Nutrition Guide: What Fast Food Is High in Potassium?

October 17, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that a single medium serving of fast-food french fries can contain over 400 mg of potassium?. This makes understanding what fast food is high in potassium particularly important for those who need to monitor their mineral intake. For individuals on a restrictive diet, especially for kidney health, the high potassium content of many popular menu items can be a significant concern.

Quick Summary

Many common fast-food items, including french fries, large beef burgers, chicken sandwiches, and bean-based burritos, contain significant amounts of potassium. The high levels often come from key ingredients like potatoes, meat, and processed additives. This article explores specific items and offers guidance for moderation.

Key Points

Potatoes are a primary source: Fast-food fries are exceptionally high in potassium, with medium servings from major chains contributing significantly to daily intake.
Large beef burgers pack a punch: Double or larger burgers, like Burger King's Double Whopper, contain substantial potassium from the large meat patties.
Beans contribute heavily: Mexican-style fast-food items featuring beans, such as burritos, are often high in potassium due to the legume base.
Watch the sides and drinks: Beyond fries, items like hot chocolate, milkshakes, and other potato-based sides can also add up.
Prioritize whole foods: While fast food can be a source of potassium, it's generally best to get this nutrient from whole foods to avoid excessive sodium, saturated fats, and processed additives.
Check nutritional facts: Most fast-food restaurants provide nutritional information online, allowing you to review the potassium content of specific items before ordering.

Common Fast-Food Offenders High in Potassium

Potassium is a vital electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance, nerve signals, and muscle contractions. However, obtaining a high dose from processed fast food, often coupled with excessive sodium, can be problematic for some individuals, particularly those with kidney disease. The primary culprits on most fast-food menus tend to be those made with potatoes, large quantities of meat, or beans. For example, a medium serving of Wendy's fries is cited as having a significant 888 mg of potassium. A medium serving of Burger King fries contains 715 mg of potassium.

Potatoes in Many Forms

Potatoes are naturally rich in potassium, and when prepared as fast-food french fries, they deliver a concentrated dose of this mineral.

French Fries: As noted, these are one of the most concentrated sources of fast-food potassium, with medium servings from major chains often exceeding 400 mg.
Potato Chips: Fast-food menu snacks like potato chips also contribute substantially, with a 1 oz serving containing over 300 mg of potassium.

Large Meat-Based Meals

Larger servings of meat, especially in multi-patty burgers, are another key source. The potassium content increases with the size of the meal.

Double and Triple Burgers: A Burger King Double Whopper with cheese contains 796 mg of potassium. The sheer amount of beef significantly boosts the mineral content.
Homestyle Chicken Sandwiches: Processed and larger chicken fillets, such as the homestyle chicken filet sandwich from Wendy's, can also be high, with one example containing 524 mg.

Mexican-Style Fast Food with Beans

Items from Mexican-style fast-food chains that feature beans as a primary ingredient can be high in potassium, as legumes are a known source.

Bean Burritos: A Taco Bell Bean Burrito provides 483 mg of potassium.
Chicken Burrito Supreme: The Taco Bell Chicken Burrito Supreme is even higher, at 655 mg.
Taco Salads: The Fiesta Taco Salad with beef from Taco Bell can be especially high, topping 1,000 mg.

Other Surprising Sources

Potassium can also be found in other fast-food items, often in less-obvious forms.

Dairy-Based Drinks: Hot chocolate, milkshakes, and cappuccinos can be surprisingly high in potassium due to their dairy content.
Breakfast Sandwiches: Sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches from places like Burger King (Croissan'wich) and McDonald's (Sausage McMuffin with egg) add moderate amounts of potassium to a meal.

The Nutritional Downside of Fast Food Potassium

While potassium is beneficial, the context in which it is consumed is crucial. The high potassium in fast food is often part of a less-than-ideal nutritional profile. Fast food is frequently high in sodium, unhealthy saturated fats, and empty calories. For instance, a medium Burger King french fry serving has 715 mg potassium but also 570 mg of sodium. The high sodium content can counteract some of potassium's beneficial effects on blood pressure and may lead to other health complications, especially for those with existing medical conditions.

Comparison of High-Potassium Fast Food Items

To put these numbers into perspective, here is a comparison of potassium and sodium levels in some popular fast-food items based on nutritional data.


Item	Fast Food Chain	Serving Size	Potassium (mg)	Sodium (mg)
Double Whopper (with cheese)	Burger King	421g	796	1780
French Fries (medium)	Wendy's	142g	888	440
French Fries (medium)	Burger King	153g	715	570
Burrito Supreme (chicken)	Taco Bell	248g	655	1060
Homestyle Chicken Sandwich	Wendy's	247g	524	1200

Navigating Fast Food for a Balanced Diet

It is possible to manage potassium intake even when eating fast food by being mindful of your choices. For those without dietary restrictions, enjoying these items in moderation is key. If you need to monitor your potassium, consider these strategies:

Opt for Smaller Portions: Choosing a small size of fries instead of a medium or large can significantly reduce the potassium load.
Prioritize Grilled Options: Selecting grilled chicken sandwiches or other non-fried alternatives can lower both potassium and unhealthy fat intake.
Customize Your Order: Ask for no cheese or request less sauce, as additives in many sauces can contain extra potassium and sodium.
Check Nutritional Information: Many fast-food websites publish detailed nutritional data. Take advantage of this resource to make informed decisions before you order.

Conclusion

While many people associate fast food with empty calories, it's clear that some popular items are surprisingly high in potassium. Key sources include french fries, large meat-based sandwiches and burgers, and bean-filled burritos. However, this potassium often comes as part of a high-sodium, high-fat meal. For those who need to control their potassium levels, making informed choices and opting for moderation are essential. By checking nutritional information and customizing your order, you can better manage your intake while still occasionally enjoying fast-food convenience.

For more detailed nutritional information on potassium, consult reliable sources like the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.(https://www.dietarygudelines.gov/food-sources-potassium)

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all fast food is high in potassium, but many popular items are. The potassium content largely depends on ingredients like potatoes, beans, and meat. A simple hamburger may be lower in potassium than a large, multi-patty burger or a side of french fries.

Yes, you can reduce the potassium content in potatoes by boiling them, but this is typically done at home. For fast-food fries, the potassium is set. Your best option is to order a smaller portion or choose a different, lower-potassium side item.

The potassium content in chicken nuggets varies by chain and serving size. A 6-piece order of chicken nuggets from Burger King, for instance, contains 313 mg of potassium, while a 6-piece order from McDonald's contains 239 mg.

Larger burgers contain more meat, and meat is a natural source of potassium. A larger patty or multiple patties mean a higher overall intake of the mineral from the protein source.

Lower-potassium alternatives often include small, plain burgers (without cheese or heavy sauces), simple salads with low-potassium vegetables like lettuce and onions, and grilled chicken sandwiches (where available).

Yes, cooking can affect potassium content. Frying does not significantly reduce potassium, and it concentrates the mineral. For those on a restricted diet, opting for grilled or roasted items is often a better choice, as they tend to have lower sodium and fat content.

Most major fast-food chains provide detailed nutritional information on their websites. You can usually find a nutritional calculator or a PDF document outlining the potassium content and other nutritional facts for all their menu items.