What foods are low in both potassium and phosphorus?

October 9, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the National Kidney Foundation, managing the intake of minerals like potassium and phosphorus is crucial for individuals with kidney disease. So, what foods are low in both potassium and phosphorus? The answer lies in choosing fresh, unprocessed items like apples, berries, and egg whites, while limiting dairy, whole grains, and processed meats.

Quick Summary

A low-potassium and low-phosphorus diet relies on unprocessed, fresh ingredients. Focus on select fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins while avoiding processed foods, certain dairy, and dark sodas. Proper food preparation, like boiling vegetables, can further reduce mineral content. Always check labels for hidden additives containing phosphate.

Key Points

Choose fresh, unprocessed foods: Opt for fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats to avoid hidden phosphate additives found in processed items like deli meats, certain sodas, and fast food.
Prioritize low-mineral fruits and vegetables: Select options like apples, berries, cabbage, and carrots, which contain lower levels of potassium and phosphorus compared to high-mineral alternatives like bananas, oranges, and potatoes.
Boil vegetables and starches to reduce potassium: For higher-potassium items like potatoes, peeling and boiling them in a large amount of water can help leach out some of the mineral content.
Limit dairy and certain proteins: Reduce intake of cow's milk, processed cheese, and egg yolks, and choose lean, fresh cuts of meat, poultry, and fish.
Read food labels for "PHOS" additives: Be vigilant for ingredients containing the letters 'phos,' such as phosphoric acid, disodium phosphate, or calcium phosphate, which are commonly used in processed goods.
Consult a dietitian: Work with a healthcare provider or renal dietitian to create a personalized meal plan tailored to your specific health needs and restrictions.

Navigating a Low-Potassium and Low-Phosphorus Diet

When kidney function is impaired, the body's ability to filter excess minerals like potassium and phosphorus is reduced, leading to potential health complications. High potassium levels can affect heart rhythm, while high phosphorus can cause weakened bones and itchy skin. To manage these mineral levels, following a renal diet that emphasizes foods naturally low in both is essential. This guide provides a detailed look at the best food choices and preparation methods for managing a low-potassium and low-phosphorus diet.

Vegetables to Enjoy

While many vegetables are a cornerstone of a healthy diet, some are higher in potassium and phosphorus than others. Opt for these low-mineral options to build your meals:

Carrots: A versatile vegetable that can be boiled, grated, or used in small amounts in salads.
Cabbage: Green, red, or white cabbage can be boiled and added to dishes for a crunchy texture and nutrients.
Cauliflower: A great substitute for potatoes, it can be mashed, roasted, or steamed.
Cucumber: A refreshing, low-potassium salad staple.
Green beans: Fresh or frozen green beans are low in both minerals.
Lettuce: Iceberg and other types of lettuce are generally low in minerals.
Onions: Use onions to add flavor to dishes without adding significant mineral content.
Peppers: Bell peppers, in particular, are an excellent low-potassium and low-phosphorus choice.
Radishes: A peppery, crunchy addition to salads.

Low-Potassium and Low-Phosphorus Fruits

Fruits are an important part of a balanced diet, providing vitamins and fiber. Here are some options that fit a low-mineral meal plan:

Apples: Fresh apples and unsweetened applesauce are safe choices.
Berries: Enjoy blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries in moderation.
Cherries: A small handful of fresh cherries is a great snack.
Cranberries: Fresh or unsweetened cranberry juice can be consumed.
Grapes: A handful of fresh grapes is generally acceptable.
Peaches: Fresh or canned (drained of syrup) peaches are a good choice.
Pears: Both fresh and canned pears are low in minerals.
Pineapple: A tropical fruit that's a good source of vitamin C and fiber.

Protein Sources

Protein is essential for building muscle and fighting infection. Choosing unprocessed animal proteins and carefully selected plant-based options is key.

Fresh meat and poultry: Unprocessed beef, pork, chicken, and turkey are good choices. Homemade preparations avoid hidden phosphate additives found in deli meats and pre-seasoned poultry.
Fresh fish: Cod, haddock, salmon, and trout are excellent sources of protein. For canned fish like tuna or salmon, rinse it thoroughly to reduce salt and potassium.
Egg whites: The yolk is high in phosphorus, so egg whites are the better option for a renal diet.
Tofu and Quorn: These can be good low-phosphate, plant-based protein alternatives, but be mindful of portion sizes.

Grains and Starches

Starchy foods provide energy, but some are better than others. White flour products are generally lower in minerals than whole-grain versions.

White bread, pasta, and rice: These are lower in potassium and phosphorus than their whole-grain counterparts.
Plain cereals: Choices like cornflakes, Rice Krispies, or puffed wheat are suitable.
Couscous and bulgur: These can serve as lower-mineral alternatives to brown rice.
Plain popcorn: Unsalted and unbuttered popcorn is a good snack option.
Leached potatoes: To reduce potassium in potatoes, peel, slice, and soak them in warm water for at least two hours before cooking.

Cooking and Preparation Techniques

The way food is prepared can significantly impact its mineral content. For vegetables and starchy items, boiling is often recommended as it helps leach out potassium into the water. Always discard the water used for boiling and do not use it for sauces or soups. Steaming, microwaving, or air frying vegetables does not remove potassium. For proteins, cooking from scratch using fresh ingredients is the best way to avoid the phosphate and potassium additives common in processed foods.

Comparison Table of Foods


Food Category	Low Potassium & Low Phosphorus Options	High Potassium & High Phosphorus Options
Vegetables	Carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, green beans, lettuce, onions, bell peppers, radishes	Avocados, cooked spinach, potatoes, sweet potatoes, baked beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, winter squash
Fruits	Apples, berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries), cherries, grapes, peaches, pears, pineapple, tangerines	Bananas, oranges, dried fruits (raisins, prunes), melon (cantaloupe, honeydew), kiwi
Proteins	Fresh, unprocessed beef, pork, chicken, turkey, egg whites, fresh fish (cod, haddock, salmon)	Processed meats (ham, sausages, deli meat), canned meat with added phosphate, sardines, organ meats
Grains	White rice, white bread, plain pasta, couscous, plain cornflakes, puffed rice	Brown rice, whole wheat bread, bran cereals, wild rice
Dairy	Rice milk (unenriched), cream cheese, small portions of cottage cheese	Cow's milk, most yogurts, processed cheese, ice cream
Drinks	Water, unsweetened cranberry juice, clear soda (Sprite, ginger ale), decaf tea	Dark cola, fruit juices, smoothies, chocolate milk, sports drinks

What to Avoid: Phosphorus Additives

One of the most important aspects of this diet is reading food labels to spot hidden phosphate additives. Manufacturers often use these to preserve foods or enhance texture. Look for ingredients containing the letters "PHOS," such as phosphoric acid, disodium phosphate, or calcium phosphate. These are common in processed foods like certain cereals, processed cheeses, baked goods, and even some sodas. Choosing fresh, whole foods and preparing meals at home is the most effective strategy to avoid these additives.

Conclusion

Managing a low-potassium and low-phosphorus diet requires careful planning and awareness of food choices and preparation. By focusing on fresh vegetables like cabbage and carrots, fruits such as berries and apples, lean unprocessed meats and fish, and white grains, individuals can effectively control their mineral intake. It is equally important to scrutinize food labels for phosphorus additives and use cooking techniques like boiling to reduce potassium. While dietary restrictions can be challenging, working closely with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian is the best approach to ensuring proper nutrition while protecting kidney health.

Resource

For more information on renal diets and healthy eating for chronic kidney disease, visit the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) website(https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/healthy-eating-adults-chronic-kidney-disease).

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any dietary changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

A low-potassium and low-phosphorus diet is important for individuals with kidney disease, as their kidneys may have difficulty filtering these minerals from the blood. High levels can lead to health complications, including heart rhythm abnormalities and weakened bones.

Some good fruit choices that are low in both potassium and phosphorus include apples, fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries), cherries, grapes, pears, and pineapple.

Potatoes and sweet potatoes are typically high in potassium. To reduce the potassium content, you can peel, thinly slice, and boil them in a large amount of water, discarding the cooking water afterwards. However, they should still be consumed in moderation.

Fresh, unprocessed meats like chicken, turkey, and beef are good choices. For fish, opt for fresh cod, haddock, or salmon. Egg whites are preferable to whole eggs due to the high phosphorus in the yolk.

Water is the best choice. Other acceptable drinks include clear sodas (like ginger ale or lemon-lime), some squashes, unsweetened cranberry juice, and plain decaf tea. Avoid dark colas, most fruit juices, and sports drinks.

The most effective way to reduce the potassium in vegetables is by boiling them. Peel and cut the vegetables, then boil them in a large pot of water and discard the water afterward. This process, known as leaching, can help lower mineral levels.

Whole grains generally have higher potassium and phosphorus levels than refined grains. For a low-mineral diet, white rice and white bread are preferred over brown rice and whole wheat bread. However, recent research suggests that the body may absorb less phosphorus from plant-based foods.