by Maria Adams, MS, MPH, RD
En Espaol (Spanish Version) Potassium is a mineral found in many different foods, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, milk, dried beans, and peas. Potassium helps maintain normal blood pressure and also helps muscles, including the heart, to contract properly.
Your doctor may recommend following a low-potassium diet if you have kidney problems or are taking certain medications. If you have kidney problems, excess potassium can build up to dangerous levels in your blood. This can lead to confusion, irregular heartbeats , or a heart attack .
When combined with a low-sodium diet, a diet high in potassium can help lower high blood pressure . This can help lower the risk of stroke and other complications of high blood pressure. However, anyone with kidney problems should not follow a high-potassium diet without first checking with their doctor.
The following foods contain more than 200 milligrams of potassium per serving, and are therefore considered to be high in potassium.
Fruits
- Apricots
- Avocado whole
- Banana whole
- Cantaloupe cup
- Dates 5 whole
- Dried fruits cup
- Figs, dried cup
- Grapefruit juice cup
- Honeydew cup
- Kiwi 1 medium
- Mango 1 medium
- Nectarine 1 medium
- Orange 1 medium
- Orange juice cup
- Papaya whole
- Pomegranate 1 whole
- Pomegranate juice cup
- Prunes cup
- Prune juice cup
- Raisins cup
Vegetables
(All portions are cup)Acorn squashArtichokeBamboo shootsBaked beansButternut squashBeets, fresh then boiledBlack beansBrussels sproutsChinese cabbageCarrots, rawDried beans and peasGreens, except KaleHubbard squashKohlrabiLentilsLegumesMushrooms, cannedParsnipsPotatoes, white and sweetPumpkinRefried beansRutabagasSpinach, cookedTomatoes, tomato productsVegetable juicesOther FoodsBran/Bran Products cupChocolate 1.5-2 ouncesGranola cupMilk, all types 1 cupMolasses 1 tablespoonNutritional supplementsNuts and seeds 1 ouncePeanut butter 2 tablespoonsSalt substitutes cupSalt free broth cupYogurt cupOtherSnuff/chewing tobacco Low-potassium FoodsThe following foods are considered to be low in potassium. Realize, however, that eating more than one of serving of any of these foods can make it a high-potassium food.All servings are cup unless otherwise noted.FruitsApple 1 mediumApple juiceApple sauceApricots, canned in juiceBlackberriesBlueberriesCherriesCranberriesFruit cocktailGrapesGrape juiceGrapefruit, wholeMandarin orangesPeachesFresh 1 smallCanned cupPearsFresh 1 smallCanned cupPineapplePineapple juicePlums 1 wholeRaspberriesStrawberriesTangerine 1 wholeWatermelon limit to 1 cupVegetablesAlfalfa sproutsAsparagus 6 spearsBeans, wax or greenCabbage, green and redCarrots, cookedCauliflowerCelery 1 stalk Corn Fresh earFrozen cupCucumberEggplantKaleLeached potatoes*LettuceMixed vegetablesMushrooms, freshOkraOnionsParsleyPeas, greenPeppersRadishRhubarbWaterChestnuts, cannedWatercress*To leach potatoes: Peel and cut them into small pieces. Then soak them in a large amount of water for at least two hours. (Use at least 5 cups of water for every cup of potatoes.) Drain, rinse, and cook as desired.
Other FoodsRiceNoodlesPastaBread and bread products (*not whole grains)Cake angel, yellowCoffee limit to 8 ouncesPies without chocolate or high-potassium foodsCookies without nuts or chocolateTea limit to 16 ounces RESOURCES: American Dietetic Associationhttp://www.eatright.org National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)http://www.niddk.nih.gov/ Nutrition.govhttp://nutrition.gov CANADIAN RESOURCES: Dietitians of Canadahttp://www.dietitians.ca/ Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canadahttp://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/ The Kidney Foundation of Canadahttp://www.kidney.ca/ References: Knapp S. Tips for surviving the holidays. The ESRD Network of New York website. Available at: http://www.esrdnetworks.org/networks/net2/main/patients_holidays.htm. Accessed February 13, 2006. Potassium and your CKD diet. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: http://www.kidney.org/atozPrint.cfm?id=103. Accessed January 23, 2006. Potassium food List. VA Medical Center, Portland, Oregon. Available at: http://www.va.gov/portland/Education/PatientEd/Documents/Nutrition/Potassium_Food_List.pdf. Accessed January 23, 2006. Shield J, Mullen MC. Patient Education Materials . Supplement to the Manual of Clinical Dietetics. 3rd ed. Chicago, Il: American Dietetic Association; 2001.
Last reviewed February 2006 by Diane Norwood, MS, RD, CDEPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
