List Of Foods That Are High & Low In Potassium

Depending on your medical condition, you may be asked to monitor your intake of potassium. Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte that is involved in numerous functions to keep your body running normally. Among potassium's roles in the body are assisting in the regulation of acid-base balance, maintaining normal heart activity and involvement in protein synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. It may be beneficial to your health to increase or decrease your potassium intake. As with any diet, consult your physician before making these dietary changes.

High-Potassium Fruits & Vegetables

Most people are familiar with the fact that bananas and oranges have a high potassium content, but many other fruits and vegetables have an abundant amount. NIH's D.A.S.H. diet (Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension) encourages potassium-rich foods because they may help reduce elevated blood pressure. In addition, potassium may decrease kidney stones and bone loss.

High-potassium fruits include apricots, avocados, watermelon, rhubarb, nectarines, papayas, cantaloupes, honeydew melons, mangoes, bananas, oranges, prunes and prune juice, figs, dates and raisins.

High-potassium vegetables include artichokes, beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, raw carrots, potatoes, French fries, greens, lima beans, parsnips, pumpkin, spinach, tomatoes and tomato juice, winter squash and vegetable juices are vegetables.

Low-Potassium Fruit & Vegetables

Conditions such as kidney disease require limiting potassium intake. If you need to watch your potassium intake, you can still enjoy fruits and vegetables, you just need to choose the right ones and be aware of portion size. A serving size for fruit is one small piece, 1/2 cup of juice or 1/2 cup of fresh or canned fruit. Vegetable serving sizes are 1/2 cup of juice, 1/2 cup of cooked or raw vegetable or 1 cup of leafy greens. Low potassium is generally less than 200 mg per serving.

Low-potassium fruits include berries, grapes, grape juice, apples, applesauce, apple juice, pears, peaches, pineapple, tangerine and cranberry juice.

Vegetables with low potassium content are cooked carrots, celery, cabbage, eggplant, corn, cauliflower, green beans, onions, peas, zucchini, peppers, asparagus, lettuce and cucumber.

Other High-Potassium Foods

Besides fruits and vegetables, it is important to consider the other food groups when monitoring your potassium intake. In the dairy group, milk and yogurt contain high amounts of potassium. Beans, nuts, seeds and soy products are higher potassium foods in the protein group. Additionally, whole grain and bran cereals are potassium rich foods.

Other Low-Potassium Foods

When you need to choose low potassium foods, eat white bread, pasta, rice, cream of wheat, oatmeal and nonbran cereals. Eggs, cheese and peanut butter are low-potassium sources of protein.