Brown Rice vs Pasta: Which Is Better for Kidneys?

Q: Which has more phosphorus, brown rice or pasta?

Brown Rice has 103 mg of Phosphorus per 100 g, compared with 58 mg in Pasta. Both numbers are measured against the same daily limit.

Q: Is brown rice or pasta better for kidney disease?

Under the daily limits used on this site, Brown Rice falls in the Kidney-friendly tier and Pasta in the Kidney-friendly tier. Lower tiers mean a smaller share of the daily allowance per 100 g.

Q: What is the difference between brown rice and pasta for a CKD diet?

For a CKD diet, the key gap is Phosphorus — 6% of the limit for Pasta and 10% for Brown Rice. Check each food page for phosphorus, sodium and potassium together.

Side by side, Brown Rice (Kidney-friendly) and Pasta (Kidney-friendly) differ most in Phosphorus: Brown Rice has 103 mg, Pasta has 58 mg. The biggest gap is Phosphorus — Pasta sits at 6% of the daily limit versus 10% for Brown Rice.

Brown Rice
Kidney-friendly Pasta
Kidney-friendly

Phosphorus

103 mg

10%

58 mg

Sodium

4 mg

<1%

1 mg

<1%

Potassium

86 mg

44 mg

About Brown Rice

For Grains & Starches, Brown Rice is a typical example. Grains and starches are usually relatively low in potassium and phosphorus, making them a sensible base for a CKD diet. Watch whole-grain and some processed grain products, which can carry more phosphorus.

About Pasta

In a CKD diet, Grains & Starches deserve attention: Pasta - Grains and starches are usually relatively low in potassium and phosphorus, making them a sensible base for a CKD diet. Watch whole-grain and some processed grain products, which can carry more phosphorus.

Practical tips

A handy approach - Use refined grains as the base and treat whole grains by portion, since they carry more phosphorus. Worth remembering: Use refined grains as the base and treat whole grains by portion, since they carry more phosphorus.

See Brown Rice details See Pasta details

Frequently asked questions

Which has more phosphorus, brown rice or pasta?

Brown Rice has 103 mg of Phosphorus per 100 g, compared with 58 mg in Pasta. Both numbers are measured against the same daily limit.

Is brown rice or pasta better for kidney disease?

Under the daily limits used on this site, Brown Rice falls in the Kidney-friendly tier and Pasta in the Kidney-friendly tier. Lower tiers mean a smaller share of the daily allowance per 100 g.

What is the difference between brown rice and pasta for a CKD diet?

For a CKD diet, the key gap is Phosphorus — 6% of the limit for Pasta and 10% for Brown Rice. Check each food page for phosphorus, sodium and potassium together.