Potassium in the Diet

Potassium is found in many foods we eat.  The greatest sources of potassium in the diet are fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, and milk. 

You may need to limit or increase the potassium in your diet.  Your doctor or nurse will instruct you on the diet that is best for you.

Attached, please find categories that list LOW, MODERATE, or HIGH in Potassium, based on a one cup serving.

Potassium Restricted Diet

Potassium is an important mineral found in our bodies.  It is responsible for maintaining many bodily functions.  Thus, your body needs potassium to function properly. 

Potassium is widely distributed in the foods we eat.  The greatest sources of potassium in the diet are fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, and milk.  In contrast, most processed foods, such as canned vegetables, ready-to-eat cereals, and luncheon meats contain more sodium and less potassium.

Why Limit Potassium?  Potassium levels in the body need to be kept in balance; not too high and not too low.  In healthy people, the body keeps potassium in check, but in certain people, a diet is necessary to monitor the amount of potassium in the diet.  In your case, potassium levels are too high and can cause changes in the muscle action of your heart, causing it to beat irregularly.  Restricting the amount of potassium in the diet may prevent this.

General Guidelines to Limit Potassium Intake in the Diet

·        Limit intake of high potassium foods, especially meats, fish, poultry, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

·        Used canned fruits and vegetables whenever possible as they contain less potassium than the fresh form due to the leaching of potassium into the canned liquid.  Be sure not to drink this canned liquid.

·        Consult your physician if you wish to use salt substitutes as some are more than 50% potassium.

·        Some allowed foods might need to be restricted if you are          also on a sodium restricted diet.

 Two Gram Potassium Diet

 

Foods	Number of Servings Allowed	Foods Recommended
Breads & Cereals	4 or more servings per day Avoid whole grain breads and cereals	White bread, rolls; dry cereals (3/4 cup); hot cereals (1/2 cup); pasta, rice (1/2 cup cooked); crackers (3-1” squares); muffin, biscuit, pancake, waffle plain, tortilla (1 ea); pretzels (1/3 oz); popcorn (1 cup); plain cookies (1)
Vegetables	Limit to 2 servings per day ½ cup = 1 serving	Asparagus, green or wax beans, eggplant, bean sprouts, beets, carrots (cooked), cauliflower, celery, corn (1 small ear), cucumbers, (1/2 medium), lettuce (1/2 cup), onion, green peas, green pepper, summer squash
Fruits & Juices	Limit to 3 servings per day ½ cup = 1 serving	Apple (1 small); apple juice, blueberries, boysenberries, cranberries, fruit cocktail, grapes, grape juice, lemon, pear (1/2 medium), canned pears, pineapple, raspberries, watermelon, strawberries (1/2 cup)
Milk	1 serving per day ½ cup = 1 serving	Low fat milk, buttermilk; yogurt; whipping cream (3/4 cup); ice cream; pudding or custard, sour cream
Meat, Fish, Egg	6 ounces (cooked weight)	Beef, lamb, pork, lunch meats; chicken
Poultry & Cheese		turkey, fish, shellfish, egg, cheese