Ten Low-Potassium Foods that Make Eating Fun Again

Staff
3 days ago
3 min read

Looking for new low-potassium foods to enjoy? Good news—there are plenty of delicious options that may work with a kidney disease-friendly diet. Here are 10 worth trying.

Potassium and Kidney Disease

Potassium is a mineral that helps the heart, muscles, and nerves work properly. Damaged kidneys may not remove enough potassium from the blood.

This can cause serious health issues like:

Muscle cramping
Heart problems
Death

In the early stages of kidney disease, there’s usually no need to limit potassium in the diet unless your blood levels are high. In later stages of kidney disease or when the kidneys have completely failed, a doctor or kidney dietitian may recommend

Foods that are low in potassium
Foods higher in potassium that are not easily absorbed, like plant-based foods high in fiber.

It’s important to know that people with kidney disease can also have low blood potassium, which can be just as dangerous as high potassium levels. So, please discuss your potassium levels with your healthcare team. Because everyone is different, you need to know your potassium levels. Learn more about potassium in a kidney disease diet.

1. Horned Melon

Potassium: 143 mg per ½ cup, raw — **Potassium:** 143 mg per ½ cup, raw

Horned melon or kiwano is a beautiful fruit with bright orange skin and little spikes. The green, jelly-like insides taste like a mix of cucumber and kiwi–slightly sweet and a little tangy. Eat it with a spoon, add it to fruit salads, or use it as a fun topping.

2. Feijoa

Potassium: 144 mg for 2 fruits (52 g), raw — **Potassium:** 144 mg for 2 fruits (52 g), raw

Feijoa is a small green fruit with soft, juicy flesh with notes of pineapple, guava, and mint. You can slice it open and eat it raw, blend it into smoothies, or add it to desserts.

3. Chayote

Potassium: 138 mg per ½ cup, raw — **Potassium:** 138 mg per ½ cup, raw

Chayote is a green, pear-shaped vegetable with a light, crisp texture. With a mild taste, similar to cucumber, it’s great in salads, stir-fries, and soups. Get a chayote salad recipe.

4. Dandelion Greens

Potassium: 164 mg per ¾ cup, raw — **Potassium:** 164 mg per ¾ cup, raw

You may know dandelions from the bright yellow flowers that pop up in the spring. But did you know that the greens from this plant are edible? They have a slightly bitter taste and can be eaten raw in salads, sautéed with garlic, or tossed into soups for extra flavor.

5. Chinese Broccoli (Kai-Lan or Gai-Lan)

Potassium: 172 mg per ¾ cup, cooked — **Potassium:** 172 mg per ¾ cup, cooked

Chinese broccoli is a dark green vegetable with thick stems and flat leaves. It is mild and slightly bitter, making it ideal for stir-fries and steamed side dishes.

6. Soursop

Potassium: 166 mg per 1 cup (60 g), raw — **Potassium:** 166 mg per 1 cup (60 g), raw

Soursop is a large green fruit with spiky skin that tastes like a combination of strawberry, pineapple, and citrus. You can eat it fresh or blend it into smoothies.

7. Cactus Pads (Nopales)

Potassium: 194 mg per ⅔ cup, cooked — **Potassium:** 194 mg per ⅔ cup, cooked

Nopales are the pads from a prickly pear cactus. They have a slightly tangy, green bean-like flavor. Grill them, sauté them, or add them to tacos and salads.

8. Jicama (Yam Bean)

Potassium: 183 mg per 1 cup, cooked and sliced — **Potassium:** 183 mg per 1 cup, cooked and sliced

Jicama is a crunchy root vegetable with a slightly sweet flavor. Enjoy it raw in salads, serve it with dips, or add it to stir-fries.

9. Dragon Fruit

Potassium: 140 mg per 1 fruit (75 g), raw

Dragon fruit is a stunning bright pink or yellow with white or red flesh inside, speckled with tiny black seeds. Enjoy this slightly sweet fruit fresh, in smoothies, or as a dessert topping.