Which Foods are Low in Potassium

Adequate amount of potassium in our diet is necessary for the proper functioning of the body. The key role played by potassium is maintaining the electrolyte balance in our body. The function of Na-K pump fails if your body is deficient in potassium, that leads to destabilization of the equilibrium of water and minerals. Potassium also aids in brain and muscle coordination. However, presence of high amount of potassium too has dangerous consequences. People suffering from body ailments due to presence of elevated levels of potassium in blood are hyperkalemic and the symptoms associated with it are increased heart rate, palpitations, muscle weaknesses, etc. Thus, a diet containing foods low in potassium is prescribed to them and therefore, they should know which foods are low in potassium. You can impose substantial control to bring down the high potassium levels by incorporating foods containing negligible amount of potassium in your diet.

List of Foods Low in Potassium

A low potassium diet comprises specific fruits and vegetables containing very low amounts of potassium. This element is readily available in almost every food and thus, you have to very careful. Meat and animal products are usually rich in potassium and therefore they should be avoided as much as possible.

Vegetables
You have to be very selective while choosing vegetables since most vegetables contain potassium. If you have been diagnosed with hyperkalemia, then you have to be very careful regarding your diet. Avoid consuming vegetables in raw form. Boil them as much as possible to derive the mineral in least quantity. Examples of such vegetables are cucumber, celery, mushroom, green peas, onions, radish, rhubarb, zucchini, yellow squash, pumpkin, carrots, beets, potatoes, tomatoes, egg plant, parsnips and artichoke. Cook these foods for a longer period before consuming.

Fruits
Fruits contain comparatively low amounts of potassium than vegetables. The citrus group of fruits, being rich in calcium, contain substantially low amounts of potassium. Thus, you can drink fresh fruit juices made from orange, grapes, banana, cantaloupe, apricots, grapefruits, papaya, pomegranate, nectarine, prunes, kiwi, tangerine, strawberries, watermelon, honeydew, etc. Avoid apples, guavas and peaches, and custard apples if the potassium level is on higher side. Other fruits that also contain reduced amounts of potassium are avocados, apricots, raisins and different types of dry fruits.

Pulses/Cereals/Nuts/Grains
Pulses are also included under the low potassium foods list. Similarly grains and cereals could also be consumed moderately to keep a check on potassium levels in body. However, restrict the quantity you consume everyday. A few examples include bran, granola, peanuts, black beans, butternut, bamboo shoots, Brussels sprouts, lentils, legumes, okra, parsley, etc. Cook sprouts, beans and pulses for sometime before eating. Do not consume them raw.

General Foods
There are many other foods which although cannot be broadly classified contain low amounts of potassium. You will be delighted to know that chocolate contains negligible amounts of potassium. Potassium levels in tea and coffee are also within safe limits. Noodles, pasta, cookies, applesauce, although high in carbohydrates are low in potassium. Consuming boiled or fried eggs is considered safe by doctors.

Knowing the foods that contain moderate amount of potassium would definitely prove useful to you while creating a potassium restricted diet. The normal level of potassium in our serum should be within the range of 3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L. Presence of potassium higher than this value is detrimental for health. Thus, you should also know the foods to be restricted completely. Animal products like red meat, beef, turkey, sea food are strictly eliminated from diet of people having potassium level higher than 6.0 mEq/L. Milk and dairy products also have high values of potassium and should be consumed only if permitted by doctors. I hope the information provided in this article has proven useful to you.