Here are some guidelines for phosphorus

Phosphorus: Is usually restricted anywhere from 800-1200 mg per day.

The key to keeping phosphorus in good range is knowing what to eat and how much to eat. The amount of phosphorus s not listed on food labels, but just because it is not listed does not mean that the food is phosphorus free. The best way to watch phosphorus in foods is to know what foods are high in phosphorus so that one can substitute with a lower phosphorus containing food.

Some tips to follow to lower phosphorus in the diet:

• Instead of milk, use substitutes like non-dairy creamers, rice milk (unenriched) or soy milk. Because some non-dairy creamers and soy milks are high in phosphorus, check with a renal dietitian for a list of acceptable brand name products.
• Instead of cheese, use cream cheese or sour cream.
• Instead of cola or Dr. Pepper® have cream soda, lemon-lime soda, grape soda, homemade lemonade, homemade iced tea or root beer.
• Instead of ice cream have gelatin, Popsicles®, sherbet or sorbet (remember to count as fluid).
• Instead of chocolate or nuts have jellybeans, fondant, gumdrops, hard candy, unsalted popcorn or unsalted pretzels.
• Instead of chocolate cookies or cake have sugar cookies, shortbread cookies, vanilla wafers or vanilla, lemon or angel food cake.
• Instead of hot chocolate or cocoa have hot apple cider or hot spiced cranberry juice.
• Instead of bran, oat or whole wheat cereals use cereals made from corn, refined wheat or rice.
• Instead of whole grain breads use French, Italian or white bread.
• Instead of peanut butter use jam, jelly, honey, cream cheese margarine or butter.
• Instead of dried beans or peas have green beans or wax beans.
• Instead of brown rice or wild rice use white rice, pasta, macaroni, grits or couscous seasoned with margarine and herbs.
• Instead of processed meats, fish and poultry use fresh or fresh frozen items.