First line advice for
reducing potassium in
your diet
Information for patients
Sheffield Dietetics
page 2 of 8
Introduction
This information booklet has been given to you to help you to reduce
the amount of potassium in your diet.
What is potassium?
Potassium is a mineral which is found in a wide variety of foods. Some
of the potassium in the human body is provided by the foods we eat
and the level in the blood is controlled by the kidneys.
What can happen if my potassium level is too high?
One role of potassium is to ensure the healthy functioning of muscles,
including your heart muscle. If the potassium in your blood is too high
it can change the rhythm of your heart which can be dangerous.
What should my potassium level be?
Your recent blood test shows that the level of potassium in your blood
is too high. The satisfactory blood level for potassium is different
depending on your treatment and how well your kidneys work:
• If you do not have dialysis the range is
3.5 - 5.3mmol/l
• If you regularly have haemodialysis the range is
4.0 - 6.0mmol/l
• If you have peritoneal dialysis the range is
3.5 - 5.5mmol/l
page 3 of 8
How can I control my potassium level?
You can help control the amount of potassium in your blood by
following a diet that has a lower potassium content.
Sometimes the medication you need to take can affect your potassium
levels. It is important that you do not stop taking these. Your doctor will
advise you if your potassium levels are high enough for you to need to
stop these tablets.
Another reason for high potassium levels could be constipation. This is
because you get rid of some potassium when you open your bowels.
Whatever the reason for your increased potassium levels, changing your
diet may help.
Which foods contain potassium?
Nearly all foods contain potassium. However, some foods contain a lot
of potassium, so eating only small quantities can increase your blood
levels. These are listed over the page as ‘high potassium foods’ and
should be avoided where possible.
Other foods contain a moderate amount of potassium and can be
enjoyed but not in large quantities. These are listed as 'medium
potassium foods'.
Some foods contain very little potassium and you can eat generous
amounts of these without worrying about your potassium levels. These
are listed as 'low potassium foods'.
You should try to eat a variety of foods each day. Protein foods such as
meat, fish, cheese and eggs should be eaten in your normal quantities,
unless you have been advised otherwise by a dietitian.
page 4 of 8
High potassium foods
These foods contain a lot of potassium and are therefore best avoided;
Fruit and vegetables
•
•
•
•
•
Avocado pears
Bananas
Dried fruit including dates, figs, raisins, prunes, sultanas
Paw paw (papaya)
Rhubarb
Starchy foods
• Baked, roast or chipped potatoes
• Potato croquettes or waffles
• Bran based cereals for example, All Bran, Bran flakes
Dairy products
• Evaporated and condensed milk
Sweets
• Chocolate
• Liquorice
Snacks
• Cakes and biscuits containing dried fruit or nuts, or chocolate
• Potato or vegetable crisps
• Nuts
page 5 of 8
Drinks
•
•
•
•
Fruit juices
Instant chocolate drinks and cocoa
Malted drinks, for example, Horlicks, Ovaltine
Strong ales and cider
Other
•
•
•
•
•
Salt substitutes such as Saxa So-Low or Lo Salt
Meat extract, for example, Bovril
Vegetable extract, for example, marmite
Tomato puree
Black treacle
Medium potassium foods
Some foods and drinks contain a medium amount of potassium and
should not cause a problem unless you eat them in large quantities or if
you eat them very frequently. For example:
• Milk - do not have more than ½ pint (300mls) per day
• Coffee - limit to 1-2 cups per day and choose filter coffee or coffee
essence rather than instant coffee. Avoid milky coffee.
Fruit and vegetables
You should continue to eat fruit and vegetables in moderation. We
advise you to limit fruit to two pieces per day and avoid those fruits and
vegetables listed in the high potassium foods section.
It is better to boil vegetables and potatoes rather than steaming or
microwaving, as boiling helps to remove potassium. If making
gravy, throw the water away and do not use it to make the gravy as this
will add potassium in to the gravy.
page 6 of 8
Low potassium foods
These foods contain very little potassium and can be enjoyed in your
usual amounts:
•
•
•
•
White breads, cereals, pasta and rice
Sponge cakes and biscuits
Butter and margarine
Tea and dilute squash
What happens next?
You should be referred to a dietitian for further advice. This
information was provided to give you some guidance until you have an
appointment with a dietitian who will assess your diet in detail. If you
have any questions about specific foods please make a note of them and
the dietitian will try to answer them when they see you.
It is likely that you will see a dietitian at your next clinic visit or in the next
few weeks if you are a haemodialysis patient.
However, if you think that making these changes to your diet is too
restrictive, or if you think your diet is already low in potassium and you
cannot make further changes, please contact the dietitians on:
• 0114 271 4162
page 7 of 8
Notes for nursing and medical staff
This information booklet is to be used with patients who have a high
potassium level and are unable to be seen by a dietitian immediately.
These patients should be referred to a renal dietitian for dietary
assessment and individual advice.
Patient’s name:
...........................................................................................................
This information has been given to you by:
...........................................................................................................
Date:
...........................................................................................................
Produced with support from Sheffield Hospitals Charity
Working hard to fund improvements that make life better
for patients and their families
Please donate to help us do more
www.sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk
Registered Charity No 1059043
Alternative formats can be available on request.
Please email: [email protected]
© Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2016
Re-use of all or any part of this document is governed by copyright and the “Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005”
SI 2005 No.1515. Information on re-use can be obtained from the Information Governance Department, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.
Email [email protected]
PD6274-PIL1924 v3
Issue Date: August 2016. Review Date: August 2018