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    1. About Kidney Disease
      1. OVERVIEW
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    3. Life On Dialysis
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      1. About Kidney Disease
        1. Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
          1. Symptoms
          2. Risk Factors
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        2. Kidney Disease Stages
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        6. Understanding Acute Kidney Injury
          1. Acute Kidney Injury Treatment and Recovery
        7. How Kidneys Work
        8. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
      2. Treatments
        1. Dialysis Basics
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        2. Benefits of Home Dialysis
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          1. Eating Well on a CKD Diet
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          6. Talking With Your Dietitian
        3. Fluid Management on Dialysis
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      1. Home
      2. Thrive Central
      3. Diet & Nutrition
      4. Know Which High Potassium Foods to Avoid
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      Know Which Foods Are High in Potassium

      Potassium_MainIcon

      Potassium is an important mineral that helps you keep a regular heartbeat as well as proper muscle and nerve function. Having kidney disease can make it harder for your body to maintain a healthy potassium level of 3.5-5.0 mEq/L if you’re living with CKD or 3.5-5.5 mEq/L if you have ESRD. If lab results show that your potassium level is too high, you'll need to limit high potassium foods and concentrate on a low potassium diet. If your potassium is too low, your dietitian may have you add 1-2 servings or more of foods high in potassium to your daily diet. It’s important to understand and manage your potassium level so you can feel your best and be your healthiest.

      TALK TO YOUR DIETITIAN

      Review your potassium lab results and discuss whether you should ADD or LIMIT high potassium foods.


      High potassium foods

      Here’s a list of high potassium foods that can help you grocery shop wisely and plan your meals according to your dietitian’s recommendations. Remember, potassium needs vary by person, so talk to your dietitian about your potassium level and whether you should limit or add the following foods.
      Fruit_highPotassium_Icon

      FRUITS HIGH IN POTASSIUM

      Serving size: 1 small piece or ½ cup

      Avocado
      Banana
      Cantaloupe
      Dates
      Dried apricots
      Dried bananas
      Dried figs
      Dried peaches
      Honeydew
      Kiwi
      Nectarine
      Orange
      Papaya
      Peach
      Prunes
      Raisins
      Rhubarb

      Note: Avoid star fruit, which can have a harmful (toxic) effect for people living with kidney disease.

      Vegetable_highPotassium_Icon

      VEGETABLES HIGH IN POTASSIUM

      Serving size: ½ cup fresh or cooked or 1 cup raw leafy


      Acorn squash
      Beet greens
      Butternut squash
      Chard
      Chinese cabbage
      Collard greens
      Edamame
      Hubbard squash
      Kohlrabi
      Mushrooms
      Parsnips
      Plantain
      Pumpkin
      Rutabaga
      Spinach (cooked)
      Sweet potatoes
      Tomato paste
      Tomato sauce
      Tomatoes (canned)
      White potatoes
      Yams
      Protein_highPotassium_Icon

      PROTEINS HIGH IN POTASSIUM

      Serving size for ESRD: ½ cup or 3-5 ounces, cooked
      Serving size for CKD: ¼ cup or 1-2 ounces, cooked

      Black beans
      Kidney beans
      Lentils
      White beans
      Fluds_icon

      FLUIDS HIGH IN POTASSIUM

      Serving size: 4 ounces

      Carrot juice
      Coconut milk
      Orange juice
      Pomegranate juice
      Prune juice
      Tomato juice
      Vegetable juice
      DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE LIST OF HIGH POTASSIUM FOODS

      SYMPTOMS OF HIGH POTASSIUM

      Having either high or low potassium levels can cause:

      • Tingling and numbness in your fingers and toes
      • Muscle weakness, cramping, fatigue
      • Nausea and/or vomiting
      • Irregular heartbeat or palpitations

      Talk to your care team if you experience any of these symptoms.

      Explore kidney friendly recipes

      COOK YOUR OWN KIDNEY-FRIENDLY MEALS

      When you cook for yourself, you can take charge of your own phosphorus, sodium, and more. For more help crafting your own kidney-friendly diet, check out our recipes!
      EXPLORE RECIPES

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