Foods to Avoid With High Potassium

Potassium, like calcium and sodium, is a mineral salt (electrolyte) that is important in regulating the pH levels of bodily fluids. It plays an important role in keeping the heartbeat regular and the muscles working properly. The kidney's job is to filter potassium and to insure that the right amount of potassium is available in the body. People with a kidney infection or kidney disease normally have to limit their potassium intake.

Fruits

• The following fruits are high in potassium: apricots, avocado, banana, cantaloupe, coconut, dates, dried fruits including figs, grapefruit juice, honeydew, kiwi, mango, nectarine, orange and juice, papaya, pears, plantains, pomegranate and juice, prunes and juice, raisins and tangelo.

Vegetables

• The following vegetables are high in potassium: all kinds of winter squash (acorn, butternet, hubbard, pumpkin), artichoke, bamboo shoots, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, chinese cabbage, carrots, all dried beans and peas such as lentils and black beans, greens, kohlrabi, lima beans, mushrooms, parsnips, potatoes (white and sweet, plus yams), rutabaga, spinach (cooked), tomato products, vegetable juice.

Other Foods

• Other high-potassium foods include bran and bran products, chocolate, coffee, granola, ice cream, milk (all types), molasses, nuts and seeds, peanut butter, salt substitutes, salt-free broth, snuff/chewing tobacco, tea, turmeric and yogurt. All meat, poultry and fish are high in potassium.

Portion Control

• Portion control is important; eating large quantities of foods with a moderate amount of potassium may increase your potassium levels more than having a taste of a food with high potassium.

Leaching To Pull Potassium out of Food

• A method to remove some potassium from food includes cutting the vegetables into small pieces and letting them sit in a large quantity of warm water for several hours before cooking. Then cook the vegetables in a large quantity of water.