Deli Ham & Cold Cuts

Potassium: ModeratePhosphorus: HigherSodium: Higher

The bottom line

Convenience at a mineral price: curing brings sodium, and phosphate additives bring the most absorbable kind of phosphorus.

After transplant: Cold deli meats eaten straight from the packet are also a listeria risk while immunosuppressed — heat until steaming if you eat them at all.

A healthier swap

Freshly cooked chicken, turkey or roast meat sliced at home — same sandwich, fraction of the additives.

Understand the nutrients

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a meat has phosphate additives?

Read the ingredients for 'PHOS' words — sodium phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate and their cousins. Fresh meat has one ingredient; processed meat has a paragraph.

These pages are general education about eating with kidney disease, dialysis or a kidney transplant. They are not medical advice and do not replace your own care plan. Kidney diets are individual: what is right for you depends on your stage, your blood tests, your medicines and your other conditions. Always talk to your care team or renal dietitian before changing what you eat, and never stop or change a medicine because of something you read here.