ask: Does anyone have a list of LOW POTASSIUM FOODS ? I have to lower my potassium, due to kidney disease.

Hi Downshire,

I have forwarded your question to EmpowHer's community manager who will help you get the answers you need.

Together we'll get to the bottom of this.

Best of health,

-Todd

Hello Downshire, Looks like the National Kidney Foundation has a pretty extensive list of low (and high) potassium foods. Low potassium foods include apples, carrots, corn, grapes and cucumbers. Portion size is important, however. Eating more than 1 portion can make a lower potassium food into a higher potassium food, they say. They also offer a list of high potassium foods so you know which to avoid. High potassium foods include apricots, bananas, cantelope and oranges. They even give you instructions for leaching high potassium foods so you can still enjoy them.

For a complete list, visit http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozItem.cfm?id=103

Dear Downshire,

I love the fact that you are 70 years young! I didn't even realize that if you have kidney disease, you should be eating low-potassium foods. I find that fascinating, since my husband has had to have a kidney removed. No one ever told him that he should watch the potassium intake in his diet. You've opened our eyes to something that we didn't know. I actually asked my husband when they removed his kidney if he remembers them telling him to eat low-potassium foods, and so now I'm on a quest, for you and for him! As Todd said, we need to get to the bottom of this. I'll try to get back with you as soon as I can, and as soon as I have some answers. Best in health, Michelle

Go to Google and check Potassium Diets and you will get many plces to check.

Like Downshire, I just found out that I have mild kidney disease. My doctor only gave me a sheet with foods to avoid. Not telling me what I can or should eat. This site has given me a boost because I found the information I needed from www.kidney.org...I see my doctor tomorrow, so now I am armed with more information than he gave me. Believe me, I was not a happy camper with the news.

Thanks for sharing. I am surprised that doctors don't offer more resources and direction on the "real life" information that we need, once diagnosed with a condition or disease. We are probably told about our symptoms and some (not all) treatment options, but not about how to actually LIVE with our diagnosis...day-to-day: eating, sleeping, physical activity, emotional well-being, etc.

Good for you for seeking more information, and being "armed" with it, before going to the doctor's office. We would love for you to write back and tell us how the doctor's office went. Plus, if you could tell us about "mild kidney disease": what is it, what are the symptoms, causes (if known), treatment options, how are you feeling about it, etc.

Thanks again for sharing!

Low potassium foods
1 serving of the following can be considered to be low potassium food. 1 serving implies ½ cup. More than 1 serving of the following can make it high potassium food.

General foods

* Bread (bread products)
* Cake – angel, yellow
* Coffee ( maximum 8 ounces)
* Cookies (without nuts or chocolate)
* Noodles
* Pasta
* Pies (without chocolate or high-potassium foods)
* Rice
* Tea (maximum 16 ounces)

Vegetables

* Alfalfa sprouts
* Asparagus – 6 spears
* Beans (wax or green)
* Cabbage (red and green)
* Canned Chestnuts
* Carrots (cooked)
* Celery (1 stalk)
* Corn (Fresh - ½ ear, Frozen - ½ cup)
* Cucumber
* Eggplant
* Fresh mushrooms
* Green Peas
* Kale
* Leached potatoes
* Lettuce
* Mixed vegetables
* Okra
* Onions
* Parsley
* Peppers
* Radish
* Rhubarb
* Water
* Watercress

Fruits

* Apple – 1 medium/juice/sauce
* Apricots, canned in juice
* Blackberries
* Blueberries
* Cherries
* Cranberries
* Fruit cocktail
* Grapes (juice)
* Grapefruit, ½ whole
* Mandarin oranges
* Peaches – Fresh (1 small), Canned (½ cup)
* Pears – Fresh (1 small), Canned (½ cup)
* Pineapple (juice)
* Plums – 1 whole
* Raspberries
* Strawberries
* Tangerine – 1 whole
* Watermelon – 1 cup