Potassium not only regulates heartbeat and muscle contraction but also is important in maintaining fluid balance in the body. A healthy kidney is needed to maintain proper potassium levels; therefore, individuals with kidney dysfunction may be placed on a low potassium diet to prevent too much potassium from building up in the blood, a condition known as hyperkalemia. According to Davita, a provider of kidney care in the United States, hyperkalemia can lead to irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and even death. A low potassium diet provides less than the 2,000 mg daily, usually around 1,000 mg per day, and consists of low potassium foods that contain less than 200 mg of potassium per serving.
Fruits and Vegetables
According to Davita, limit fruits and vegetables to the amounts recommended by your health care provider, as many common items, such as potatoes, leafy greens, bananas, and oranges, are rich in potassium. Low potassium fruits include apples, grapes, watermelon, plums, and berries, while low potassium vegetables include green beans, wax beans, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms and garlic. For those who cannot give up the higher potassium vegetables altogether, Davita reports that one-half cup may be consumed daily, if leached. This process involves removing some of the potassium from vegetables by peeling/cutting the vegetable into small pieces, letting them soak in a large pot of water for at least 4 hours at room temperature, rinsing them with clean water, draining the water, and cooking the vegetables in unsalted water. Keep in mind that this may not be recommended for individuals with chronic kidney disease or heart failure due to the need for more stringent potassium restriction.
Protein-Rich Foods
Animal products, such as beef, poultry, and fish, as well as high protein meat alternatives like soy milk, peanut butter, and beans, are high in potassium. Therefore, they're not recommended for those on a low potassium diet, unless a small serving is permitted by a health care provider to increase protein intake. Low potassium protein-rich foods include peanuts, eggs, and cheddar cheese. Dairy products, such as cottage cheese, milk, or yogurt, are high in potassium and not recommended for those on a low potassium diet. Instead of milk, Davita suggests using low potassium alternatives such as non-dairy creamer or unenriched rice milk. If an individual on a low potassium diet wants to have a glass of milk, the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center recommends he consume no more than one cup daily. For a sweet treat, sherbet, sorbet, and ice pops are recommended instead of consuming ice cream or frozen yogurt. In addition, vanilla- and lemon-flavored desserts are recommended instead of potassium-rich chocolate foods.
Grain Products
Grain products, such as rice, pasta, and bread, are naturally low in potassium, according to the National Kidney Foundation. It is recommended that no more than 1/2 cup serving or one slice of bread be consumed daily, however, because consumption of more than one serving of some low potassium foods may turn it into a high potassium food choice. In addition, bran and bran products must be avoided, as they are high in potassium.
Other Foods and Beverages
Coffee and tea are allowed on a low potassium diet, but coffee must be restricted to 8 ounces daily and tea to 16 ounces daily, according to the National Kidney Foundation. In addition, molasses, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, salt substitutes, salt-free broths, and most nuts must be restricted or avoided due to their high concentration of potassium.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute: Potassium
- DaVita: Kidney Disease and Potassium
- Cleveland Clinic: Potassium Guidelines for Patients with Heart Failure
- University of California, San Francisco Medical Center: Low Potassium Diet
- National Kidney Foundation: Potassium and your CKD diet
- Drugs.com: Potassium Content of Foods
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