While not considered a high potassium food, the potassium in cheese should absolutely be made aware. On average, one ounce of cheese will provide about 35 milligrams of potassium. The cheese with the most potassium is processed cheese (like the cheese-in-a-can products).
A low potassium food can become high in potassium if you eat a large portion. You should limit dairy products (milk, yogurt) to ½ cup or 4 oz per day, or 1 oz low sodium cheese. Speak with your nutritionist about how much you can eat each day. !
Yogurt, cream and milk are highest in potassium. These foods are also low sodium, making them an excellent choice for heart health.
Most dairy foods are very high in phosphorus. People with kidney disease should limit their daily intake of milk, yogurt, and cheese to ½ cup milk, or ½ cup yogurt or 1-ounce cheese.
Hard cheeses such as cheddar, Edam and Red Leicester are high in phosphate. Better options include: cream cheese • cottage cheese • mozzarella • feta • brie • Stilton.
Tips to limit phosphorus in your diet
If you use yogurt or cheese instead of liquid milk, have only one container of yogurt or 1.5 ounces of cheese per day. Some vegetables also contain phosphorus. Limit these to 1 cup per week: Dried beans.
Gruyere cheese has some of the least amount of potassium.
Water pills (diuretics) help rid your body of extra potassium. They work by making your kidney create more urine. Potassium is normally removed through urine. Potassium binders often come in the form of a powder.
Lower potassium alternatives
Limit to a maximum of 3 x 80g portions per day e.g. apple, blueberries, orange, pear, canned fruit. Vegetables Vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, parsnips, beetroot (fresh), baked beans.
If hyperkalemia comes on suddenly and you have very high levels of potassium, you may feel heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, or vomiting. Sudden or severe hyperkalemia is a life-threatening condition. It requires immediate medical care.
Low potassium (best choice)
Cereals that are free from bran, dried fruit, nuts and chocolates such as: Weetabix® Shredded wheat®
How much potassium is in an egg? One large egg contains about 63 mg of potassium. 1 Eggs are considered a low-potassium food, but check with your doctor or dietitian to find out how often you should eat them.
Greek yogurt is high in phosphorus and potassium, which some people with kidney disease need to limit in their diet. However, it is also a good source of protein, which people on dialysis need.
Broccoli is high in many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium.
Butter, margarine and oils are the only foods that are potassium-free.
Tomatoes are high in potassium, but pasta is served with many sauces that are not tomato-based. If you must select a dish with tomato sauce, ask that it be served on the side. Be cautious – Soul food is often high in potassium. Avoid black-eyed peas, dried beans, cooked greens, spinach, yams, and sweet potato pie.
Carrots contain a moderate amount of potassium and can healthfully be included in a kidney-friendly diet.
Feta is also high in phosphorus, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc and potassium.
While many kinds of cheese are high in phosphorus and sodium, there are lower phosphorus and sodium cheeses more suitable for people with kidney disease. Most cheeses are also high in saturated fat; but lower-fat versions of many cheeses are available.
Yogurt for Potassium
A 6-ounce serving of plain, low-fat yogurt gives you 398 milligrams of potassium, or 11 percent of the daily value, while 7 ounces of low-fat Greek yogurt supplies 8 percent. Sticking with low-fat yogurt supports heart health, too, by reducing the amount of saturated fat in your daily meals.