Hyperkalemia is a severe condition where a person's blood potassium level is more than 7.0 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). This can be dangerous or even deadly, if not treated immediately. In most cases, inability of the kidneys to filter out excess potassium from the body or an increased production of the mineral in the body, causes hyperkalemia. A diet that is low in potassium is important to manage this condition, especially when the underlying cause is a kidney disease.
Foods Low in Potassium
Almost all foods contain some amount of potassium. A diet to manage hyperkalemia, must include foods that are low in potassium. However, it is more important to monitor the serving size of what you are eating. Eating a large amount of a food that is low in potassium, may actually contribute more potassium than a small serving of a food that is rich in the mineral. So, paying attention to the portion size is the key.
Foods that offer less than 100 mg of potassium per serving, are categorized into low potassium foods. Some common examples of such foods are as follows:
* To print any list, click anywhere on the table containing it.
Low Potassium Fruits
| Fruits | Serving size | K (mg) |
| Pear nectar, canned | 1 ounce (28 g) | 3.6 |
| Cranberry sauce, sweetened | 1 ounce (28 g) | 7.3 |
| Peach nectar, canned | 1 ounce (28 g) | 11.2 |
| Pears, canned, water pack | 1 ounce (28 g) | 14.8 |
| Applesauce, canned, unsweetened | 1 ounce (28 g) | 20.7 |
| Blueberries, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 21.6 |
| Cranberry juice, canned, unsweetened | 1 ounce (28 g) | 21.6 |
| Cranberries, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 23.8 |
| Apples, raw, peeled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 25.2 |
| Peaches, canned, water pack | 1 ounce (28 g) | 27.7 |
| Apple juice, canned, unsweetened | 1 ounce (28 g) | 28.3 |
| Grape juice, canned, unsweetened | 1 ounce (28 g) | 29.1 |
| Pineapple, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 30.5 |
| Watermelon, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 31.4 |
| Pineapple juice, canned, unsweetened | 1 ounce (28 g) | 36.4 |
| Grapefruit, raw, pink and red | 1 ounce (28 g) | 37.8 |
| Lemon, raw, peeled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 38.6 |
| Raspberries, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 42.3 |
| Strawberries, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 42.8 |
| Plums, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 44.0 |
| Blackberries, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 45.4 |
| Tangerines, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 46.5 |
| Grapes, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 53.5 |
| Sweet cherries, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 62.2 |
| K = Potassium | ||
| Vegetables | Serving size | K (mg) |
| Alfalfa sprouts, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 22.1 |
| Leeks, cooked, boiled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 24.4 |
| Collards, cooked, boiled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 32.5 |
| Eggplant, cooked, boiled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 34.4 |
| Cucumber, raw, peeled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 38.1 |
| Iceberg lettuce, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 39.5 |
| Cauliflower, cooked, boiled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 39.8 |
| Green beans, cooked, boiled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 40.9 |
| Onions, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 40.9 |
| Peppers, green, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 49.0 |
| Turnips, cooked, boiled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 53.5 |
| Cabbage, cooked, boiled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 54.9 |
| Carrots, cooked, boiled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 65.8 |
| Corn, yellow, frozen, boiled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 65.2 |
| Zucchini, cooked, boiled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 70.8 |
| Celery, raw | 1 ounce (28 g) | 72.8 |
| Radishes, cooked, boiled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 79.8 |
| Mushrooms, cooked, boiled | 1 ounce (28 g) | 99.7 |
| K = Potassium | ||
| Foods | Serving size | K (mg) |
| Bacon, cooked | 1 ounce (28 g) | 100 |
| Lean beef, cooked | 1 ounce (28 g) | 100 |
| Cottage Cheese | 1/4 cup | 100 |
| Chicken, cooked | 1 ounce (28 g) | 100 |
| Egg | 1 | 100 |
| Tuna | cup | 100 |
| Ham, cooked | 1 ounce (28 g) | 100 |
| Sausage, cooked | 1 ounce (28 g) | 100 |
| Turkey, cooked | 1 ounce (28 g) | 100 |
| Bread | 1 ounce (28 g) | 35 |
| Bun | 1 ounce (28 g) | 35 |
| Cereal, cooked | cup | 35 |
| Pasta | cup | 35 |
| Rice | 1/3 cup | 35 |
| Coffee | 1 cup | 80-100 |
| Tea | 1 cup | 80-100 |
| K = Potassium | ||
Note: Meat, fish and poultry products are generally high potassium foods. So, their consumption in a low potassium diet is allowed but only in limited amounts. Given that, it is advised to limit the consumption of these food types to the serving size mentioned in the list above. Also, avoid salted, spiced, smoked, canned and pickled meat.
Easy Low Potassium Recipes
People with hyperkalemia are advised to limit their daily potassium intake to approximately 2000 mg. Here are some recipes whose potassium content is below this figure.
Grapple Salad
This recipe is as quick as it sounds.
Ingredients:
Apple slices, with skin - cup
Grapes, red, seedless - cup
Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb Blend - 1 tsp.
Direction:
Mix the fruits, sprinkle the Garlic and Herb Blend, and serve.
Lettuce and Cucumber Salad
A healthy, low potassium salad recipe.
Ingredients:
Cucumber, peeled, chopped -
Onion, small, chopped - 2
Iceberg lettuce, chopped - 4 cups
Lemon juice - 2 tsp.
Vinegar - 1 tsp.
Chili powder - tsp.
Salt and pepper to taste
Direction:
Mix the vegetables in a dish. Add vinegar, salt, pepper, chili powder, lemon juice, and mix again before serving.
Strawberry Sandwich
A delicious low potassium sandwich you can make in no time.
Ingredients:
Cream cheese, low fat - 3 tbsp.
Strawberries, sliced - 1 cup
Pita bread, whole wheat - 1 slice
Fresh mint - 1 twig
Direction:
Mash cup of strawberries, and mix them well with cream cheese. Now, cut the pita bread into half. Open the pockets, and evenly fill each half with the mixture. Stuff the remaining berries into the pockets. Warm a pan, and spray it with a nonstick spray. Grill both side of the stuffed breads until golden. Garnish the sandwiches with mint while serving.
The severity of hyperkalemia may vary from person to person. So, it is best to seek a certified nutritionist's advice regarding the serving size of foods you should eat to manage the condition better. Hyperkalemia is a serious medical condition, and given its mild symptoms, it may be difficult to diagnose. Its main symptoms include abnormal pulse, muscle fatigue, nausea, paralysis, and weakness. If you have any of these symptoms, then seek medical help immediately.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a certified nutritionist.
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