After publishing my recent post on Estimating Phosphorus Additives, I received a lot of great feedback—especially from clinicians who said the method was clear and practical.
But one friend reached out and asked for something even more streamlined:
“Can you make an Excel calculator that does the math for me?”
So…I did! ?
If you’re on my email list, you can download the Phosphorus Additive Calculator directly from the Subscribers-Only Resources section.
How to Use the Phosphorus Additive Calculator
Here’s a quick walkthrough so you can start using it immediately.
Step 1: Identify the phosphorus additive
Look at the ingredient list and find the phosphorus-containing additive you want to calculate (e.g., sodium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate).
Step 2: Enter the amount of the accompanying mineral from the nutrition facts table
Find the accompanying mineral amount of the label (e.g. sodium, calcium or potassium) and enter this amount into the White column title Mineral (mg)
Step 3: Review the estimated phosphorus contributed by the additive
The calculator automatically:
- Estimates the amount of phosphorus in mg per serving
- Estimates the %DV as part of a 800mg phosphorus diet
- Estimates the added phosphorus from that additive
Step 4: Use the estimate in your patient counseling
This tool is meant to help dietitians and clinicians:
- Compare products
- Educate people living with CKD
- Identify high and low-risk processed foods
- Make more informed nutrition recommendations
Why This Calculator Helps
Phosphorus additives:
- May not always add a lot of phosphorus to foods
- Are widely used in processed foods
- Poorly labeled
- A major contributor to total phosphorus load for people with CKD
Automating the math makes interpreting food labels much easier—especially in a busy clinical setting.
Download the Calculator
If you’re already subscribed, you’ll find the calculator in the Email List Subscribers Only section.
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