Low potassium diet (1969)

Key points below


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

 

 

High potassium food list continued..

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: 
  • Milk, any type       
  • Yogurt 
  • String cheese
  • Shredded or sliced cheese
  • Pudding     
  • Ice cream or frozen yogurt  
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.

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

 

 

Low potassium food list continued..

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 label

Tips

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.