High Potassium Diet

The mineral 'potassium' helps maintain water and pH (acid/base) balance. It regulates heartbeat and blood pressure and helps lower sodium levels too. It also aids muscle contraction and sends nerve impulses throughout the body. It keeps an eye on various enzymatic reactions. Certain type of tissue destruction can force the potassium in cells to enter into the blood stream and this can raise the potassium level in blood. The condition wherein high potassium affects the body functions, including heart function, is known as hyperkalemia. It can cause slow heartbeats, low pulse and fatigue. A high potassium diet is designed to help lower the high potassium levels in blood. Certain diseases require limited use of dietary potassium. The essential nutrient potassium is obtained from both, animal and plant sources. To avoid potassium-rich foods is the best way to deal with high potassium in blood.

Foods Rich in Potassium

Food Item	Potassium Level (in mg)	Food Item	Potassium Level (in mg)
Spinach	839	Avocado	540
Cantaloupe	494	Broccoli	456
Tomatoes	427	Artichokes	595
Beetroot	1309	Brussels Sprouts	504
Parsnips	573	Blackeyed Peas	690
Potatoes	1081	Pumpkin	564
Salisfy	526	Soybeans	886
Winter Squash	896	Water Chestnuts	720
Yam	735	Bitter Melon	934
Bamboo	640	Chinese Radish	970
Fennel	828	Lotus Root	726
Mustard Green	1396	Taro Root	591
Apricot (3)	814	Banana	467
Currants	892	Dates (5)	542
Figs (2)	542	Guava	580
Papaya (1/3)	781	Passion Fruit	934
Persimmon	540	Plantain	893
Pomegranate	678	Prune	707
Raisins	544	Plums (2)	520
Clams	534	Cashews	812
Pistachios	1331	Adzuki Beans Milk	612
Navy beans	670	Plain Yogurt	625
Buckwheat	782	Quinoa	1258
Wheat Germ	1080	Wholemeal Pasta	800
White Beans	1309	Lentils	731
Pinto beans	800	Wholemeal Pasta	800

A diet for high potassium levels should contain low potassium foods. Here is a list of foods low in potassium.

Foods that can Curb Hyperkalemia

Food Item	Potassium Level (in mg)	Food Item	Potassium Level (in mg)
Apples peeled	62	Applesauce, canned	80-90
Cranberry sauce	36	Blueberries	65
Lemon	80	Pears canned	83
Pineapple	88	Raspberries raw	94
Watermelon	93	Orange	237
Pineapple	133	Strawberries	124
Tangerine	132	Raw Alfalfa Sprouts	13
Green Beans	76	Cauliflower	125
Cabbage	80	Bean Sprouts	70
Carrots cooked	114	Collards cooked	84
Corn cooked	114	Endive raw	79
Leeks cooked	46	Lettuce	87
Onions	124	Peppers raw	89
Popcorn	20	Turnips	106
Kale	148	Celery	171
Chickpeas	239	Sweet Cherries (10)	152

The symptoms of hyperkalemia are noticed when the potassium level in blood reaches 7.0 mEq/liter. Higher than normal potassium in blood can cause muscle weakness, nausea, fatigue and a tingling sensation. In severe cases, increased potassium levels may result in a slow heartbeat and a weak pulse. Regular blood tests help monitor potassium levels. Individuals with potassium deficiency should consume more potassium-rich foods. For them, a high potassium diet may mean including high potassium foods, to raise the blood potassium levels. In that case, they should not include high 'sodium' foods in their diet as these foods would raise blood pressure levels and would destroy all the benefits gained from potassium rich foods. Foods that play the role of diuretics, for example, celery, asparagus and melons, should also be avoided; because these foods can flush potassium out of the body. Exactly opposite instructions are given to people with high potassium levels. Here are some important dietary tips to deal with high potassium in blood.

Tips to Lower Potassium

• Avoid salt substitute because it contains potassium.
• Potassium-free herbs, spices or seasoning mixes should be used in cooking.
• Limit fruits and vegetables to 4 servings (1/2 cup each) a day.
• Limit milk (all types of milk, buttermilk, yogurt and ice cream) to 1/2 cup a day.
• Limit the high potassium vegetables like asparagus, beets, brussels sprouts, collard greens, corn, dandelion greens, kale, etc. to one serving (½ cup)
• Completely avoid very high potassium fruits, vegetables and foods like chocolate candy or beverages, molasses, nuts, etc.

Normally, a low sodium high potassium diet is considered as healthy diet. You may refer to a low sodium foods list and design your own balanced diet. Cutting down salt intake, increasing potassium intake, shedding excess pounds, increasing physical activities, and following an overall healthy and balanced diet can help maintain blood pressure levels. People with normal blood pressure are less likely to suffer from heart diseases, stroke, or kidney diseases. I hope you found the lists in this article helpful and you made the necessary dietary and lifestyle changes, accordingly.