High Potassium Diet

High Potassium Diet

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What is potassium?

Potassium is a nutrient found in food. The body uses it to:

  • Help keep the heartbeat normal.
  • Build and contract muscles.
  • Regulate blood pressure.
  • Help control the water balance in body tissues and cells.

The best sources of potassium come from fruits, vegetables, milk and foods made with milk. Most people get enough potassium in their diet.

Why is a high potassium diet needed?

Some drugs lower blood potassium levels. This includes drugs like lasix, amphotericin, ambisome, bumex and metolazone. This may increase the need for potassium. A high potassium diet may be ordered. A supplement may also be prescribed.

What foods are high in potassium?

The foods in this table have high levels of potassium per serving. Include 1 to 2 items at meal and snack time.

Dairy

High in potassium

  • Ice cream
  • Pudding
  • Cheese

Highest in potassium

  • Milk
  • Milkshakes 
  • Yogurt 

Fruits

High in potassium

  • Honeydew
  • Kiwi Mangos
  • Nectarines
  • Papayas Peach
  • Plums
  • Raisins
  • Rhubarb

Highest in potassium

  • Apricots
  • Apricot nectar
  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Cantaloupe
  • Dates 
  • Dried fruits
  • Oranges
  • Orange juice
  • Prunes
  • Prune juice 

Vegetables

High in potassium

  • Artichokes
  • Asparagus
  • Beets Broccoli
  • Brussel sprouts
  • Carrots Celery 
  • Dark green lettuce
  • Legumes
  • Mushrooms
  • Okra
  • Parsnips
  • Peas
  • Potatoes (boiled, mashed, chips)

Highest in potassium

  • Beans (Kidney, lima, pinto, refried, but not green or wax beans)
  • Greens
  • Lentils
  • Peas
  • Potatoes (baked, french fries, roasted) 
  • Pumpkin
  • Spinach
  • Sweet potatoes T
  • Tomatoes
  • Tomato juice
  • Vegetable juice
  • Carrot juice
  • Winter or Acorn squash

Combination foods

High in potassium

  • Casseroles made with high potassium foods.
  • Macaroni & cheese
  • Sandwiches with tomato, cheese or peanut butter

Highest in potassium

  • Pizza
  • Spaghetti sauce
  • Cream soups
  • Tomato products 

Other foods

High in potassium

  • Coconut Electrolyte drinks (Gatorade)
  • Granola
  • Molasses
  • Trail mix
  • Whole grain foods

Highest in potassium

  • Chocolate (candy, baked goods, milk, etc).  
  • Bran and  bran products
  • Nuts and nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew)
  • Sunflower seeds and sunflower seed butter
  • Soy and coconut milk
  • Coconut water

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.