Having the correct amount of potassium in circulation is critical for nervous activity. Healthy bodies normally regulate the amount of potassium in the bloodstream and keep it within a relatively narrow range. Diseased kidneys are unable to filter potassium from the blood, so potassium builds up. This can cause heart arrhythmia. Doctors monitor potassium levels in these patients to ensure the levels are not too high. While no food will lower potassium levels, adding certain foods often helps ensure potassium levels remain in a reasonably low range.
Fruits
Patients should be careful because not all fruits are low potassium. According to the National Kidney Foundation, low-potassium fruits include apples, blackberries, cherries, cranberries, grapes, grapefruit, peaches, pairs, pineapples, plums and strawberries. Dried fruits and dried fruit products such as prune juice are high in potassium. So are bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papaya and pomegranate. By emphasizing low potassium fruits, you will be better able to control your potassium levels.
Vegetables
According to the National Kidney Foundation, low-potassium vegetables include alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, kale, lettuce, fresh okra, onions, parsley, peas, green peppers, radishes, rhubarb, water chestnuts, watercress, yellow squash and zucchini.
Not all vegetables are low potassium. For example, acorn squash, artichoke, bamboo shoots, butternut squash, black beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, greens, hubbard squash, kohlrabi, lentils, legumes, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin and
tomatoes are high in potassium.
Grains
Processed rice, pasta made from white flour and other non-whole grain bread products are wise choices for patients with high potassium levels. Avoid whole wheat products because they are higher in potassium.
Leached foods
Sometimes you can convert high-potassium foods into low-potassium foods. Soaking peeled potatoes and squashes in warm water for several hours before cooking leaches the potassium out of them. You also can leach potassium from beets and carrots by cooking them in boiling water.
Beverages
Water is often the safest choice for patients trying to watch potassium. Soda is problematic because potassium levels vary so much by types and brand. For example, colas are high in potassium, while others have much lower amounts.
You can find low-potassium beverages by consulting potassium counters, such as one that the U.S. Department of Agriculture publishes.
Member Comments