Information for people  
                   following a low potassium diet   
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                       Information for patients 
                                                                       
       This leaflet can be made available in other formats including large print, 
       CD and Braille and in languages other than English, upon request. 
   Your doctor, or healthcare professional, has advised that you need 
   to follow a diet low in potassium.  The information in this leaflet is 
   designed to provide you with a list of foods and drinks that you can 
   continue  to  have  and  a  list  of  foods  and  drinks  that  you  should 
   avoid. 
    
   What is potassium? 
    
   Potassium is a mineral found in most types of food. It has many 
   important functions. 
    
   Why is my potassium level high? 
    
   The most common reason for high potassium levels is that your 
   kidneys are not working properly. The kidneys usually control the 
   potassium level in your blood and prevent it from becoming too high.   
   There  are  a  number  of  other  medical  problems  and  certain 
   medications that can cause a high potassium level. If you are not 
   sure  why  your  potassium  levels  are  high,  discuss  this  with  your 
   doctor. 
    
   Why is it important to avoid foods and drinks that are 
   high in potassium? 
    
   A high level of potassium can cause problems with your heart 
   including cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm) and cardiac 
   arrest (a heart attack). Therefore it is important not to exceed the 
   maximum allowance recommended. 
    
   Please use the guides below when using the table. 
    
   Foods marked with a diamond  may be eaten in small quantities if 
   cooked appropriately. 
    
   If you have diabetes – avoid items marked with a star  you can 
   include  sugary  drinks/sweets  only  if  you  have  a  low  sugar  level 
   (hypoglycaemia). 
                          Food and drinks that              Foods and drinks to be  
                                                 1,2                      1,2
                          can be included                   AVOIDED   
                                                             
        Fruit             Maximum 3 portions /              Banana 
                          day                               Dried fruit eg raisins, dates 
                          1 portion is 1 item or 2          Prunes 
                          tablespoons (approx. 80g)  Rhubarb 
                          unless stated.                    Fresh fruit juices 
                                                            Juice from tinned fruit 
                          Apple                             Star fruit 
                          Satsuma                           Avocado 
                          Tangerine                         Mango 
                          Plum (2)                           
                          Tinned fruit (no juice)            
                          Kiwi fruit                         
                          Peach / nectarine 
                          Pear 
                          Strawberries (6) 
                          Grapes (12) 
                           
                                                             
        Vegetables        Maximum 2 - 3 portions            Baked beans 
                          each day                          Pulses eg kidney beans, 
        All               1 portion is 2 tablespoons        lentils, butter beans 
        vegetables        (approx 80g) unless               Mushrooms 
        should be         stated.                           Sundried tomatoes 
        boiled                                              Spinach 
        where             Broccoli                          Brussel sprouts 
        possible and  Swede                                 Parsnips 
        the water         Carrots                           Raw vegetables 
        discarded.        Leek                              Beetroot  
                          Cabbage                            
                          Lettuce                            
                          Cauliflower 
                          Green beans  
                          Peas 
                          Cucumber 
                          Sweetcorn 
                          Peppers 
                          Fresh tomato (1 medium 
                          or 4 cherry) 
                          Onion 
                       Food and drinks that           Foods and drinks to be 
                                            1,2                    1,2
                       can be included                AVOIDED   
                       Maximum is 1 portion of   
       Potatoes,       the following per day.         Baked / Jacket potatoes 
       rice and                                       Roast potatoes  
       pasta           Boiled potatoes                Chips  
                        small portion of             Instant mashed potato 
                       homemade chips or roast        Tinned spaghetti 
                       potatoes if boiled first        
                       Homemade mashed                 
                       potatoes 
                       Boiled cassava / yam / 
                       sweet potato / taro / 
                       plantain. 
                        
                       There are no restrictions 
                       on the following: 
                       Rice 
                       Pasta  
                       Noodles 
                       Breads 
                        
                        
                                                       
       Cereals         Porridge                       All bran 
                       Weetabix                       Muesli 
                       Bran flakes                    Cereals containing nuts/ 
                       Shredded wheat                 dried fruit 
                       Cornflakes 
                       Rice crispies 
                       Sugar coated cereals 
                                                       
       Dairy foods  Milk (limit to ½ pint each  Evaporated milk 
                       day)                           Condensed milk 
                       Yogurt (1 small pot can be  Yogurt (unless substituted 
                       substituted for ½ pint of      for milk) 
                       milk)                           
                       Soft cheese 
                       Hard cheese  
                       Cottage cheese