Foods to limit

Some foods are high in potassium. Limit your daily intake of the foods in the list below.

• Fruits: apricots (canned and fresh), bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, kiwi, nectarines, pomegranates, oranges, orange juice, pears, dried fruits (apricots, dates, figs, prunes), and prune juice

• Vegetables: asparagus, avocado, artichoke, bamboo shoots, beets, brussels sprouts, cabbage, celery, chard, okra, potatoes (white and sweet), pumpkin, rutabaga, spinach (cooked), squash, tomato, tomato sauce, tomato juice, and vegetable juice cocktail

• Legumes: black-eyed peas, chickpeas, lentils, lima beans, navy beans, red kidney beans, soybeans, and split peas

• Nuts and seeds: almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, peanuts, peanut butter, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and walnuts

• Breads and cereals: bran and whole-grain products

• Dairy foods: milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt

• Animal protein: all forms of animal protein

• Other: chocolate, cocoa, coconut milk, and molasses

Tips

• Ask your healthcare provider how much potassium you are allowed each day. This will help you figure out serving sizes for your needs.

• Check labels for potassium. It may be listed as potassium chloride.

• Don't use salt substitutes. These often have potassium in them.

• Cook frozen fruits and vegetables in water. Rinse and drain them well before eating.

• Drain liquid from all canned fruits and vegetables. Rinse them before eating.

• Reduce the potassium in potatoes. Peel them, slice thinly, and soak in water for at least 4 hours.

• Reduce the potassium in green leafy vegetables. Soak them in water for at least 4 hours.

• Eat white rice and refined white flour products. These include white bread, pasta, and grits.

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment as advised by your healthcare provider.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Tiredness (fatigue)

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Slow, irregular heartbeat

• Fainting

• Dizziness

• Lightheadedness

• Confusion

• Feeling like your heart is pounding (palpitations)