Potassium is a mineral taken in though your diet. Excess amounts are filtered and removed by healthy kidneys. With kidney disease, your kidneys are unable to remove excess potassium, causing high levels of potassium to build in your blood. High potassium in the blood can cause an irregular heart beat or a heart attack. Depending on your stage of kidney disease and how well your kidney is still cleaning your blood, your potassium needs can vary.
Fruit
All fruits contain potassium -- some more then others -- so they need to be eaten in moderation to prevent taking in too much. Fruits high in potassium include, bananas, oranges, orange juice, honeydew and cantaloupe melon, kiwi, mango, papaya, pomegranate, pomegranate juice, prunes, prune juice, raisins and avocado. Fruits low in potassium that make a safer choice when eaten in moderation include berries, grapes, apples, cherries, tangerines, pineapple, peaches and pears. Talk to a dietitian to determine how many servings of fruit you are allowed per day.
Vegetables
Just like fruits, all vegetables contain potassium, but some are safer than others. High potassium vegetables that should be avoided are potatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach, mustard and collard greens, dried beans, tomatoes and tomato based sauces, acorn or butternut squash, cooked broccoli, raw carrots, mushrooms, rutabagas and pumpkin. Low potassium vegetables to choose from include iceberg lettuce, onions, bell peppers, green beans, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, zucchini, radishes, and rhubarb. Eat vegetables in moderation and talk to your health care team about your potassium restriction.
Grains
Whole grain products are high in potassium and should be limited. Whole grain foods include whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, bran cereal or muffins, oatmeal, and any other products that specify being whole grain on the package. Replace whole grains in your diet with refined grains such as white bread, pasta or rice. Choose cereals made with corn flakes or rice products. Grits and cream of wheat are low in potassium and are safe to include in your diet.
Dairy
Dairy foods like milk, cheese, ice cream and yogurt are high in potassium and need to be eaten in moderation. Be aware of foods that contain dairy products, as they also will contain more potassium like pizza, lasagna, cream based soups and sauces, pudding, or macaroni and cheese. Cream cheese is low in potassium is one cheese that is safe to eat with kidney disease. Rice milk or non dairy creamer can replace dairy milk.
References
- National Kidney Foundation: Potassium and Your CKD Diet
- "Nutrition and Related-Diagnosis Care Fifth Edition"; Chronic and End Stage Renal Failure; Sylvia Escott-Stump RD, LDN; 2002
