Low Potassium Dietary Advice Heart Failure
Date issued: October 2022
Review date: October 2024
Ref: C-412/SW/Dietetics/Low potassium advice v2
PDF: Low potassium advice heart failure final October 2022 v2.pdf [pdf] 198KB
You should only follow a low potassium diet if you have been advised by your healthcare professional to do so.
This leaflet will help you to reduce the amount of potassium in your diet. The length of time you need to follow this diet will be advised by your healthcare professional as many people will not need to continue this permanently. Whilst following this advice it is important that your diet remains well balanced and your healthcare professional may refer you to a registered dietitian to provide further advice or support.
What is Potassium?
Potassium is a mineral which is needed in the body for your muscles and heart to work properly, and the level in the blood is normally controlled by your kidneys. Many people with heart failure take medications which may cause the potassium level to rise. High levels of potassium in the blood can be dangerous as it can have an effect on your heart. Reducing the amount of potassium in your diet will help control the level of potassium in your blood.
Controlling Your Potassium Level
Potassium is found in many foods and drinks. You do not necessarily have to avoid all high potassium foods; it may be sufficient to just reduce your intake of these foods and consume them in moderation. Ask your healthcare professional or dietitian for more advice.
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:
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Check the ingredients list on food labels for potassium additives. Common potassium additives include:
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The following products commonly contain potassium additives:
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All products differ, so it is worth comparing different brands as some may not contain potassium additives.
Please note that manufacturers often change ingredients, so it is worth re-checking labels from time to time.
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High potassium |
Lower potassium alternative |
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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 |
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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 |
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Fruit: Bananas, dried fruit, avocado |
Limit fruit to 3 portions per day. A portion is about a handful |
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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 |
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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. Remember to keep within safe limits for alcohol intake |
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Misc: tomato sauce, brown sauce, marmite, peanut butter, chocolate spread, pesto LoSalt or salt substitutes |
Mayonnaise, horseradish, honey, jam, marmalade Herbs, pepper and spices
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Low potassium cooking methods:
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Cut up vegetables and potatoes into small pieces and boil in plenty of water, this reduces their potassium content.
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Throw away vegetable cooking water, do not use for gravy/stock
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Boiled vegetables/potatoes can then be fried, roasted or added to soups and casseroles
Patient Name …………………………………………………. Date ………………….
Healthcare Professional Name: …………………………… Tel: ……………………
