If you have a medical condition such as chronic kidney disease or hyperkalemia -- high levels of potassium in your blood -- your doctor might have prescribed you a low-potassium diet. Potassium is difficult to avoid, as it is found in so many fruits, vegetables, red meats, poultry and dairy products. It helps to focus on foods with the highest potassium levels. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding potassium restriction.
Fruits
Bananas, a fruit often associated with potassium, does meet that threshold. A small banana has 467 mg of potassium, but many other fruits exceed that amount. One papaya has 781 mg of potassium. Guava, a tropical fruit popular in Indian and Pakistani cultures, has 688 mg of potassium per cup. Cantaloupe is also high in potassium, with 494 mg per cup.
Vegetables
Beetroot is filled with vitamins and minerals, and normally is one of the healthiest foods you can eat, but not if you need to watch your potassium levels. Two beetroots have 528 mg. A baked sweet potato, skin on, has 508 mg of potassium, and half of a medium-size avocado has 450. A cup of sliced tomatoes has 400 mg of potassium.
Protein
Red meat, poultry and pork all contain potassium, but so do other protein sources. Just 3 oz. of dark-meat turkey has 259 mg of potassium. The same amount of beef has 224 mg. Half a cup of pinto beans has 400 mg of potassium, and lentils have 365 mg per half cup. Three ounces of salmon offer 319 mg of potassium. Even peanut butter has about 107 mg of potassium per tablespoon.
Other Foods
A single tablespoon of molasses has a whopping 498 mg of potassium. A cup of 2-percent-fat milk contains 377 mg of potassium; 398 mg of potassium can be found in 6 oz. of yogurt and 217 mg in a cup of reduced-fat cottage cheese. Vegetable and fruit juices also contain potassium, with 707 mg in a cup of prune juice and 535 mg in the same serving size of tomato juice.
Concerns
You cannot live without potassium. It is an essential mineral needed to help power vital bodily functions. Seek advice from a nutritionist or a dietitian who specializes in kidney, or renal, diet planning. According to the National Kidney Foundation, it is possible to reduce potassium levels in some high-potassium vegetables. Peel and slice them thin under cold water, then rinse and soak in warm water for at least two hours, changing the water every four hours. Rinse the vegetables again, then cook in water in a 5-to-1 ratio, water to vegetables.
References
- Drugs.com; "Potassium Content of Foods"; August 11, 2011
- "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why"; Jonny Bowden; 2007
- National Kidney Foundation: Potassium and Your CDK Diet
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