Potassium is an essential mineral your body requires for proper functioning of cells, tissues and organs. Most commonly, it is associated with heart rhythm and maintenance of your blood pressure. Potassium also keeps fluids and minerals in balance and may decrease blood pressure, stroke and heart disease. The condition of low potassium, or hypokalemia, requires that foods rich in potassium should be consumed. There are certain, forbidden foods however, that can deplete or interfere with the absorption of potassium.
Sodium
According to the University of Maryland, potassium levels in the blood depends on the amounts of magnesium and sodium, or salt. This university reports that too much sodium, which is common in Western cultures, can decrease the amount of potassium in your body. Fast foods, condiments and processed foods are typically very high in sodium, especially canned soups, pickles, processed meats, cheeses and some vegetable juices. Always check food labels for sodium content.
Licorice
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology reports that "large amounts of natural licorice, including licorice root or extracts, can lower potassium levels and aggravate high blood pressure." Be sure and check labels when buying herbal teas and supplements that may use natural forms of licorice.
Fluid Foods
Foods that contain large amounts of water will diminish potassium and excrete it in the urine. Diabetes suggest that you avoid these foods if you are trying to hang on to your body's potassium: soup, gelatin, ice cream, melons, grapes, apples, oranges, tomatoes, lettuce and celery. Think of any foods or drinks that dehydrate you, such as large amounts of caffeine, alcohol and the artificial sweetener, sorbitol and put them on your forbidden foods list.
Health Foods
In her book, "Scientific Feeding," Dora Roper records other foods that are potassium-depleting such as fruit juices, plums, apples, pears, corn, spinach, carrots, olives, egg yolks, cucumbers and onions. Many of these foods are considered to be healthy and may surprise you as they remove potassium from your diet.
Laxative Foods
Some foods are natural laxatives and should also be avoided. People who suffer from bulimia often have a low potassium level due to the water and mineral loss that goes with frequent bowel movements. Electrolytes in your body, such as potassium, sodium and chloride, become unbalanced as well with laxative-effect type foods; these electrolytes are mineral salts that can conduct electricity when dissolved in water. These foods may include prunes, figs, bran, pecans and walnuts, oats, licorice and raisins.
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