What Can I Eat to Bring My Potassium Levels Down?

October 13, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Kidney Foundation, hyperkalemia, or high blood potassium, is a serious condition that can occur when the kidneys are not functioning properly. Learning what can I eat to bring my potassium levels down is a key dietary strategy for managing this condition and preventing potentially life-threatening complications.

Quick Summary

A low-potassium diet involves selecting low-potassium foods while limiting those with high concentrations of the mineral. Proper food preparation, such as leaching vegetables, can also reduce potassium content. The exact daily potassium limit should be determined by a healthcare provider, especially for individuals with chronic kidney disease.

Key Points

Prioritize Low-Potassium Foods: Focus your meals around low-potassium fruits like apples and berries, and vegetables such as carrots and cauliflower.
Restrict High-Potassium Sources: Significantly limit or completely avoid high-potassium foods like bananas, potatoes, dried fruits, nuts, and chocolate.
Modify Cooking Methods: Use techniques like leaching for certain vegetables, which involves peeling, soaking, and boiling them in large amounts of water to reduce potassium content.
Watch Portion Sizes: Be mindful of serving sizes, as consuming large amounts of even low-potassium foods can still increase overall intake.
Avoid Salt Substitutes: Many salt substitutes contain potassium chloride and should be avoided on a low-potassium diet.
Consult a Healthcare Professional: A high potassium level requires a medical diagnosis. Always work with a doctor or dietitian to create a safe and effective low-potassium diet plan.

Understanding a Low-Potassium Diet

When your blood potassium levels are too high, a condition known as hyperkalemia, it is often due to an underlying medical issue, most commonly chronic kidney disease. The kidneys typically filter excess potassium from the blood, but when they don't function efficiently, levels can rise to dangerous levels, potentially affecting heart function. While it is important to follow medical advice, dietary changes are a cornerstone of management. A low-potassium diet typically restricts intake to 2,000 to 3,000 mg per day, though the specific amount depends on the individual's condition.

Low-Potassium Food Choices

Focusing on foods with lower potassium content is crucial for those who need to reduce their levels. This approach allows for balanced nutrition without overwhelming the body's ability to process the mineral.

Fruits (Serving size approx. ½ cup):

Apples and applesauce
Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Cherries
Canned peaches and pears (drained)
Plums
Grapes
Watermelon (1 cup serving)
Pineapple

Vegetables (Serving size approx. ½ cup):

Asparagus
Carrots (cooked)
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Cucumber
Eggplant
Green or wax beans
Kale
Onions
Peas
Peppers
Radishes
Summer squash (yellow or zucchini)

Proteins (Portion control is key):

Fresh chicken, turkey, or pork
Fresh or canned tuna (drained)
Eggs and egg whites
Cottage cheese and soft cheeses (in moderation)

Grains and Starches:

White bread, pasta, and rice
Corn and rice cereals
Plain noodles
Unbuttered popcorn

Beverages:

Water
Apple, grape, or pineapple juice (in moderation)
Coffee (limit to 8 oz/day)
Tea (limit to 16 oz/day)

High-Potassium Foods to Limit or Avoid

To manage high potassium, it is equally important to know which foods to limit or avoid altogether. Many foods that are otherwise considered healthy are naturally high in potassium.

Fruits:

Bananas
Dried fruits (raisins, prunes, dates, apricots)
Oranges and orange juice
Cantaloupe, honeydew melon
Avocados
Nectarines
Pomegranates

Vegetables:

Potatoes and sweet potatoes
Tomatoes and tomato-based products (sauce, paste, juice)
Cooked spinach and other leafy greens (except kale)
Squash (acorn, butternut)
Dried beans and legumes (lentils, kidney beans, baked beans)

Other Items to Avoid:

Salt substitutes containing potassium chloride
Milk, yogurt, and most dairy products (limit portion sizes)
Nuts and seeds
Chocolate
Bran and whole-grain cereals

Low vs. High Potassium Foods Comparison Table


Food Type	Low-Potassium Examples	High-Potassium Examples (Limit or Avoid)
Fruits	Apples, berries, grapes	Bananas, oranges, dried fruits, avocados
Vegetables	Carrots (cooked), cabbage, cauliflower	Potatoes, tomatoes, cooked spinach
Proteins	Chicken, fresh fish, eggs	Beans, lentils, red meat
Grains	White rice, white pasta	Whole-grain bread, bran cereals
Dairy	Cottage cheese (small portion)	Milk, yogurt, ice cream
Beverages	Water, apple juice (limit)	Orange juice, vegetable juice, milkshakes
Misc.	Plain cookies, yellow cake	Nuts, chocolate, salt substitutes

Food Preparation Techniques to Lower Potassium

For certain high-potassium foods that you don't want to eliminate entirely, specific cooking methods can help reduce their mineral content. This process is known as leaching.

Peel and Cut: Start by peeling the vegetables (like potatoes or carrots) and cutting them into small, thin pieces.
Soak: Place the cut vegetables in a large pot of warm water. Use at least 10 times more water than vegetables.
Wait and Rinse: Let them soak for at least two hours, changing the water every four hours if soaking longer. Rinse them again with warm water.
Boil: Cook the vegetables in a new pot with a large amount of fresh, unsalted water. Drain the water completely after cooking.
Discard Liquid: The liquid used for soaking and boiling will contain high amounts of potassium. Discard this water and avoid using it for sauces or gravies.

Conclusion

Effectively managing high potassium levels through diet is a critical aspect of care for those with kidney issues or other related medical conditions. By understanding which foods contain low versus high levels of potassium, and by utilizing proper preparation techniques like leaching, individuals can make informed dietary choices that support their health. Always consult with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes to ensure your plan is safe and tailored to your specific needs. Your doctor may also recommend other treatments, such as medications, in conjunction with dietary modifications.

Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any dietary changes. For more detailed guidance, the National Kidney Foundation is an authoritative resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

A food is generally considered low in potassium if it contains 200 milligrams (mg) or less of potassium per serving.

No, bananas are very high in potassium, with one medium banana containing about 425 mg. They should be limited or avoided entirely if you need to lower your potassium levels.

Leaching is a process that reduces the potassium content in vegetables by soaking and boiling them in water. Since potassium is water-soluble, it transfers from the vegetable into the water, which is then discarded.

Canned fruits and vegetables can be a lower potassium option, but it is important to drain and rinse them thoroughly to wash away any potassium that has seeped into the canning liquid.

Most dairy products, including milk and yogurt, are high in potassium. They should be limited or avoided, though some options like cottage cheese or non-dairy alternatives may be acceptable in small portions.

You can use regular salt in moderation, but you should completely avoid salt substitutes, as most contain potassium chloride, which will raise your potassium levels.

No, whole grains and bran products are typically high in potassium. Refined grains like white rice and white bread are better choices for managing potassium intake.