Potassium is an essential mineral that helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve function (2). A low potassium diet is often recommended for people who have kidney disease or are taking certain medications (2). While a low potassium diet may seem restrictive, there are many delicious foods that are low in potassium. This article provides a list of the best foods to eat on a low potassium diet menu, as well as some tips on what to avoid.
A low potassium diet is a diet that contains less than 2,000 mg of potassium per day (2). For most people, this means eating less than six to eight servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
People with advanced kidney disease or those taking certain medications may need to limit their intake to even less, depending on their healthcare team’s recommendations.
Hyperkalemia is a condition in which there is too much potassium in the blood. The body needs a delicate balance of potassium to maintain normal cell function. When this balance is upset, it can cause problems like an irregular heartbeat or even heart failure (1).
For most people, the body can easily regulate potassium levels in the blood and hyperkalemia is not likely to happen. However, some illnesses, injuries, medications, or diseases disrupt the body’s ability to regulate potassium levels. If potassium levels in the blood become too high, it can be life-threatening. These people may need to follow a low potassium diet to help keep their potassium levels in check:
The kidneys play a major role in regulating potassium levels in the body. When they are not working properly, potassium can build up to dangerous levels. People with kidney problems are at a higher risk for hyperkalemia and may need to follow a low potassium diet (2).
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There are some medications that can cause hyperkalemia as a side effect.
These include certain blood pressure medications, water pills (diuretics), and potassium-sparing diuretics (2). If you take any of these medications, be sure to talk to your doctor about the risks of hyperkalemia and whether or not you need to follow a low potassium diet.
There are many foods that are high in potassium that people need to avoid when following a low potassium diet. These foods include:
These lower-potassium foods may be included in your diet in moderation.
The serving sizes for each food will vary depending on your potassium goals. Talk to your doctor or dietitian to come up with a plan that is right for you.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, these are the serving sizes of various foods. Your dietitian can tell you how many servings of each food you should aim to eat per meal or per day (3):
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Here is a sample menu for a low potassium diet.
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If you do not follow a low potassium diet and your potassium levels become too high, it can lead to (1):
You may need to be hospitalized if your potassium levels become dangerously high. Medications and intravenous fluids may be necessary to bring your levels back to normal.
Do:
Don’t:
If you have any questions about following a low potassium diet, talk to your doctor or dietitian. They can help you create a plan that is right for you.
Just because you’re on a low potassium diet doesn’t mean you have to eat all of your meals at home. Here are some tips for eating out:
Plan ahead and look up the menu online before you go. This way you can see what low potassium options are available.
To have more choices when you’re at the restaurant, try avoiding higher potassium foods earlier in the day. This way you’ll have more allowance to enjoy a higher potassium meal later on.
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Don’t be afraid to make special requests when you’re ordering your food. Most restaurants are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Salad bars can be tempting, but they are often high in potassium due to all of the toppings. If the restaurant has a salad bar, it’s best to avoid it.
If you’re worried about portion sizes, try sharing your food with a friend or family member. This way you can still enjoy a restaurant meal without overeating.
When ordering your food, request that no additional salt be added. This will help reduce your sodium intake.
Don’t be afraid to make special requests. Most restaurants are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions.
If there is an option on the menu that sounds good but is high in potassium, ask if it can be prepared a different way.
Many sauces and dressings are high in sodium and potassium. Ask for them to be prepared on the side so you can control how much you eat.
Even if a food is relatively low in potassium, eating too much of it can still cause your potassium levels to rise. Be sure to control your portion size and only eat until you are full.
Eating out on a low potassium diet doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little planning, you can enjoy a meal at your favorite restaurant without worrying about your potassium levels.
It can be difficult to find low potassium foods when eating at a restaurant. However, there are still some options available.
Here is the general potassium content of some common ethnic cuisines:
While Chinese food can be high in sodium, there are still some low potassium options available. Try lower-potassium vegetables such as snow peas, string beans, water chestnuts, bean sprouts, or bok choy
Mexican food is often high in potassium due to the beans and vegetables used in many dishes. Avoid salsa verde, guacamole refried beans, and black beans. Opt for lower-potassium options such as flour tortillas, chicken, or shrimp.
Many Italian dishes are high in potassium due to the tomato sauce used in them. Avoid pasta with marinara sauce, spaghetti with meatballs, and lasagna. Opt for plain pasta, white pizza, or chicken parmesan.
Unfortunately, many soul food dishes are high in potassium.
To lower the potassium content, avoid foods such as sweet potatoes, collard greens, and black-eyed peas. Opt for white rice, fried chicken without the skin, or green beans.
A low potassium diet is essential for some people with kidney disease. However, following this diet doesn’t mean you have to give up eating out at your favorite restaurants. With a little planning, you can still enjoy a meal away from home.
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