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.
Chicken and turkey are the best meat choices, but you'll still need to watch portion size. One chicken thigh or drumstick has 130 to 165 milligrams of potassium. One-half chicken breast has 220 milligrams and 3 ounces of turkey range from 244 to 256 milligrams.
Red meat. Some types of protein may be harder for the kidneys, or the body in general, to process. These include red meat.
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.
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.
Traditionally, white bread was recommended for people with kidney disease because it has less potassium and phosphorus.
A plate of beef and potatoes – the quintessential Midwestern diet – is high in potassium. But another hearty meal, chicken and carrots, is considerably lower. 3 ounces (oz) of roast beef and half a cup of boiled potatoes would amount to 575 mg of potassium.
Popular fish like salmon, mackerel, halibut, tuna and snapper all have more than 400 milligrams of potassium in a 3-ounce filet.
Fresh or frozen red meats without breading, marinades or sauce are better choices for a kidney diet. On average, fresh meat contains 65 mg of phosphorus per ounce and 7 grams of protein per ounce. Seafood is an excellent source of low-fat, high-quality protein.
The lowest in this category is chicken wings, which is 206 milligrams per 100-gram serving (about 3.5 ounces). One chicken wing is approximately 1 ounce. The 100-gram serving is approximately 3-4 chicken wings. A chicken drumstick is approximately 104 grams and has 239 milligrams of potassium in 100 grams.
You may be wondering what types of foods you can and cannot eat on your low-potassium diet. In general, meat and fish aren't considered high-potassium foods.
Some medications lower potassium slowly, including: Water pills (diuretics), which rid the body of extra fluids and remove potassium through urine. Sodium bicarbonate, which temporarily shifts potassium into body cells. Albuterol, which raises blood insulin levels and shifts potassium into body cells.
Most breads and cereals are good choices as they are low in potassium.
If you're not a seafood lover, red meat (including lean beef), chicken, and turkey also provide good amounts of potassium.
Medium-potassium foods (50 to 200 mg per serving):
½ cup of fresh or cooked carrots (180)
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.
Fish and seafood
Cod, flounder, halibut, whitefish, catfish, salmon, tuna steaks and shrimp are good choices for your kidney diet.
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. The cheese with the most potassium is processed cheese (like the cheese-in-a-can products).
Whole grain pasta and spaghetti squash are both considered low potassium.