Foods To Eat To Lower Potassium

Potassium is a major mineral and electrolyte in the body responsible for water and acid-base balance, as well as heartbeat. Your kidneys are responsible for excreting potassium from the body. When they fail to do this efficiently, excess potassium builds in the bloodstream. This condition, known as hyperkalemia, is very dangerous. This occurs most commonly in people with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Some dietary guidelines may lower potassium levels, as well as modifications to certain foods. A doctor should always be involved in managing blood potassium levels.

Vegetables

Almost all foods contain potassium. Many vegetables are potassium-rich. Discard liquids from canned vegetables to decrease the amount of potassium. Leach vegetables to remove some of the potassium. To leach a vegetable, you first must peel and cut it into small pieces. Rinse it with water and place the vegetable pieces into a large pot of water. Let the vegetables soak for at least four hours at room temperature (or overnight in the refrigerator). After soaking, rinse the vegetables with clean water and cook as desired. Choose lower-potassium vegetables such as carrots, cucumber, cauliflower, eggplant, cabbage, green beans, lettuce, onions, summer squash, and sweet peppers and limit servings to 1/2 cup.

Fruits

Like vegetables, fruits are usually potassium-rich. Discard liquids from canned fruits. Canned fruits, without the juice or liquid, are low in potassium and should be chosen more often. Other lower-potassium fruits include apples, grapes, berries, lemons, peaches and canned pears, plums, pineapples and watermelon. Unlike vegetables, fruits cannot be leached to decrease the amount of potassium. Portion sizes should be limited, even for low-potassium produce. A registered dietitian specializing in nutrition for renal (kidney) disease should provide individualized recommendations, including which fruits and vegetables to choose and how much should be eaten to control potassium intake.

Milk and Milk Products

Dairy products are another potassium-rich food source. To control potassium intake for this food group (and control blood potassium levels), it's recommended that milk and milk products are limited in the diet and/or replaced with nondairy substitutes. Non-dairy creamers, enriched rice milk, sorbet or Popsicles, and non-dairy whipped topping are all low in potassium. Non-dairy creamer and/or unenriched rice milk should be used in place of potassium-rich regular cow's milk. Pudding may be prepared with non-dairy creamer to control potassium intake (as opposed to eating yogurt or pudding made with cow's milk).

Other Foods

Many salt substitutes and other seasonings are potassium-rich. These should be avoided to decrease potassium levels. Packaged foods labeled "low salt" or "low sodium" may contain potassium ingredients such as potassium chloride. Season foods with pepper, lemon or low-sodium herb and spice blends versus potassium-laden salt substitutes. Chocolate, nuts and seeds are high in potassium. Avoid chocolate desserts to control potassium intake. Choose vanilla- or lemon-flavored desserts instead. Additionally, substitute nuts and seeds with low-potassium snacks such as unsalted popcorn or pretzels, rice cakes or sweets such as jelly beans or hard candies.