Low potassium diet
Date issued: June 2026
Review date: January 2028
Leaflet section: Renal
PDF: Low potassium diet.pdf [pdf] 153KB
Kidney Dietitians
Why do I need to follow a low potassium diet?
Potassium is a mineral found naturally in many foods. It is needed in the body for your muscles and heart to work properly. The kidneys normally control the level of potassium in your blood, but in kidney failure, this control is lost and levels can become too high.
Ideally, your potassium level should be between 3.5 - 5.3 mmol/L
This leaflet gives you some initial advice to help you reduce the amount of potassium in your diet. Not everyone needs the same level of restriction, and so your dietitian may suggest avoiding just some foods in your diet which may be enough to lower your blood levels.
You should only follow a low potassium diet if a health care professional has advised you to do so.
Potassium additives
An increasing number of processed foods contain potassium additives. This type of potassium is much more easily absorbed into your blood stream. To reduce your intake of potassium additives you should:
-
Limit your intake of processed foods as much as possible
-
Check the ingredients list on food labels for potassium additives. Common potassium additives include: di and tripotassium phosphate, tetrapotassium diphosphate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, potassium chloride, potassium sorbate.
The following products commonly contain potassium additives:
-
Breaded and battered meat/fish
-
Bacon, cooked sliced meats (ham, chicken, turkey etc), gammon
-
Cheese spreads
-
Instant noodles
-
Soft drinks (containing potassium sorbate)
-
Crisps and savoury snacks
All products and manufacturers differ, so it is important to check food labels and different brands for potassium additives.
Low potassium cooking methods
Cut up vegetables and potatoes into small pieces and boil in plenty of water, this reduces their potassium content.
Throw away vegetable cooking water, do not use for gravy/stock
Boiled vegetables/potatoes can then be fried, roasted or added to soups and casseroles
| High potassium foods to limit | Lower potassium alternative to choose instead |
|---|---|
|
Snacks: potato-based crisps/snacks, nuts, chocolate, fudge, liquorice, marzipan Biscuits or cake containing nuts, dried fruit or chocolate |
Corn, wheat or maize based snacks (*see additive section), popcorn, mints, boiled/jelly sweets, marshmallow Biscuits or cake not containing nuts, dried fruit or chocolate |
|
Drinks: coffee, fruit juice, smoothies, malted drinks (e.g. Ovaltine®, Horlicks®), drinking chocolate, vegetable juice Wine, beer, cider and stout Milk: limit to 1/2 pint (300ml) per day or 1/3 pint (200ml) plus 1 pot of yoghurt |
Tea, herbal tea, squash/cordial, mineral water Spirits are generally lower in potassium. |
|
Misc: tomato sauce, brown sauce, marmite, peanut butter, chocolate spread, pesto LoSalt® or salt substitutes |
Mayonnaise, horseradish, honey, jam, marmalade Herbs, pepper and spices |
|
Potatoes and starchy foods: jacket potatoes, chips, potato products i.e. hash browns, potato waffles Un-boiled cassava/yam/sweet potato |
Boiled potatoes, parboiled homemade chips/roast potatoes Boiled cassava/yam/sweet potato Pasta, rice, noodles, breads |
| Vegetables: Green leafy vegetables (except if boiled), beetroot, tomato puree, mushrooms, lentils and pulses | Boil vegetables if possible. Limit salads to one small bowlful per day |
| Fruit: Bananas, dried fruit, avocado | Limit fruit to 3 portions per day. A portion is about a handful |
Useful contact numbers and websites:
Kidney Dietitians: 01752 439961
Other formats
If you need this leaflet in another format such as Braille, large print, high contrast, British Sign Language or translated into another language, contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS):
-
01752 439694
