Evidence-based nutrition, in plain English — every entry sourced from clinical research.

Foods High in Phosphorus

If you are trying to eat more Phosphorus, ranked lists are useful because the best options are often not the most obvious ones. The foods below are ordered by Phosphorus content in mg per 100 g, drawn from the foods in our database.

Remember: ranking by one nutrient is only one way to choose foods. Pairing matters too. Use the Phosphorus compound page to understand absorption, forms and interactions.

Pumpkin Seeds — the top-ranked source

Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g, edible portion · values per 100 g
Calories 555
Total Fat 40 g
Saturated Fat 8.7 g
Sodium 0 mg
Potassium 691 mg
Total Carbohydrate 18.7 g
Dietary Fiber 5.08 g
Total Sugars 1.4 g
Protein 29.9 g
Magnesium, zinc, iron, phosphorus
Glycemic index: 25
Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC 2515380)

Top 15 Phosphorus foods

  1. Pumpkin Seeds — 1,150.0 mg per 100g (92% DV). Magnesium, zinc, iron
  2. Sunflower Seeds — 732.0 mg per 100g (59% DV). Vitamin E, magnesium, selenium
  3. Parmesan — 694.0 mg per 100g (56% DV). Calcium, protein, vitamin B12
  4. Chia Seeds — 691.3 mg per 100g (55% DV). Calcium, phosphorus, plant omega-3 (ALA)
  5. Sesame Seeds — 629.0 mg per 100g (50% DV). Calcium, lignans, magnesium
  6. Flaxseed — 556.4 mg per 100g (45% DV). Thiamine, magnesium, lignans
  7. Cashews — 532.2 mg per 100g (43% DV). Magnesium, copper, manganese
  8. Black Beans — 522.0 mg per 100g (42% DV). Folate, magnesium, anthocyanins (values for cooked)
  9. Almonds — 512.1 mg per 100g (41% DV). Vitamin E, magnesium, manganese
  10. Pistachios — 499.6 mg per 100g (40% DV). Vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium
  11. Sardines — 490.0 mg per 100g (39% DV). Omega-3, calcium (with bones), vitamin D
  12. Cheddar Cheese — 460.0 mg per 100g (37% DV). Calcium, protein, vitamin B12
  13. Oats — 410.0 mg per 100g (33% DV). Manganese, phosphorus, magnesium
  14. Peanut Butter — 393.2 mg per 100g (31% DV). Niacin, vitamin E, magnesium (natural
  15. Lentils — 373.6 mg per 100g (30% DV). Folate, iron, manganese (values for cooked)

How to actually eat more Phosphorus

A handful of additions usually move the needle more than a full diet reset. Phosphorus is best consumed from whole foods rather than supplements whenever possible. Try adding one new source each week, track how you feel, and build from there rather than forcing every meal to hit a target.

For broader context, see our Bone Health hub and the Phosphorus compound page.

Common questions

How much Phosphorus do I need a day? Needs differ by age, sex, life stage and health status. The figures here are not prescriptions; use them to compare foods, then apply your own context.

Are supplements better than food sources? Not automatically. Food provides co-factors such as fibre, fat and other micronutrients that help the body use Phosphorus effectively. Supplements are useful for filling confirmed gaps.

A note on health content. This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical or dietetic advice. Where we cite research, links to the original papers are provided so you can read the evidence yourself.

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