Potassium lowering dietary advice

What is potassium?

Potassium is a mineral which is found naturally in many foods. Some potassium is needed as part of a healthy diet. It is required to ensure healthy functioning muscles, including your heart muscle.

Why do renal patients have to control potassium?

The amount of potassium in your blood is normally controlled by your kidneys; however, when your kidneys are not working properly the amount of potassium in your blood can rise.

High levels of potassium in your blood can be dangerous as it can affect the rhythm of your heart.

How do I follow a low potassium diet?

This leaflet will show you how to replace high potassium foods with suitable, lower potassium alternatives.

Carbohydrates (starchy foods)

Carbohydrates, also known as starchy foods, provide energy, vitamins and fibre. Some starchy foods such as bread, rice and pasta are low in potassium and can be eaten freely.

Others such as potato, sweet potato, yam are high in potassium and need to be limited.

Fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables provide us with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamins B and C, and are a good source of fibre. However, many fruits and vegetables are high in potassium so it is important to choose the lower potassium varieties.

You should aim to eat five portions of fruit/vegetables each day, using the list to choose the lower potassium options.

A portion is 80g (3oz) – a small handful of fruit or two heaped serving spoons of vegetables.

Potassium lowering cooking tips for vegetables

The way you cook your food (especially potatoes and vegetables) can affect its potassium content. When they are boiled, some of the potassium is lost into the cooking water and this reduces the potassium content of the food.

For this reason you should:

• Cut potatoes and vegetables into small pieces.
• Peel potatoes before boiling where possible
• Boil potatoes and vegetables in a large amount of water. After boiling, throw the cooking water away – do not use it to make soup, gravy etc.
• Once boiled, potatoes and vegetables can be roasted, mashed, fried or added to soups, stews, sauces etc.

Fruit

• You may be advised not to have grapefruit if you are taking certain medications. Please check with your Dr if you are unsure.
• Drain off all juice from canned fruits before eating.
• Star fruit can cause dangerous side effects for people with kidney problems. Therefore, it is recommended that you avoid them.

Vegetables

Milk and dairy products

Milk and dairy products provide essential nutrients such as calcium, which is needed for healthy bones and teeth, and protein, which is needed for growth and repair of tissues. However, milk is quite high in potassium so should be limited.

Meat, fish and alternatives

Pulses, such as chickpeas or red lentils, can be included as a source of protein to replace meat or fish in a vegetarian meal. However, try to choose the pulses that are low to moderate in potassium, as per the vegetable list.

Snacks and sweet foods

If you have been advised to follow a diet low in salt or sugar, some of these foods may not be suitable. Please ask your dietitian if you are unsure.

Drinks and alcohol

If you are on a fluid restriction, remember to include all drinks in this.

It is important that you follow your medical team’s advice regarding alcohol.

Miscellaneous foods

*Salt substitutes such as Lo-salt, So-Lo and low sodium salt contain potassium instead of sodium, and therefore should be avoided.

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

The renal dietitians are happy to be contacted with any questions or concerns you may have.

Telephone number: 01223 216655.