Diet Information

Potassium

Potassium is a mineral. Healthy kidneys maintain a normal balance by eliminating any excess potassium in the urine. Diseased kidneys are unable to get rid of the potassium adequately. Consequently, the amount of potassium in the blood may increase to dangerously elevated levels. This may cause an irregular heartbeat and occur without any warning. High levels of potassium can even cause the heart to stop.

The dialysis patient needs to maintain a level of potassium in the blood, between 3.5 and 5.5 milliequivalents per liter. It is easier for the patient who still urinates to control potassium. The following is a list of high potassium foods which should either be avoided or carefully included into your diet by working with the renal dietician. Remember these are average values. The size of the portion is the secret of the diet, as almost all foods have
potassium. Please pay particular attention to your monthly blood levels of potassium. Your diet is usually limited to around 2000 milligrams per day.

Food and Milligrams of Potassium

Anon, ½ cup 279

Orange, Fresh, 1 medium 263

Apricots, Canned ½ cup 302

Orange Juice, ½ cup 241

Artichoke, 1 cooked 301

Peanut Butter, 3 ½ tbsp 410

Avocado, cubed ½ cup 453

Peanuts, ½ cup 485

Baked Beans, 1 cup 630

Potato, baked 1 medium 782

Black-eyed Peas, ½ cup canned 352

Potato, instant mashed ½ cup 300

Broccoli, 1 stalk 382

Potato, French fries 10 427

Brussel Sprouts, 6-8 cooked 273

Potato, Sweet, 1 sm. baked 300

Calabaza, winter squash ½ cup 337

Prune Juice, ½ cup 350

Cantaloupe, ½ 684

Prunes, 10 745

Carrots, raw, 1 large 341

Red Kidney Beans, ½ cup 340

Coconut Milk, ½ cup 232

Salt, Light 1 tsp. 1500

Cream of Pea Soup, 1 cup 377

Salt-Substitute, 1 tsp. 2800

Cream of Tomato Soup, 1 can 450

Spinach, ½ cup cooked 291

Figs, dried 5 666

Tangelo, 1 medium 296

Filet Mignon Steak, 8 oz 1089

Tomato, canned 1 cup 523

Grapefruit Juice, ½ cup 200

Tomato, fresh 1 medium 300

Hershey’s Kisses, 10 174

Tomato Juice, ½ cup 552

Honeydew Melon, 1 cup cubed 427

Tomato Paste, ½ cup 1110

Lentils, cooked 2/3 cup 250

V-8 Juice, ½ cup 264

Lima Beans, ½ cup 420

Watercress, ½ cup 335

Milk, evaporated, 1 cup 752

Yogurt, fruit flavored 1 cup 402

Milk, whole or skim, 1 cup 350

Yucca, ½ cup 260

Molasses, 2 tbsp. 600

Nectarine, 1 medium 288

Potassium Modified Diet

In general, canned fruits and vegetables are lower in potassium than fresh or frozen. The following is a list of various foods that are high in potassium and should be avoided.

High Potassium Fruit

Apricot

Avocado

Banana

Cantaloupe

Date

Fig

Honeydew

Mango

Nectarine

Orange

Papaya

Plum

Prune

Raisins

Tomato Juice

Vegetable Juice

Watermelon

Apricot Nectar

Orange Juice

High Potassium Vegetables

Artichoke

Beans, any dried

Broccoli

Brussel Sprouts

French Fries

Parsnips

Pumpkin

Potato

Lima Beans

Spinach

Tomato

Winter Squash

Rhubarb

Grapefruit Juice

Prune Juice

Other High Potassium Foods

Bran Cereal Chocolate Candy

Coconut Molasses

Milk (4 oz. Daily is ok) Nuts

In general, canned fruits and vegetables are lower in potassium than fresh or frozen. The following is a list compiled of various low potassium foods.