The kidneys normally regulate levels of serum potassium in your body. Doctors recommend low-potassium diets for patients whose kidneys are no longer able to perform that function. The National Kidney Foundation notes that most nephrologists recommend that adult kidney patients with high serum potassium levels limit their potassium intake to less than 2,000 to 3,000 mg per day. As a convenience, the NKF defines high-potassium foods as those with 200 to 250 mg potassium per serving. You can lower your serum potassium levels by replacing high-potassium foods with low-potassium ones.
Breakfasts
A low-potassium breakfast might include an omelet with low-potassium vegetables such as green pepper, onion and mushrooms. Breakfast breads such as toast, bagels and English muffins are good choices, as is French toast or pancakes. Just be sure to avoid orange juice and fruit salads that contain oranges, tangerines and cantaloupe as these are high-potassium foods.
Dinner Ideas
Healthy low-potassium meats include chicken, fish and lean cuts of beef and pork. Low-potassium vegetables include carrots, peas, okra, summer squashes cauliflower and eggplant. Either brown or white rice is acceptable carbohydrate, as is plain, buttered pasta. Just steer clear of broccoli, potatoes, winter squash, avocado and sweet potato. Healthy low-potassium desserts can include apple and pineapple.
Dining Out
Dining out and celebrating special occasions requires a little bit of advance planning. Many restaurant menus are available online so exploring your options in advance is helpful. If you are dining at a friend's house, anticipate the inevitable problems and try to avoid them by speaking to your host beforehand. You may want to intentionally eat less potassium than normal during the day so that you can enjoy special occasions in the evening.
Tips
Food manufacturers are not required to provide information about the potassium content in foods on the package so do a little research when planning low-potassium meals. Lowering your serum potassium will be easier if you use a potassium counter such as the one provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database.
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