What is Potassium?
Potassium is a mineral that helps muscles and nerves work the right way. It is found in many foods, especially milk, fruits, and vegetables. Too much potassium affects heart rhythm or can cause cardiac arrest without warning.
Some patients with kidney disease are not able to get rid of potassium well enough in their urine, and need to limit the potassium in their diet.
| High Potassium Fruits |
Choose Instead |
| Bananas |
Apples, applesauce |
| Oranges and orange juice |
Grapes |
| Prunes and prune juice |
Peaches |
| Nectarines |
Pears |
| Apricots |
Plums |
| Avocado, guacamole |
Fruit cocktail |
| Cantaloupe/Honeydew melon |
Pineapple |
| Papaya |
Strawberries |
| Mango |
Raspberries |
| Dates, dried fruits |
Blueberries |
| Kiwi |
Tangerines, Grapefruit |
| High Potassium Vegetables |
Choose Instead |
| White and sweet potatoes |
Green Beans |
| Tomatoes and tomato juice |
Green Peas |
| Tomato sauce, tomato paste |
Cucumbers |
| Beet greens |
Onions |
| Spinach |
Cauliflower |
| Dried peas |
Cabbage |
| Dried beans |
Summer Squash |
| Nuts and peanut butter |
Green Peppers |
| Winter Squash |
Eggplant |
| Broccoli |
Celery |
| Other High Potassium Foods |
Choose Instead |
| Milk, yogurt, ice cream |
Non-dairy creamer |
| Caramel and chocolate |
Sherbet, Sorbet |
| Sports drinks |
Clear Sodas, Grape Juice, Apple |
| Salt substitute |
Mrs. Dash, No-Salt Seasoning Blends |