Yes, a baked potato is very high in potassium, often containing more than 900mg in a single medium-sized potato with the skin on, making it an excellent source, even surpassing bananas and sweet potatoes in some comparisons. Eating the skin is beneficial as it holds a significant amount of potassium, and baking keeps more potassium in the potato compared to boiling where it leaches into the water.
Potassium in Potatoes
The humble potato often doesn't get as much nutrition attention as it deserves. One medium potato delivers 610 mg of potassium, or roughly 17% of the daily value (DV). That's about 40% more potassium than you'll find in a banana, which only contains 422 mg, or 9% DV.
Potatoes are very high in potassium. Avoid baked potatoes or potatoes cooked in a microwave because all of the potassium stays inside the potatoes. Avoid scalloped and instant mashed potatoes as well as French fries. Peeling, cutting and soaking potatoes in water overnight leaches out some of the potassium.
The best sources of potassium
One 4-3/4″ x 2-1/3″ diameter potato with skin contains 1080 mg potassium. That's over half the daily goal for a potassium restricted diet. People with chronic kidney disease or on dialysis who require a low potassium diet can still eat potatoes by using a technique to reduce potassium.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top culprits damaging kidneys most, as they harm the delicate filtering blood vessels, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and failure; other major factors include smoking, obesity, dehydration, poor diet (high sugar/salt/red meat), certain medications (NSAIDs), lack of sleep, and genetic conditions. These factors create a cycle where damaged kidneys worsen blood pressure, further damaging them.
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. All are high in potassium.
Potassium in cheese is typically low. One exception is when potassium chloride is added to some of the low-sodium cheese options, such as low-sodium cheddar or Colby cheese. Check the ingredient label for this one.
The most common cause of true high potassium, also called hyperkalemia, is linked to the kidneys. Causes might include: Acute kidney injury. Chronic kidney disease.
The potassium con- tent was highest in the purple Viking potato (448.1 6 60.5 mg [11.5 6 1.6 mEq]/100 g), and lowest in the Idaho potato (295 6 15.7 mg [7.6 6 0.4 mEq]/100 g). All raw potatoes had a mean potassium content of about 300 mg (7.7 mEq)/100 g or greater.
Avoid potato-based snacks such as potato crisps, tinned potatoes, instant mash and frozen potato products. These will all be high in potassium. If a fruit or vegetable has been tinned, then always drain the fluid it has been tinned in. If eating out, try to avoid potato-based dishes and chips.
Low-potassium fruits include:
These low-potassium foods include: Fruits such as apples and applesauce, pineapple, grapes, cherries, strawberries, watermelon, honeydew melon, blueberries, and raspberries. Cucumbers, asparagus, carrots, cauliflower, peas, squash, and zucchini. White or brown rice.
And one average-sized, whole, baked potato (2-1/3″x 4-3/4″ or about 1-1/3 cups, if measured) contains 926 milligrams of potassium with the skin or 610 milligrams of potassium without the skin. If you are on a low-potassium diet, this is a considerable amount for one serving.
The following medications may increase your potassium level:
One slice of white bread has 24 mg of phosphorus and 30 mg of potassium. A 2 tbsp serving of peanut butter has 118 mg of phosphorus and 214 mg of potassium. 1 tbsp serving of cream cheese has 15 mg of phosphorus and 17 mg of potassium.
You get potassium through the foods and drinks you consume. Normally, your kidneys remove extra potassium, which leaves your body through your urine (pee).
Canned foods, some frozen foods, and most processed meats contain large amounts of salt. Snack foods such as chips and crackers are also high in salt. Table salt, some seasonings, ketchup, mustard, and certain sauces such as barbecue, soy, and teriyaki sauces are high in sodium.
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Control of phosphorus often is difficult for kidney failure patients. High-phosphorus foods to eliminate include: Beans (red, black, and white)