Choosing the right bread can be confusing for individuals with kidney disease.
For healthy individuals, whole wheat bread is usually recommended over refined, white flour bread.
Whole wheat bread may be more nutritious, mostly due to its higher fiber content. However, white bread is usually recommended over whole wheat varieties for individuals with kidney disease.
This is because of its phosphorus and potassium content. The more bran and whole grains in the bread, the higher the phosphorus and potassium contents (14).
For example, a regular slice, or 36-gram (g) serving, of whole wheat bread contains about 76 mg of phosphorus and 90 mg of potassium. In comparison, a regular slice (28 g) of white bread contains approximately 32 mg of phosphorus and potassium (15, 16).
Eating one slice of whole wheat bread instead of two can help lower your potassium and phosphorus intake without giving up whole wheat bread entirely.
Note that most bread and bread products, regardless of whether they’re white or whole wheat, also contain relatively high amounts of sodium (17).
It’s best to compare the nutrition labels of various types of bread, choose a lower sodium option if possible, and monitor your portion sizes.
SummaryWhite bread is typically recommended over whole wheat bread on a renal diet due to its lower phosphorus and potassium levels. All bread contains sodium, so it’s best to compare food labels and choose a lower-sodium variety.