV) | 571mg (57% DV) | 315mg (32% DV) |
Other Fish High in Phosphorous (%DV per 3oz Cooked): Carp (45%), American Shad (30%), Whitefish and Cod (29%), Tuna (28%), and Mackerel (27%).
#4: Shellfish (Scallops)
| Phosphorous in 100g (Cooked) | Per 3oz (85g) | Per ounce (28g) |
| 426mg (43% DV) | 362mg (36% DV) | 121mg (12% DV) |
Other Shellfish High in Phosphorous (%DV per 3oz Cooked): Clams (29%), Shrimp (26%), Mussels and Crab (24%).
#5: Nuts (Brazil)
| Phosphorous in 100g | Per cup (133g) | Per ounce (28g) |
| 725mg (73% DV) | 964mg (96% DV) | 203mg (20% DV) |
Other Nuts High in Phosphorous (%DV per ounce): Pine Nuts (16%), Almonds and Cashews (14%), and Pistachios (13%).
#6: Pork (Lean Sirloin)
| Phosphorous in 100g | Per roast (638g) | Per 3oz (85g) |
| 311mg (31% DV) | 1984mg (198% DV) | 264mg (26% DV) |
A Lean Pork Chop (180g) provides (55%) DV.
#7: Beef & Veal (Lean Beef)
| Phosphorous in 100g | Per piece (283g) | Per 3oz (85g) |
| 286mg (29% DV) | 809mg (81% DV) | 243mg (24% DV) |
Veal leg provides (25%) per 3oz of phosphorus.
#8: Low Fat Dairy (Nonfat Yogurt)
| Phosphorous 100g | Per cup (245g) | Per container (227g) |
| 157mg (16% DV) | 385mg (38% DV) | 356mg (36% DV) |
1 cup of Nonfat Milk provides 25% DV of phosphorus.
#9: Soya Foods (Tofu)
| Phosphorous in 100g | Per 3oz (85g) | Per ounce (28g) |
| 287mg (29% DV) | 241mg (24% DV) | 80mg (8% DV) |
Soybeans (Edamame) are Also High in Phosphorous: providing (18%) DV per ounce.
#10: Beans & Lentils (Lentils)
| Phosphorous in 100g | Per cup (198g) | Per tablespoon (12g) |
| 180mg (18% DV) | 356mg (36% DV) | 22mg (2% DV) |
Other Beans and Lentils High in Phosphorous (%DV per cup cooked): Adzuki (39%), Yellow Beans (32%), White Beans (30%), Chickpeas and Black Turtle Beans (28%), Pinto and Kidney Beans (25%).
Top 10 High Phosphorus Foods by Nutrient Density (Phosphorus per Gram)
| #1: Seeds (Pumpkin) | 1233mg (123% DV) per 100 grams | 345mg (35% DV) per ounce (28 grams) |
| #2: Spices (Ground Mustard Seed) | 828mg (83% DV) per 100 grams | 17mg (2% DV) per teaspoon (2 grams) |
| #3: Cheese (Parmesan) | 807mg (81% DV) per 100 grams | 40mg (4% DV) per tablespoon (5 grams) |
| #4: Nuts (Brazil) | 725mg (73% DV) per 100 grams | 203mg (20% DV) per ounce (28 grams) |
| #5: Cocoa Powder | 734mg (73% DV) per 100 grams | 37mg (4% DV) per tablespoon (5 grams) |
| #6: Edamame (Soybeans) | 649mg (65% DV) per 100 grams | 182mg (18% DV) per ounce (28 grams) |
| #7: Baker’s Yeast | 637mg (64% DV) per 100 grams | 26mg (3% DV) per teaspoon (4 grams) |
| #8: Bacon | 533mg (53% DV) per 100 grams | 43mg (4% DV) per slice (8 grams) |
| #9: Liver (Beef) | 497mg (50% DV) per 100 grams | 338mg (34% DV) per slice (68 grams) |
| #10: Canned Sardines | 490mg (49% DV) per 100 grams | 451mg (45% DV) per can (92 grams) |
Phosphorus Rich Foods
White Mushrooms (Cooked) 105mg (11% DV) per 100 gram serving113mg (11% DV) per cup, sliced (108 grams)
Click to see complete nutrition facts for White Mushrooms
Tortilla Chips 318mg (32% DV) per 100 gram serving89mg (9% DV) per ounce (28 grams)
Click to see complete nutrition facts for Tortilla Chips
Buckwheat (Cooked) 319mg (32% DV) per 100 gram serving523mg (52% DV) per cup (164 grams)
Click to see complete nutrition facts for Buckwheat
Peanut Butter 369mg (37% DV) per 100 gram serving133mg (13% DV) per 2 tablespoons (36 grams)
Click to see complete nutrition facts for Peanut Butter
| Bran (Not well absorbed)* | 1677mg (168% DV) per 100 gram serving | 1426mg (144% DV) per cup (118 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Bran | |
| Wheat Germ (Not well absorbed)* | 1146mg (115% DV) per 100 gram serving | 1295mg (129% DV) per cup (113 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Toasted Wheat Germ | |
| Fortified Cereals** | 1150mg (115% DV) per 100 gram serving | 1426mg (144% DV) in 2 cups (124 grams) | 713mg (72% DV) per cup (62 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Fortified Cereals |
| Poppy Seeds | 849mg (85% DV) per 100 gram serving | 76mg (8% DV) per tablespoon (9 grams) | 25mg (3% DV) per teaspoon (3 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Poppy Seeds |
| Cocoa Powder | 734mg (73% DV) per 100 gram serving | 631mg (63% DV) per cup (86 grams) | 37mg (4% DV) per tablespoon (5 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Cocoa Powder |
| Baking Powder | 6869mg (687% DV) per 100 gram serving | 344mg (34% DV) per teaspoon (5 grams) | 206mg (21% DV) per 1/2 teaspoon (3 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Baking Powder |
| Whey Powder | 932mg (93% DV) per 100 gram serving | 1351mg (135% DV) per cup (145 grams) | 75mg (7% DV) per tablespoon (8 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Whey Powder |
| Caviar | 356mg (36% DV) per 100 gram serving | 100mg (10% DV) per ounce (28 grams) | 57mg (6% DV) per tablespoon (16 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Caviar |
| Tempeh | 266mg (27% DV) per 100 gram serving | 442mg (44% DV) per cup (166 grams) | 74mg (8% DV) per ounce (28 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Tempeh |
| Sun Dried Tomatoes | 356mg (36% DV) per 100 gram serving | 192mg (19% DV) per cup (54 grams) | 7mg (1% DV) per piece (2 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Sun Dried Tomatoes |
| Ham (Lean) | 322mg (32% DV) per 100 gram serving | 274mg (27% DV) per 3oz (85 grams) | 892mg (89% DV) per piece (277 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Ham |
| Rice Cakes (Brown) | 360mg (36% DV) per 100 gram serving | 65mg (6% DV) per 2 cakes (18 grams) | 32mg (3% DV) per cake (9 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Brown Rice Cakes |
| Popcorn | 358mg (36% DV) per 100 gram serving | 29mg (3% DV) per cup (8 grams) | 100mg (10% DV) per ounce (28 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Popcorn |
| Watercress | 60mg (6% DV) per 100 gram serving | 20mg (2% DV) per cup chopped (34 grams) | 15mg (2% DV) per 10 sprigs (25 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Watercress |
| Shiitake Mushrooms (Dried) | 294mg (29% DV) per 100 gram serving | 44mg (4% DV) per 4 mushrooms (15 grams) | 12mg (1% DV) per mushroom (4 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Shiitake Mushrooms |
| Portabella Mushrooms | 108mg (11% DV) per 100 gram serving | 93mg (9% DV) per cup, diced (86 grams) | 91mg (9% DV) per mushroom (84 grams) | Click to see complete nutrition facts for Portabella Mushrooms |
*While bran and germ (the components of whole grains) are high in phosphorus, they are in a storage form called phytin, which is not absorbed.Ref
**Amount of phosphorus may vary greatly between products. Be sure to check nutrition labels for the exact amount of phosphorus from each individual product.
For more high phosphorus foods use the nutrient ranking tool.
People at Risk of a Phosphorus Deficiency
- Alcoholics – Alcohol can draw phosphorus supplies from the bones, lowering overall levels.3
- People Taking Salt Substitutes – Salt substitutes which contain potassium may reduce phosphorus levels in the long term.3
- Long distance athletes – People who exercise over long distances lose electrolytes via sweat and need to replenish their sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus levels.
- Dehydration – People who consume excess alcohol, or suffer diarrhea, or can be otherwise dehydrated need to replenish their sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus levels.
- Drugs which may Lower Phosphorus Levels3
- Antacids – Antacids with aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, can hamper phosphorus absorption in the digestive system.
- Anticonvulsants – Anticonvulsants, such as phenobarbital and carbamazepine or Tegretol, can lower levels of
phosphorus in the body, and create enzymes which hamper absorption. - Bile Acid Sequestrants – Bile acid sequestrants used to lower cholesterol can prevent phosphorus being absorbed by the body.
- Corticosteroids – Corticosteroids, such as prednisone or methylprednisolone (Medrol), can increase excretion of phosphorus in unrine.
- Insulin – Insulin in high doses may lower phosphorus absorption.
- ACE Inhibitors (Blood Pressure Medication) – ACE Inhibitors such as Benazepril (Lotensin), Captopril (Capoten), Enalapril (Vasotec),
Fosinopril (Monopril), Lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), Quinapril (Accupril), and Ramipril (Altace) may lower levels of phosphorus. - Cyclosporine (Immune Supressant)
- Cardiac Glycosides (Digoxin or Lanoxin)
- Heparins (Blood-thinning Drugs)
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (ie: Ibuprofen or Advil)
Recipes High in Phosphorus
Warnings
- Cheese, Bacon, and Whole Milk are high cholesterol foods which should be eaten in moderate amounts or avoided by people at risk of heart disease or stroke.
- Pumpkin and Squash Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Flax Seeds, Cheese, and Nuts are
high calorie foods and should be
eaten in moderate amounts by people with a high body mass index. - People with kidney failure should regulate their intake of phosphorus foods, and avoid phosphorus foods if their level is high. Normal phosphorus levels range between 3.5 to 5.5 mg/dL. The National Kidney Foundation can provide more guidance on kidney failure and phosphorus foods.
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Source: http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/high-phosphorus-foods.php
