Which food has low potassium? A guide to making kidney-friendly choices

November 29, 2025 •

3 min read

The average healthy adult aims for 3,500 to 4,500 mg of potassium daily, but people with certain conditions, like kidney disease, need to monitor their intake closely. Understanding exactly which food has low potassium is the first crucial step toward managing a modified diet and maintaining good health.

Quick Summary

A low-potassium diet focuses on consuming foods with less than 200mg of potassium per serving, such as specific fruits, vegetables, and grains. This nutritional guide provides a detailed breakdown of low-potassium options and cooking techniques to reduce mineral content.

Key Points

Portion Control is Key: Even low-potassium foods can contribute to a high overall intake if consumed in large quantities, so proper serving sizes are crucial.
Boil Your Vegetables: Preparing certain vegetables, like potatoes, by peeling, soaking, and boiling can reduce their potassium content significantly.
Choose Low-Potassium Fruits: Opt for apples, berries, pears, and pineapple over high-potassium alternatives like bananas, oranges, and dried fruits.
Select Lean Proteins Wisely: Unprocessed meats, fish, and eggs are generally low in potassium, while legumes and nuts are typically higher.
Read Food Labels Carefully: Watch for 'potassium chloride' in processed foods and 'salt substitutes' as these are high in potassium.
Limit Dairy Intake: Cow's milk and yogurt are high in potassium; consider lower-potassium alternatives like rice or oat milk.
Hydrate with Approved Beverages: Stick to water, clear sodas, and low-potassium juices like apple or grape juice, limiting coffee and high-potassium fruit juices.

Potassium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in maintaining fluid balance, nerve signals, and muscle contractions. The kidneys are responsible for regulating potassium levels in the blood, and when they aren't working efficiently, potassium can build up, a condition called hyperkalemia. A diet low in potassium helps to manage this condition and prevent serious complications, particularly heart problems.

Low Potassium Fruits

For those on a low-potassium diet, plenty of delicious fruit options are available. Low-potassium fruits typically contain less than 200 mg of potassium per half-cup serving.

Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries are excellent choices.
Apples: Fresh apples and unsweetened applesauce are safe and delicious.
Pears: Both fresh and canned pears (drained) are low in potassium.
Grapes: A half-cup of grapes is considered a low-potassium serving.
Citrus: Mandarin oranges and clementines are low-potassium citrus options.
Melon: Watermelon, in limited quantities (e.g., one cup), is also low in potassium.
Canned Fruit: Canned varieties of fruit cocktail, peaches, and apricots are good choices, but be sure to drain the liquid before consuming.

Low Potassium Vegetables

Including vegetables in a low-potassium diet requires careful selection and preparation. Some raw vegetables are naturally low, while others benefit from specific cooking techniques.

Cruciferous Vegetables: Raw or frozen broccoli and cabbage are good options.
Carrots: Cooked carrots have a lower potassium content than raw carrots.
Salad Greens: Iceberg lettuce and other green salads are typically low in potassium.
Cucumber and Celery: These vegetables are hydrating and low in potassium.
Squash: Yellow squash and zucchini are low-potassium vegetables.
Root Vegetables: Carrots (cooked) and radishes are suitable options.
Peppers and Onions: Green, red, and yellow peppers, along with onions, can be used freely.
Other Options: Asparagus, cauliflower, eggplant, green beans, and water chestnuts (canned) are also low in potassium.

Other Low Potassium Food Categories

Proteins

Meat and Poultry: Fresh, unprocessed beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and turkey are good sources of lean protein.
Fish: Many fresh fish options, including canned tuna (drained), are suitable.
Eggs: Eggs are an excellent protein source.
Tofu: Steamed tofu in measured portions is acceptable.

Grains and Starches

Refined Grains: White bread, white rice, white pasta, and plain noodles are low in potassium.
Cereals: Cornflakes, Rice Krispies, and Shredded Wheat are good choices. Avoid bran cereals.

Dairy and Alternatives

Cheese: Hard cheeses are generally lower in potassium than milk.
Cream Cheese: Full-fat soft cheese and cream cheese are acceptable in moderation.
Milk: Intake of cow's milk and yogurt should be limited. Oat and rice milk are lower-potassium alternatives.

Cooking Methods to Reduce Potassium

Food preparation can significantly impact the potassium content of certain foods, especially potatoes and vegetables.

Peel and soak: Peel potatoes and other vegetables, cut them into small pieces, and soak them in a large pot of warm water for at least two hours.
Boil thoroughly: After soaking, cook the vegetables in a fresh pot of unsalted water until tender. Discard all the cooking water.
Avoid steaming: Steaming or microwaving locks in potassium, so these methods should be avoided for high-potassium vegetables.
Drain canned goods: Always drain the liquid from canned fruits and vegetables, as potassium leaches into the fluid.

Low vs. High Potassium Food Comparison


Food Category	Low Potassium Choices (approx. 1/2 cup)	High Potassium Foods (to limit or avoid)
Fruits	Apples, blueberries, grapes, peaches, pears, pineapple	Avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, dried fruits (raisins, prunes)
Vegetables	Cabbage, cooked carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, green beans	Potatoes, tomatoes, cooked spinach, winter squash (acorn, butternut)
Protein	Fresh chicken, beef, eggs, canned tuna (drained)	Beans (baked, black), lentils, nuts, seeds
Dairy	Hard cheeses, cream cheese, rice milk, oat milk	Cow's milk, yogurt, milkshakes, ice cream
Grains	White bread, white rice, pasta, plain noodles, cornflakes	Whole grains, bran cereals, granola
Drinks	Water, cranberry juice, apple juice, clear soda, tea (limited)	Coffee (large amounts), orange juice, prune juice, vegetable juice

Conclusion: Crafting a Balanced Low Potassium Diet

Managing your potassium intake is vital for anyone with hyperkalemia or chronic kidney disease. While many healthy foods contain potassium, a low-potassium diet does not need to be restrictive or bland. By making informed choices, controlling portion sizes, and using specific cooking techniques like boiling, you can create a satisfying and varied meal plan. Remember that individual dietary needs vary, so always work with a doctor or dietitian to create a personalized plan. For additional resources and support, visit the official National Kidney Foundation website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe fruits include apples, unsweetened applesauce, berries like strawberries and blueberries, peaches, pears, pineapple, and plums. Remember to monitor portion sizes to keep intake low.

Vegetables low in potassium include asparagus, cabbage, cooked carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, kale, and lettuce. Raw mushrooms, onions, and radishes are also good choices.

To lower the potassium in potatoes, peel them, cut them into small pieces, and soak them in warm water for at least two hours. After soaking, boil them in fresh, unsalted water until tender and discard the water.

Dairy products like cow's milk and yogurt are high in potassium and should be limited. However, hard cheeses, cream cheese, rice milk, and oat milk are generally lower in potassium.

Yes, eggs are a good protein source that is relatively low in potassium and can be a regular part of a low-potassium diet.

Yes, boiling vegetables in a large amount of water and then discarding the water can significantly reduce potassium levels. Microwaving or steaming, however, retains most of the potassium.

Canned fruits and vegetables, like peaches or green beans, can be low in potassium if you drain and rinse them thoroughly. The canning fluid absorbs much of the potassium.