Low Potassium Diet

Low Potassium Diet

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Why does my child need a low potassium diet?

Potassium is a nutrient found in food. It helps the body keep a regular heartbeat, contract muscles and control blood pressure.    
In kidney disease, and some other medical conditions, potassium levels build up in the blood.  High potassium levels may cause heart and muscle problems.  A low potassium diet may help avoid these problems.

High potassium food list

May only choose up to 2 servings of a high potassium food per day

 Fruits:
  • Apricot juice
  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Cantaloupe
  • Mangos
  • Nectarines
  • Oranges
  • Orange juice
  • Papayas 
  • Plums
  • Prunes
  • Raisins
  • Rhubarb

Vegetables:
  • Artichokes
  • Beans, dried  
  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Carrots
  • Celery Greens
  • Dark green lettuce
  • Lentils
  • Legumes
  • Mushrooms
  • Parsnips
  • Spinach
  • Potatoes (baked, boiled, chips, french fries, mashed)
  • Rutabaga
  • Tomatoes
  • Tomato & V8 juice

Other Foods:
  • Bran & bran products
  • Chocolate (candy, baked goods, milk, etc.) 
  • Coconut
  • Granola
  • Molasses 
  • Nuts & nut butters
  • 100% Whole Grain
  • Brown rice 

Combination foods: 
  • Casseroles made with high potassium foods
  • Macaroni & cheese
  • Pizza
  • Spaghetti
  • Sandwiches with tomato, cheese or peanut butter 

 Dairy Products:

You may have plain or vanilla rice milk (do not use soy, almond or coconut milk.) Non-dairy creamer can be used to replace milk on cereal.

  
  • Milk, any type       
  • Yogurt 
  • String cheese
  • Shredded or sliced cheese
  • Pudding     
  • Ice cream or frozen yogurt
Low potassium food list

These foods may be eaten as desired.  If you have any questions about a food that is not listed please contact your dietitian.

 Fruits:  
  • Apples
  • Apple juice
  • Blueberries
  • Cherries
  • Cranberries
  • Cranberry juice 
  • Grapes
  • Lemonade 
  • Mandarin Oranges
  • Pears
  • Pear juice
  • Pineapple
  • Pineapple juice
  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries
  • Watermelon

Vegetables:
  • Asparagus
  • Bean, green or wax
  • Bean sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant, cooked
  • Iceberg lettuce
  • Okra, cooked
  • Onions
  • Peas, green
  • Radish
  • Summer squash
  • Zucchini

Other foods:
  • Bread & baked goods
  • Cake & cookies (no chocolate)
  • Cereal (no bran or 100% whole grain)
  • Fish
  • Meat
  • Poultry
  • Non-chocolate candy 
  • Pasta
  • Pie (no chocolate, pumpkin or cream)
  • White Rice 

Combo foods:
  • Casseroles with low potassium ingredients
  • Meat sandwich on white bread
  • Tacos (no tomatoes) 

Nutrition Facts labels

  • Nutrition Facts labels must list the amount of potassium in a packaged food. The amount will be listed in milligrams (mg) and also as a percent (%).
  • When reading the Nutrition Facts label, always look at the serving size. Many foods have more than 1 serving. 
  • When eating more than 1 serving you will get more potassium.
  • Limiting high potassium foods to two servings a day works well for most people. 
  • If you want to count total potassium from all foods, talk to your dietitian for the right amount. It is specific for each child. 
  • When potassium is only listed as a percent on the food label, follow this info. It will help you know if a food is high or low in potassium.
    • Low potassium foods have 0 to 5% potassium per serving.
    • High potassium foods have 6% or more potassium per serving.
  • On this food label, this food has 7% potassium per 1 serving. It is a high potassium food.

Nutrition label for 1969

Tips

  • Do not use salt substitutes with potassium chloride. This includes NoSalt™, NuSalt™ or Lite Salt™.  Use herbs and spices like Mrs. Dash®, garlic, or lemon juice as seasoning.
  • Do not use sports drinks or Coconut Waters. They contain more added potassium and sodium than other beverages.
  • Root vegetables, such as potatoes, that are high potassium can be “leached.”  Peel the potatoes and cut in small pieces. Soak in a large pan of water for several hours.  Pour off the water and then cook as normal.  
  • Use trusted websites when looking for renal diet information.  We recommend:
    o http://www.Kidney.org    
    o http://www.Davita.com 

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.