This handout is designed for people with kidney problems. Please check with your doctor or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist before changing your diet. Changing your potassium intake can be dangerous. Potassium What is potassium?
Potassiumisanimportantnutrientneededbyyour
musclesandheart.
How is potassium controlled in your body?
Thekidneysareresponsibleforfilteringthebloodand
maintaininghealthylevelsofpotassiuminthebody.
What happens if I have chronic kidney disease (CKD)? InCKDstages1–3,yourkidneysmaybeabletofilter
yourbloodandcontrolpotassiumlevels.However,itis
importanttotalktoaRegisteredDietitianNutritionist
(RDN)andfindoutwhichfoodsareokaytoeat.
InCKDstages4–5,yourkidneysarenolongerableto
filteryourbloodandcontrolpotassiumlevels.Itisvery
importanttolistentoyourRDNanddoctor.
What happens if I eat too much or too little potassium? Eatingtoomuchortoolittlepotassiumincreasesyour
riskforheartproblems(e.g.,heartattack).
Thefollowingpagesdisplaylow‐tomedium‐potassium
fruitsandvegetablestochoosefromandhigh‐potassium
choicestolimitoravoid.
Note:thefoodanddrinkphotosmaynotportrayactual
surveysizesdesired–askyourdietitian
Abbreviations
1c 1measuringcup
½c Onehalfcup
Tbsp. Tablespoon
pc piece
Low‐ and Medium‐Potassium Fruits Less than 200 mg/serving Apple(1whole)
Blueberries(½c)
Grapefruit(½)
Lychee(10pc)
Pineapple(½c)
Applesauce(½ c)
Apricot,canned(3halves)
Cherries(10pc)
Cranberries(1c)
Grapes(10pc)
Kumquat,raw(5whole)
Mandarinorange(½c)
Mountainapple(1whole)
Plum(1whole)
Prunes,canned(5pc)
Strawberries(½c)
Asian(JapaneseorKorean)
Pear(½c)
Fruitcocktail(½c)
Lemon(1whole)
Peach(1whole)
Raspberries(½c)
Tamarind(1fruit,3”x1”)
Tangerine(1whole)
Watermelon(1c)
Images From: hawaiifoods.hawaii.edu, asia.ru/ru/ProductInfo/447623.html, calcherry.com/download/download_center.cfm?ImagesCategoryID=1, vegetariannutrition.info/herbs/cranberry.php, rampages.us/nutritionblogsforlaurenembroski/2014/10/14/pomegranate-lauren-embroski/, stanleysstore.co.uk/fresh-fruit-andvegetables/, baby-recipes.com/spinach-apple-blueberry-baby-food-recipe/
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Low‐ and Medium‐Potassium Vegetables
Less than 200 mg/serving
Asparagus(4)
Broccoli,raw(½c)
Bambooshoots,canned
(½can)
Beansprouts(½c)
Burdock/Gobo,raw(½c)
Cabbage(½c)
Cauliflower(½c)
Chinesecabbage(½c)
Fern(½c,chopped)
Chayote,cooked(½ c)
Corn,canned(½c)
Cucumber(½c)
Greenbeans(½c)
Kale(½c)
Peas(½c)
Bellpepper,raw(½)
Carrots(½c)
Chilipepper(½c)
Eggplant(½c)
Mushrooms(buttonor
shiitake),raw(½c)
Celery(½c)
Marungayleaves(½c)
Lotusroot,boiled(5slices)
Okra(½c)
Radishes(5)
Watercress,cooked(½c)
Onions(½c)
Zucchini(½c)
Source of Images: hawaiifoods.hawaii.edu, dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-image-canned-corn-image16861346, radishmag.wordpress.com,
kitchendaily.com/read/using-wine-cook
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High‐Potassium Fruits – Limit or Avoid More than 200 mg/serving AppleBanana(1whole)
Coconut,raw(¼c),
coconutmilk(½c),
coconutwater(½c)
Kiwi(1whole)
Papaya(½small)
Pomegranate,raw(1whole)
Banana(½)
Breadfruit(¼)
Guava,raw(1whole)
Honeydewmelon(½c)
Mango(½medium)
Nectarine(1medium)
Pear(1medium)
Pear,Asian(1whole,3‐
3/8”x3”)
Pomelo,raw(½ c)
Raisins,snackbox(1½
oz.)
Cantaloupe(½c)
Jackfruit(½c,sliced)
Orange(1medium)
Persimmon,raw(1whole)
Soursop(½ c)
Images From;hawaiifoods.hawaii.edu,organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/tamarind.html,
https://preservehawaii.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/ntbg4
breadfruit.jpg
High‐Potassium Vegetables – Limit or Avoid More than 200 mg/serving
Artichoke(1medium)
Brusselssprouts(½c)
Azukibeans(½c)
Beet,raw(1whole)
Bittermelon(½ c)
Cornonthecob(½ c)
Cassava(½)
Dasheen(½ c)
Frenchfries(½c)
Mungbeans(½c)
Potato,boiled(½)
Tomato(1medium)
Soybeans(¼c)
Kidneybeans(½c)
Limabeans(½c)
Marungaypods(½c)
Mustardcabbage(½c)
Pak (Bok) choy(½c)
Potatochips(15chips)
Spinach,raw (1 c,chopped)
Tomatopaste(2tbsp.)
Tomatosauce(½c)
Squash,Acorn(¼ c)
Squash,Butternut(½c)
Poi(½ c)
Sweetpotato(½c)
Taro(½c)
Yams(½ c)
Images From; hawaiifoods.hawaii.edubabyfood101.com/brussels_sprouts_baby_food_recipes/, http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/fruitsvegetables/cup.html,
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http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Foraged_Malunggay_9866.php, iknowvegetables.com/lima-beans.html
Low‐ and Medium‐Potassium Drinks Less than 200 mg/serving Applejuice(½c)
Cranberryjuice(½ c)
Grapefruitjuice(½ c)
Grapejuice(½c)
Guavajuice(½ c)
Lilikoi/passionjuicedrink
Pearjuice(½ c)
Pineapplejuice(½ c)
Peachjuice(½c)
Blacktea(1c)
Greentea(1c)
Herbaltea(1c)
Knowyourfluidrestrictionanddon’tdrinkmorethanyourlimitperday.
Myfluidrestrictionis:________________________________________
(Tip:1cup=240mloffluid)
Images From: info.abcr.com/Blog/bid/240526/Beverage-Safety-Angst-over-Arsenic, blog.lef.org/2012/03/cranberry-prevents-hardening-arteries.html,
clickondetroit.com/lifestyle/health/grapefruit-juice-fends-off-weight-gain-in-mice-fed-highfat-diet/29125916, thoughtpursuits.com/10-reasons-skip-wine-drink-grapejuice/, 21food.com/products/guava-juice-440409.html, thejuicenut.com/peach_juice_the_juice_nut.aspx, pinterest.com/juicersbest/pear-juicerecipes/, hhealthwantcare.com/liver-disease-2/9448355-glass-with-fresh-pineapple/
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Limit or Avoid
High in Potassium and/or Phosphorus Avocado,localvariety
Milk
Driedfruit
Granola
Icecream
Prunejuice
Saimin
Saltsubstitute
Starfruit
(verytoxictokidneys)
Yogurt
LatteorCappuccino
Seaweed
Images From: hawaiifoods.hawaii.edu, totalhealth.co.uk/clinical-experts/dr-purushothaman-premchand/prune-juice-faqs, food-of-africa.com/cassava-recipes/,
plehns.com/icecream.html, womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/chobani-yogurt, mortonsalt.com/for-your-home/culinary-salts/food-salts/5/morton-salt-substitu
Resources:
Hawai‘iFoodsWebsite
USDANutrientDatabase
DevelopedbyKaliRyanandYunChiCheng,UHDieteticInterns(CyndyKahalewale,MPH,RDN,LD,
Preceptor),Hawai‘iFoodsWebsite,May2015
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