Foods low in potassium include most refined fats and oils, grains like cornmeal, white rice, and pasta, cheeses like soft goat cheese, and blueberries, eggs, leeks, Napa cabbage, and chia seeds. Boiling vegetables in water and discarding the water can help reduce their potassium and electrolyte content.
Many fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in potassium: Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew, apricots, grapefruit (some dried fruits, such as prunes, raisins, and dates, are also high in potassium)
Low potassium vegetables include cilantro, alfalfa sprouts, lettuce, arugula, kale, Napa cabbage, leeks, spaghetti squash, sweet onions, eggplant, and more. For more low potassium vegetable ideas, see the complete ranking of over 200 vegetables low in potassium.
Taking water pills or potassium binders, as directed by your healthcare provider. Some people may also need medicine to help remove extra potassium from the body and keep it from coming back. This may include: Water pills (diuretics) help rid your body of extra potassium.
In short, most meats, fish, and seafood are considered high in potassium. Some of the lowest potassium meats are clams, oysters, and tuna. Chicken and turkey aren't considered low potassium meats, but they are lower than other types of meats.
Most meats add some potassium to your meals. Chicken breast has the most per 3-ounce serving with 332 milligrams, but beef and turkey breast contain 315 and 212 milligrams, respectively.
Low-potassium veggie choices
Veggies that contain less than 200 mg per serving include: asparagus (6 spears) broccoli (half-cup) carrots (half-cup cooked)
How much potassium is in an egg? One large egg contains about 63 mg of potassium. 1 Eggs are considered a low-potassium food, but check with your doctor or dietitian to find out how often you should eat them.
Strawberries are a low potassium food, containing 130 mg for ½ cup. They are also low in sodium and phosphorus making them a good choice for all the following kidney conditions and treatments: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)/Transplant.
Kiwifruit. Bananas tend to get all the credit when it comes to potassium-rich fruits, but a single small kiwifruit has nearly as much potassium, at 215 milligrams, as an entire banana.
A ½ cup serving of blueberries has less than 150 milligrams potassium making them a low potassium fruit choice. Blueberries are also low in sodium and phosphorus making them suitable for a kidney friendly diet. They are safe to eat for all of the following kidney conditions and treatments: CKD/Transplant.
Traditionally, white bread was recommended for people with kidney disease because it has less potassium and phosphorus.
Broccoli is a medium potassium food, low in sodium and phosphorus, and suitable for all the following kidney conditions and treatments: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Transplant.
Tomatoes are high in potassium, but pasta is served with many sauces that are not tomato-based. If you must select a dish with tomato sauce, ask that it be served on the side. Be cautious – Soul food is often high in potassium. Avoid black-eyed peas, dried beans, cooked greens, spinach, yams, and sweet potato pie.
Carbohydrate (Starchy food)
Most breads and cereals are good choices as they are low in potassium.
Fruits and Vegetables
For fruit, snack on apples, berries, grapes, peaches, pears, plums or watermelon. Try fruit salad or fruit kebabs if your usual fruit snacks are boring. Low-potassium veggies include carrots, cucumbers, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower and corn.
Dairy and dairy products are also known to be a source of potassium. While not considered a high potassium food, the potassium in cheese should absolutely be made aware. On average, one ounce of cheese will provide about 35 milligrams of potassium.
Chocolate and nuts contain high amounts of phosphorus and potassium.
Onions: Another great way to add flavor to any food, onions have health benefits, too. They are low in potassium and rich in flavonoids–a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce heart disease and protect against cancer.
A 1-cup serving of raw pineapple chunks weighing approximately 165 grams contains 180 milligrams of potassium. This amount supplies 3.8 percent of the amount of potassium that the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board recommends for healthy adult men and women per day.