Potassium is an electrolyte mineral that regulates your heart's activity and muscle function. Certain medical conditions may require you to follow a low-potassium diet, including chronic kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation. The kidneys can't process potassium and sodium, another electrolyte, properly when organ function is impaired. Making low-potassium food choices can take the strain off of your kidneys and can prevent dangerous complications including paralysis and heart arrhythmias.
Fruits
Potassium is found in many fruits; following a low-potassium diet may mean eating smaller portions of certain fruits than you would otherwise enjoy in large quantities. Drugs.com defines "low-potassium" to be 100 mg of the mineral per serving. Apples, pears, plums, tangerines and peaches are considered low in potassium when measured as a whole fruit in the small-to-medium size range. The National Kidney Foundation explains that 1/2-cup servings of other fruits, including blueberries, cherries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, applesauce, cranberries, canned peaches, pears, apricots, fruit cocktail and mandarin oranges are good low-potassium food choices. You can safely enjoy 1 cup of watermelon, half of a grapefruit or 1/2 cup of pineapple and apple juices without raising your potassium to dangerous levels.
Vegetables
A wide range of vegetables fit into the category of low-potassium food choices, including those that have a high water content like cucumbers, iceberg lettuce and celery. Cruciferous vegetables that provide you with fiber and low levels of potassium include cauliflower and cabbage -- both purple and green varieties. Other plant-based foods that are low in potassium include mushrooms, cooked carrots, green beans, bell peppers and squash. UpToDate, a physician-authored and reviewed medical information resource, suggests lowering the potassium content of vegetables by soaking the food in a bowl of warm water for at least two hours, and rinsing in cold water before eating.
Eggs and Dairy
Most animal-based protein sources are high in potassium; a 3-oz. serving of broiled salmon, for example contains 319mg of potassium according to Drugs.com. Lower-potassium options include eggs and dairy products. One whole egg contains 55 mg; small, 1-oz. portions of American or Cheddar cheese also fit into the "low-potassium" category.
Grains and Sweets
White pastas, rices and breads are low in potassium, in contrast to their fiber-rich, whole grain counterparts. If you must limit your potassium, speak to your doctor or nutritionist about alternate ways to get fiber into your diet. The National Kidney Foundation explains that chocolate is high in potassium, so many chocolate-based desserts fall into the restricted list. White and yellow nut-free cakes and other non-chocolate confections may satisfy your sweet tooth without raising your potassium levels. You may enjoy tea and coffee with your dessert, as long as your limit your consumption to 8 oz. of coffee or 16 oz. of tea daily.
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