- Reference Number: HEY-1393/2023
- Departments: Dietetics
- Last Updated: 31 August 2023
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Advice for increasing the potassium in your diet to keep the levels in your blood healthy
Introduction
The potassium level in your blood is mainly controlled by the kidneys. You have been asked to increase the potassium in your diet as the level of potassium in your blood has been too low. If your potassium level remains low this may affect your heart.
Potassium is found naturally in most foods and this diet sheet will help you to choose higher potassium foods. It is important that your potassium level is checked regularly to make sure that your potassium is within the normal range.
Steps to increase your potassium intake
- If you have previously been on a low potassium diet you need to stop following this diet for the moment. If you are unsure, gradually increase your potassium intake; your dietitian will guide you.
- If you have previously been boiling all your potatoes and vegetables this is no longer necessary. Try alternative cooking methods to help prevent the loss of potassium, such as steaming, roasting, baking and frying. Fresh fruit and salad vegetables are also good sources of potassium.
- Try to eat potatoes with their skins left on.
- All fruit, vegetables and potatoes contain some potassium, so eating more of these foods will help to increase your potassium levels. Try to meet your 5 a day target or more.
- Meat, fish and milk also contain some potassium and should be included regularly as part of a balanced diet.
- In addition, try to include some high potassium foods regularly in your diet using the table in this leaflet.
If you are also following a low phosphate diet then you will need to discuss this with your Renal Dietitian
Food high in potassium
Try to have the following foods regularly:
| Potatoes | Jacket Potatoes, Potato Waffles, Chips, Potato Croquettes, Roast Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Potato Crisps |
| Fruit & Nuts | Bananas, Rhubarb, Apricots, Dried fruit (eg apricots, raisins, prunes, figs, dates, coconut), Blackcurrants, Nuts (all kinds) |
| Vegetables | Brussels Sprouts, Spinach, Mushrooms, Beetroot, Parsnips, Beans (eg baked), Tomatoes, Lentils |
| Drinks | Fresh fruit juce (eg orange juice, apple juice), Malted milk drinks, Hot Chocolate, Tomato juice, Milk (aim for at least 300 ml (½ pint) per day, Coffee |
| Cereals, Biscuits, Cakes and Sweets | Those containing a lot of dried fruit or nuts (eg Muesli, fruit cake, currant tea cake, fruit scones), Fig Rolls, Fudge, Chocolate, Liquorice, Wine Gums |
| Miscellaneous | Tomato Puree, Soup (especially tomato or mushroom), Marmite, brown sauce, ketchup |
SSteps increase your potassium intake
Should you require further advice, please do not hesitate to contact the Dietetics Department on tel no: 01482 674490
General Advice and Consent
Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.
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The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:
- you must be able to give your consent
- you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
- you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person
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