What fruits are good for lowering potassium levels?

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Kidney Foundation, people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may need to monitor their potassium intake, making it vital to know what fruits are good for lowering potassium levels. Understanding which fruits are low in this mineral is a delicious and healthy way to manage your diet, especially when guided by a healthcare professional.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the best low-potassium fruit options, explains which high-potassium fruits should be limited, and offers practical tips for managing potassium intake through diet and portion control.

Key Points

Low Potassium Choices: Enjoy apples, berries, grapes, pineapple, and plums as part of a low-potassium diet.
Avoid High Potassium: Limit or completely avoid bananas, avocados, dried fruits, and high-potassium melons.
Watch Portion Sizes: Be mindful of serving sizes, as even low-potassium foods can increase intake if consumed in large quantities.
Drain Canned Fruit: To reduce potassium in canned fruits, always drain and rinse them to remove the liquid they were packed in.
Consult a Professional: Always talk to a doctor or renal dietitian before making significant dietary changes to ensure it's right for your specific health needs.
Favor Fresh over Dried: Dried fruit is a concentrated source of potassium, so choose fresh fruit whenever possible.

Understanding Potassium and Its Role in Diet

Potassium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in regulating fluid balance, nerve signals, and muscle contractions. For most people, a diet rich in potassium is healthy. However, for individuals with compromised kidney function, the kidneys may not be able to effectively filter excess potassium from the blood, leading to a condition called hyperkalemia. This can cause serious health issues, including irregular heartbeats. In such cases, managing dietary potassium is a necessary part of health management, and that includes being selective about fruit choices.

Low-Potassium Fruits to Enjoy

There are many delicious and nutritious fruits that are low in potassium and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. Serving sizes are crucial, and a standard low-potassium serving is generally considered to be about ½ cup. Here are some of the best options:

Apples: A classic choice, apples are low in potassium and a great source of fiber and antioxidants. One medium apple is a perfect serving size. Applesauce is also a good option.
Berries: All berries—including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries—are excellent low-potassium fruits. They are packed with antioxidants and vitamins and are versatile for snacks or desserts.
Cherries: These small fruits are naturally low in potassium and can be eaten fresh or canned (be sure to drain canned fruit thoroughly).
Grapes: Both red and green grapes are low in potassium and a refreshing choice.
Pineapple: This tropical fruit is a flavorful, low-potassium option and is also a good source of vitamin C.
Peaches: A small fresh peach or a ½-cup serving of canned peaches (drained) is a good low-potassium choice.
Pears: Similar to peaches, a small fresh pear or drained canned pear can be part of a low-potassium diet.
Plums: A single plum is a low-potassium fruit to enjoy.
Watermelon: While it's a melon, watermelon is lower in potassium than its counterparts like cantaloupe and honeydew. One cup is a good portion to stick to.
Mandarin Oranges and Tangerines: These smaller citrus fruits have significantly less potassium than a regular orange, but serving size should still be controlled.

High-Potassium Fruits to Limit or Avoid

For those on a low-potassium diet, it is important to be aware of fruits that are high in potassium and to limit or avoid them. These include:

Bananas: A single medium-sized banana can contain over 400 mg of potassium, making it a high-potassium food.
Avocados: One whole avocado contains a very high amount of potassium, making it unsuitable for a low-potassium diet.
Dried Fruits: Concentrated versions of fruit like dried apricots, raisins, prunes, and dates are all very high in potassium due to the removal of water.
Melons: Cantaloupe and honeydew are generally higher in potassium and should be limited or eaten in very small portions.
Oranges and Orange Juice: Despite being a great source of vitamin C, a full-size orange and especially its juice can contain a high level of potassium.
Pomegranates: This fruit and its juice are high in potassium.
Kiwi: The potassium content in kiwi is higher than many other fruits.

Comparison of Low vs. High Potassium Fruits

To help visualize the difference, here is a comparison table of typical servings.


Fruit	Typical Low Potassium Serving	Potassium (mg) per Serving	High Potassium Fruit	Typical Serving	Potassium (mg) per Serving
Apple	1 medium	~195	Banana	1 medium	~422
Blueberries	½ cup	~65	Avocado	½ whole	~488
Strawberries	½ cup	~127	Cantaloupe	1 cup	~473
Grapes	½ cup	~150	Dried Apricots	¼ cup	~378
Pineapple	½ cup	~180	Orange	1 medium	~237

Tips for Managing Potassium from Fruit

Beyond simply choosing the right fruits, a few strategies can help manage potassium intake effectively:

Mind Your Portions: Even low-potassium fruits can become high-potassium sources if eaten in large quantities. Stick to recommended serving sizes.
Cooking Canned Fruits: If using canned fruit, be sure to drain and rinse it, as much of the potassium can leach into the canning liquid.
Choose Fresh Over Dried: Always opt for fresh fruit over dried fruit. The drying process concentrates all the nutrients, including potassium, significantly.
Juice Dilution: Fruit juices, even from low-potassium fruits, can be more concentrated in potassium. It is best to stick to fresh fruit or dilute juices with water.
Consult a Professional: It is highly recommended to consult a doctor or a registered dietitian, particularly one specializing in renal diets, to determine your specific potassium needs.

Conclusion

Making informed choices about the fruits you eat is a simple yet powerful way to manage your potassium levels. By focusing on low-potassium options like apples, berries, and pineapples, while being mindful of portion sizes and avoiding high-potassium fruits like bananas and dried fruit, you can enjoy a flavorful and healthy diet that supports your overall well-being, especially kidney health. Always remember to discuss any dietary changes with a healthcare professional to ensure they are appropriate for your individual needs. For more resources on kidney-friendly diets, visit the National Kidney Foundation's website: National Kidney Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fruits that are very high in potassium and should be limited or avoided include bananas, avocados, dried fruits (raisins, prunes), cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and oranges.

Most fruit juices, especially orange and prune juice, are high in potassium and should be limited or avoided. Low-potassium alternatives include apple, grape, and cranberry juices, often in smaller amounts or diluted with water.

Yes, canned fruits can be a good low-potassium option, but it is essential to drain the liquid they are packed in. Rinsing the fruit can also help reduce potassium further.

Portion size is critical. Eating a large amount of a low-potassium fruit can increase your overall potassium intake significantly. Stick to the recommended serving size, which is typically ½ cup for many fruits.

Yes, watermelon is considered a low-potassium fruit, especially when compared to other melons like cantaloupe. However, it is still recommended to limit your portion to about one cup.

For fruits, cooking methods have less of an impact compared to vegetables, but for canned options, draining the liquid is the most effective way to lower potassium content.

Excellent low-potassium fruit snacks include a small handful of berries (strawberries, blueberries), a small apple, or a few grapes. These offer good flavor and nutrients without a high potassium load.