Low potassium diet for babies and toddlers (1968)

Key points below

For babies and toddlers

Why does my baby 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. It also helps to control the body’s water balance.    
In kidney disease, and some other health conditions, potassium levels build up in the blood.  High levels may cause heart and muscle problems. A low potassium diet may help avoid these problems.

How do I choose foods with low potassium?

Many baby foods do have potassium information on the nutrition labels.  For those that do, use these numbers as guidelines to help you choose lower potassium infant foods:
Less than 150 mg per 4 ounce serving = low potassium
More than 150 mg per 4 ounce serving = high potassium

Examples of low and high potassium baby foods

Feed no more than one high potassium food every other day unless you are told otherwise. 

Low potassium foods

Fruits - Apples, apple juice, Pineapple, Peaches, Berries - all kinds, Pears and pear juice, Grape juice

Vegetables - Corn, Cauliflower, Green beans, Wax beans, Green peas, Zucchini

Protein - Beef, Chicken, Ham, Eggs, Pork, Turkey, Meats in gravy

Dinners and pouches - Dinners or pouches with noodles or rice and low potassium fruits and vegetables

Dairy - None

High potassium foods

Fruits - Apricots, Oranges, orange juice, Bananas, Pumpkin, Mangos, Prunes, Raisins, Plums

Vegetables - Sweet Potatoes,Tomatoes, Avocado, Beets, Broccoli, Carrots, Potatoes, Spinach or Kale, Squash

Protein - Dried beans - all varieties, Lentils, Tofu, Nuts and nut butters (peanut butter)

Dinners and pouches - Dinners or pouches with potatoes, cheese or tomatoes and high potassium fruits, vegetables or grains

Dairy - Milk, yogurt, cheese, custard

Formula and other liquids

Follow the direction of your baby’s renal dietitian, nurse or doctor about formula and other liquids for your baby.

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.