Generally, it is not common for someone to suffer from an excess of potassium since the daily needs of this mineral range between 3,000 to 4,000 mg; even a little more than this amount is tolerated without causing hyperkalemia or hyperkalemia. However, undergoing dialysis or suffering from various kidney pathologies prevents the correct elimination of potassium. Hence, the specialist may grant a treatment that must be followed rigorously and, at the same time, a change in the regular feeding by foods low in potassium.
A balanced and structured diet according to the needs of each person is essential not only to help treat the disease but also to avoid the appearance of various side effects such as muscle contractions, an irregular heart rhythm, or changes in blood pressure. The following FastlyHealarticle will detail a low potassium diet – allowed and prohibited foods for those with kidneys that have difficulty filtering potassium properly.
Table of Contents
Potassium in the body
Potassium is a mineral that in the body allows nerve impulses to be transmitted between the various muscles, so it plays a fundamental role in the contractions of the heart muscle; it is also involved in:
- Bone growth
- In the balance of fluids
- Regulation of blood pressure
- The production of insulin and proteins, among other functions.
For this reason, the levels of this nutrient in the body must always be in the correct state since both the deficit and the excess can be detrimental to health.
It is possible that potassium levels in the blood increase, which is generally the cause of some kidney failure or kidney disorders, so it is necessary to reduce the intake of this mineral in such cases significantly.
What is a low potassium diet about?
A diet low in potassium should provide approximately 2,000 mg of this mineral per day. Many foods are rich in potassium, so several points can help improve the diet.
There are different techniques to decrease the potassium content of various foods, and it can be done very quickly. This is very useful in potatoes and vegetables since they are rich in potassium, but with proper treatment that a specialist must detail, they can be consumed ideally.
On the other hand, a diet low in potassium should be made up of foods with low potassium content. For example, those fruits, cereals, and vegetables offer less than 200 mg of potassium per 100 grams of the product.
Finally, in this type of diet, those foods rich in sodium and potassium must be eliminated, that is, those that provide more than 200 mg of the mineral per 100 grams of serving. Making these changes in diet can stop the progress of kidney disease and regulate potassium in the blood.
Low potassium foods
The foods with the least amount of potassium are listed below. In any case, these foods are recommended to be cooked previously, either cooked, roasted, or steamed, since, in this way, it is possible to reduce the proportion of said mineral a little more. For a low potassium diet, it is recommended:
Vegetables
- Peppers: raw provides approximately 90 mg of potassium per 100 grams of the food. Raw green bell peppers give a little more than this amount.
- Onions: raw offer 119 mg per 100 grams.
- Pepin o: raw and shelled, 136 mg per 100 grams.
- Green lettuce: raw provides 194 mg per 100 grams.
- Chayote: cooked provides 175 mg per 100 grams.
- Eggplants: boiled, it has 119 mg in every 100 grams.
Vegetables
- Soy milk: provides 65 mg per 100 grams.
- Chickpeas: canned offer 106 mg in 100 grams.
- Beans: canned, 120 mg per 100 grams.
Fruits
- Blueberries: raw provide 75 mg per 100 grams.
- Apple: Golden variety raw and with peel, approximately 107 mg / 100 grams.
- Grapefruit : raw, 143 mg / 100 grams.
- Strawberries: raw, 151 mg / 100 grams.
- Oranges: raw offer 166 mg / 100 grams.
Cereals
- White rice : cooked, 26 mg / 100 grams.
- Couscous : cooked, 58 mg / 100 grams.
- Quinoa : cooked, 170 mg / 100 grams.
Animal origin
- Goat milk: approximately between 20 to 40 mg / 100 grams.
- Cheese: usually varies between 70 to 190 mg / 100 grams. Parmesan cheese contains a higher quantity.
- Processed milk : provides between 150 to 170 mg per 100 grams.
- Yogurt : 150 to 180 mg / 100 grams.
Low potassium diet: forbidden foods
On the other hand, there are several foods that you should not eat because of their high potassium content. Here we explain what they are:
- Vegetables: its consumption should be avoided or controlled in those vegetables rich in potassium, sweet potato, broccoli, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts.
- Nuts and seeds: these are the foods with the highest potassium per 100 grams, so they are prohibited in the diet. For example, almonds offer 730 mg / 100 grams, sunflower seeds 850 mg / 100 grams, and milk thistle up to 2,130 mg / 100 grams.
- Fruits: Most are prohibited due to their high potassium content, especially bananas, kiwi, dried figs, and dried fruits like prunes and dates.
- Meats: any meat offers more than 200 mg of potassium for every 100 grams of the food. Shellfish and bluefish have the highest amounts, above 500 mg / 100 grams, while the lowest are those of white fish, rabbit, and poultry, between 200 and 350 mg / 100 grams. Although these values can be reduced by up to 50% if the meat is boiled, it is preferable not to eat them or do so in a few circumstances.
- Processed drinks: including rehydration, non-alcoholic beer, fruit juices, and green tea.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.