High Potassium Foods

It’s the time of year for dietary indiscretion. Every party has loads of food. Many of the gifts that we give each other are food, often some sort of sweet or dessert. It is not a time for thinking whether a food is a high potassium food or low potassium food.

Often candy is given this time of year. Most candy with chocolate has a lot of potassium, since cocoa is a high potassium food. The best candies for someone on a low potassium diet are those without chocolate.

The quantity of candy listed as a serving in the table is important to notice. Often the reason the food is a low potassium food is that the serving is less than many of us consume at a sitting. So use the serving size as a guide to how much you can allow yourself.

Of course, the best path is to avoid the candies and eat only the appropriate foods with nutritional value. But we all will break the rule every once in a while. The table is to help you figure out how much you can break the rule safely. The table shows which candies are lower in potassium and gives the sodium content, since this also is an important consideration.

The weights all are grams except for the potassium and sodium, which are milligrams. The calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, sugar, potassium and sodium values given are for 100 grams of food.

As usual, K is potassium, and Na is sodium.

Except for the potassium to sodium ratio, amount of potassium per serving, and sodium per serving (all of which we calculated), the source of data is:

USDA National Nutrient Database Standard Reference – Release 22

There are a great many baked goods that are low potassium foods. Cakes and cookies are no exception. A great many cakes will provide less than 100 mg of potassium in a slice of cake, and a great many cookies will provide less than 100 mg of potassium in a cookie.

In the table we have included these low potassium cakes and cookies. However, we have also included some with a higher potassium content to point out how some cakes and cookies will have a high potassium content. Those with chocolate, cheese, pineapple, fruit, ginger or other high potassium spices or ingredients will have a higher potassium content. For example, we included a yellow cake that has a vanilla frosting and one with a chocolate frosting to show how much even the frosting can make a difference in the potassium content.

As with almost all baked goods, the cakes and cookies have a lot of sodium. If you need to restrict potassium, you probably also need to restrict sodium, at least somewhat. The sodium content of baked goods is typically high. That is true for cakes and cookies too, except for those in the table that are special dietary with low sodium.

The table has a lot of commercial products to show the content of commercial products versus homemade. Typically homemade baked goods will have just as much sodium as commercial, since it takes the same amount of baking soda or powder to make, whether it is commercial or homemade.

A great many Archway cookies are in the table since they were the main brand studied by the USDA. The Archway cookies vary widely in their potassium and sodium content, depending on the exact ingredients. Other commercial baked goods would be expected to vary in a similar fashion.

If someone has a medical condition requiring a low potassium diet, they will need to regulate multiple aspects of their diet, not just potassium and sodium. They need advice from a physician and/or a dietitian to help with all aspects. These tables will be inadequate for managing their health, and are only meant to serve as a guide, showing how foods that seem similar will vary in significant dietary components.

The weights all are grams except for the potassium and sodium, which are milligrams. The calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, sugar, potassium and sodium values given are for 100 grams of food.

As usual, K is potassium, and Na is sodium.

Except for the potassium to sodium ratio, amount of potassium per serving, and sodium per serving (all of which we calculated), the source of data is:

USDA National Nutrient Database Standard Reference – Release 22

The temptations of the season are difficult to avoid this time of year, with everyone wanting you to sample their latest baking success. For most baked goods there should not be a problem with potassium for those who require a low potassium diet. Most baked goods are low potassium foods, with only a few of the biscuits, rolls and muffins being high potassium foods. Those with a high amount of potassium will be the various baked goods that are made to include fruit, nuts, spice, chocolate, bran, whole grain or mixed grain.

Sodium will be high in all the biscuits, rolls and muffins, though. All baked goods have high sodium content unless they specifically mention that they are low sodium. Getting too much sodium will result in retaining extra fluid. Although consuming too much potassium will make the heart beat irregularly in those requiring a low potassium diet, too much sodium will make the heart work too hard, since it has to move the extra fluid in the blood stream, and supply blood to the muscles that move a body carrying extra weight from the fluid.

The table below includes most bagels, biscuits, rolls and muffins although there are too many products to include all the brand variations available. The commercial bakeries tend to prepare the baked goods with similar processing using baking soda or baking powder, which adds sodium.

We have included the fat, carbohydrate and sodium amounts since those usually need to be regulated in addition to potassium. If the only requirement is low potassium, the baked goods listed will help. They are all less than 100 mg potassium in a serving, except for the foods that have high potassium ingredients added, such as bran, whole or mixed grain, or fruit, milk or spices.

But people with medical conditions requiring a low potassium diet most often need multiple aspects of their diet regulated, and need the advice of a doctor and dietitian to help with their specific requirements. These tables will be inadequate for managing their health, and can only serve as a guide to show how foods that seem similar will vary significantly in important dietary elements.

The weights all are grams except for the potassium and sodium, which are milligrams. The calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, sugar, potassium and sodium values given are for 100 grams of food.

As usual, K is potassium, and Na is sodium.

Except for the potassium to sodium ratio, amount of potassium per serving, and sodium per serving (all of which we calculated), the source of data is:

USDA National Nutrient Database Standard Reference – Release 22

Many types of bread are low potassium foods. In addition they generally are high in sodium also. Potassium, sodium and phosphorus need to be controlled in those who have the most common reason for being on a low potassium diet – those with poorly functioning kidneys. For those with poor kidneys, sodium will cause more fluid to accumulate and should be limited. This table includes sodium so you can identify those breads that are very high in sodium, and find the breads that are relatively lower in sodium.

Those who also have diabetes will need to limit carbohydrates, so the carbohydrate amounts are included in the table. Generally one slice of bread is considered a serving, and about 6 to 11 servings of grains, including breads, can be consumed in a day. Whole grain and high fiber breads should be avoided since they are usually higher in phosphorus. Other sources of grains include rice, pasta and noodles discussed here. Whole, intact grains for porridges and cereals, and unleavened flour, such as used for tortillas are discussed here.

The breads are all high in carbohydrates, and those in renal failure are in need of an additional source of protein to provide 8 to 10 ounces of protein foods daily. This should come from meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Nuts, lentils and high protein grains are still lower in protein and are higher in potassium and phosphorus for equal amounts of protein.

We have included the fat, carbohydrate and sodium amounts since those usually need to be regulated in addition to potassium. If the only requirement is low potassium, the breads listed will help. They are all less than 200 mg potassium in a serving, except for the mixes that provide multiple servings.

But people with medical conditions requiring a low potassium diet most often need multiple aspects of their diet regulated, and need the advice of a doctor and dietitian to help with their specific requirements. These tables will be inadequate for managing their health, and can only serve as a guide to show how foods that seem similar will vary significantly in important dietary elements.

The weights all are grams except for the potassium and sodium, which are milligrams. The calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, sugar, potassium and sodium values given are for 100 grams of food.

As usual, K is potassium, and Na is sodium.

Except for the potassium to sodium ratio, amount of potassium per serving, and sodium per serving (all of which we calculated), the source of data is:

USDA National Nutrient Database Standard Reference – Release 22

Thanksgiving is loaded with high potassium foods, making it a problem for those on a low potassium diet. You can eat some of the low potassium foods mentioned in prior posts, but most are not traditional Thanksgiving foods. All poultry is a high potassium food, as are spices, which are so common this time of year. Low sodium breads, baked goods, pasta and rice are good choices, but not the usual Thanksgiving fare.

The best choice is to eat the least spicy foods available, and take small portions. Poultry is high in potassium, but low in sodium unless the meat is injected with salt solution or basted or marinated in a high sodium liquid. Eating a small piece can keep potassium load down.

Cranberries are low in potassium and sodium, having just 85 mg of potassium and 2 mg of sodium in 3.5 oz of berries. Of course, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes are high in potassium and should be avoided. Yellow snap beans, if frozen without salt, are low in both minerals. By boiling without salt and then draining the liquid, just 126 mg of potassium and 9 mg of sodium will be in 3.5 oz of beans.

Breads, rolls and muffins are usually high in sodium because of the baking soda used in baking. If the low sodium type is used, they should be alright. Most pie crusts are high in sodium for the same reason. The Nabisco ready to use crust in the table is an exception.

In the table we featured pies. Most are high in sodium because of the crust having been made with baking soda. However, the coconut cream and chocolate cream pies are fairly low in both sodium and potassium. If a slightly smaller piece than indicated is eaten, you can limit potassium and sodium to less than 100 mg in a piece, especially if you avoid the crust.

Thanksgiving is a time with many foods that can create havoc with a potassium restricted diet. Just watch your potassium and sodium, and enjoy the holiday.

The weights all are grams except for the potassium and sodium, which are milligrams. The calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, sugar, potassium and sodium values given are for 100 grams of food.

As usual, K is potassium, and Na is sodium.

Except for the potassium to sodium ratio, amount of potassium per serving, and sodium per serving (all of which we calculated), the source of data is:

USDA National Nutrient Database Standard Reference – Release 22

All the legumes (beans) in the table are low potassium foods, having less than 100 mg potassium per serving. Very few legume (bean) based foods are low in potassium. As a group they are considered high potassium foods.

However, the foods in this table are processed, mostly from soy. The processing usually adds sodium. We have placed the products in a slightly different order than normal. Since those on a low potassium diet usually also need to restrict sodium, we placed those with the lowest sodium content at the top of the table. As you can see, there are only 12 foods with less than 100 mg of sodium per serving and 40 with more than 100 mg per serving.

The last three in the table have more than 1000 mg of sodium in a serving. Two of the last three entries are soy sauce, so the 1000 mg of sodium is contained in just a tablespoon of sauce. All three entries should be avoided by everyone. Even those on a high potassium diet should avoid such large amounts of sodium in a serving. These items can only contribute to osteoporosis and high blood pressure, since they make it very difficult to restrict daily sodium to less than 1500 or even 2300 mg of sodium.

For vegetarians, whether or not on a low potassium diet, much of the diet may be soy based. It is very important to know the composition of each food you eat, especially if you are on a restricted diet. There is nothing magical about soy. Soy based products can be very harmful. The advantages of soy can be quickly lost if there is too much salt (sodium) added to the soy. Look for low sodium soy products.

The weights all are grams except for the potassium and sodium, which are milligrams. The calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, sugar, potassium and sodium values given are for 100 grams of food.

As usual, K is potassium, and Na is sodium.

Except for the potassium to sodium ratio, amount of potassium per serving, and sodium per serving (all of which we calculated), the source of data is:

USDA National Nutrient Database Standard Reference – Release 22

Nuts are one of the high potassium foods. As a general rule, they should be avoided by those on a low potassium diet, who need to eat low potassium foods. Nuts and seeds are not one of the low potassium foods. But as with fruits, vegetables and some of the other high potassium foods, if a small amount is eaten, it will only add a small amount of potassium to your daily total.

The table includes those seeds and nuts that can provide less than 100 mg of potassium in the serving size mentioned. As can be seen from the table, this varies from 1 oz to 1 tbspn. Eating a handful of nuts would contribute too much potassium to someone who needs to restrict potassium intake.

In the table, the best source of a low potassium seed or nut can be seen to be sunflower seeds. Sunflower butter also contributes only a small amount in a tablespoon. If a nutty flavor is desired, this would be good way to get it while limiting potassium. Sunflower meal is another source that is relatively low in potassium.

Safflower seed meal is a lower potassium seed that can provide a slightly different taste. An ounce only provides 19 mg of potassium.

Even in this table, most of the other nuts and seeds are much higher than sunflower and safflower seeds. If the seed or nut is not in the table, it has even higher amounts of potassium. Those who require low potassium foods should avoid the nuts and seeds that are not in the table.

The weights all are grams except for the potassium and sodium, which are milligrams. The calories, protein, total fat, carbohydrate, fiber, potassium and sodium values given are for 100 grams of food.

As usual, K is potassium, and Na is sodium.

Except for the potassium to sodium ratio and the amount of potassium per serving (which we calculated), the source of data is:

USDA National Nutrient Database Standard Reference – Release 22.

There are a number of juices and juice-like drinks that will satisfy the low potassium foods criterion of having less than 100 mg potassium in a serving. The juices and drinks can be diluted to give even less potassium and sodium if so needed. High potassium foods are to be avoided for those requiring a low potassium diet, such as those with kidney disease or Addison’s disease. The drinks in this table include juice drinks that can substitute for the natural juices that are high in potassium.

Some juices that are from high potassium fruits can be low in potassium, such as papaya nectar and guava nectar. However, some juices made from low potassium fruits make juices that are high in potassium, such as apple juice. The flavored drink versions of the juices, however, are frequently low in potassium and sodium. When the drink is not pure juice, but is mixed with other ingredients it is usually called a “drink” or “cocktail.”

Several high potassium natural juices are included in the table, so the low potassium drink alternatives with a similar taste can be compared, and to point out the frequently large difference in potassium content in the natural juice compared to the juice drink. You may also notice huge differences in potassium and sodium content in drinks with similar sounding names. For example, the potassium in “fruit punch” varies from 3 to 155, depending on the exact drink it is. We have a previous post with a table of high potassium fruit juices.

The table includes several V8 Splash juices. If you have read the high potassium foods table for drinks you will have seen several V8 juices there. These are the Fusion brand of V8 drinks. Be careful if you are using the V8 juices that you get the correct ones or you may wind up with either too much or too little, depending on your goal. Campbell’s does make juices that can satisfy either criteria. Notice the juices labeled strawberry banana smoothie or peach mango smoothie would be expected to have a high potassium content since the fruits listed are high in potassium. Their processing has lowered the potassium content.

The weights all are grams except for the potassium and sodium, which are milligrams. The calories, protein, total fat, carbohydrate, sugar, potassium and sodium values given are for 100 grams of food.

As usual, K is potassium, and Na is sodium.

Except for the potassium to sodium ratio and the amount of potassium per serving (which we calculated), the source of data is:

USDA National Nutrient Database Standard Reference – Release 22