Yes, corn contains potassium, but it's generally considered a moderate source, often listed among lower-potassium vegetables suitable for kidney diets, with amounts varying by preparation (fresh cob has more than canned/frozen), providing around 100-400 mg per serving depending on size and type, making it a good choice for boosting potassium intake moderately.
Some types of corn that are processed or prepared with other ingredients, such as cornmeal, cornbread and corn chips, are higher in phosphorus than other forms of corn, such as popcorn. Corn is considered to be acceptable in potassium because one serving contains less than 250 mg.
Lower potassium green vegetables, including Brussels sprouts, asparagus, green beans, okra, cabbage, broccoli and raw spinach, are all nutritious and low potassium alternatives. Depending on the time of year, purchasing these vegetables in season may mean tastier veggies as well as a lower price.
Important differences between corn and potatoes
Corn has more vitamin B5 and vitamin A; however, potatoes have more vitamin B6, potassium, iron, and copper.
Yes, potassium can cause nausea, either from high levels in the blood (hyperkalemia), which affects nerves and muscles, or as a side effect from potassium supplements, causing general stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting, especially with sudden or severe increases. While mild high potassium often has no symptoms, severe or sudden cases need immediate medical attention, as does persistent nausea from supplements, notes the National Kidney Foundation and WebMD.
Difficulty breathing. Extreme muscle weakness. Severe abdominal pain. Heart attack symptoms, including chest pain or a weak pulse.
Some low-potassium options include:
Whole grains with lower potassium and phosphorus content: Barley. Buckwheat (kasha) Bulgur.
If boiled at least 10 minutes in a large pot of water, potassium is reduced by at least half the original amount.
A cup of cucumber slices contains just 76 milligrams of potassium, or about 2% of the daily value, per the USDA National Nutrient Database. The veggie tastes great in a cucumber salad, in chilled cucumber soup or paired with a yogurt veggie dip. This fruit is a winner in the low-potassium category.
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.
As you can see from the chart below, all the salad greens listed are less than 200 mg potassium for a 1 cup portion. Mix and match the ones you like best. The goal is to stay below 200 mg potassium for one salad. If you want a larger portion, select the lowest potassium greens, arugula and green or red leaf lettuce.
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.
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.
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).
There are not a lot of low potassium meat options in chicken, turkey, and other common meats. The lowest in this category is chicken wings, which is 206 milligrams per 100-gram serving (about 3.5 ounces).
Choose starches and vegetables that are lower in potassium (such as rice, noodles and green beans). Avoid french fries and other fried potatoes.
Potassium and phosphorus content varies with the fish variety–catfish, cod, orange roughy, sea bass and sole are among the lowest. Salmon contains higher amounts of potassium and phosphorus but can still be worked into a kidney diet by combining it with lower potassium sides and adjusting phosphorus binders if needed.
Whether you put fruit in your cereal or eat it whole, go for low-potassium picks like apples, blueberries, cranberries, grapes, peaches, pears, pineapple, and raspberries. Avoid bananas, melons, oranges, and kiwi.
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.
There's still plenty you can put on a salad. Load up on low-potassium veggies, such as lettuce, cabbage, beets, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, onions, green peas, sprouts, and sweet peppers. Ask for dressing on the side, but steer clear of mayonnaise-based ones like Caesar, ranch and Thousand Island.