University Teaching Trust Controlling your Potassium Intake: Step 1 Ladywell Building Dietetic Department 0161 206 1994 All Rights Reserved 2018. Document for issue as handout. Unique Identifier: CS 46 (18) Review date: August 2020.
What is potassium? l Potassium is a mineral found in many foods and drinks l The level of potassium in your blood is usually controlled by the kidneys. When your kidneys are not working properly the potassium level in your blood may rise l Too much potassium can be dangerous as it affects the rhythm of your heart and can cause a heart attack if levels are very high l To keep your potassium levels down it is important that you follow the advice in this leaflet. Cooking Methods For potatoes and vegetables it is important that they are cooked in the following way: l Boil in a large amount of water l DO NOT steam, microwave or use a pressure cooker to cook foods l Throw the cooking water away, do not use to make gravy or in sauces. Starchy foods Dairy products Meat and fish Lower potassium Bread: white and wholemeal Chapatti Noodles Pasta Cereals e.g Weetabix and Cornflakes Rice Flour/cornflour Naan Eggs Cheese AVOID OR USE PORTION SIZE IF STATED Potato, sweet potato, cassava, or yam should be boiled (150g/day) Once boiled can be mashed, roasted, chipped or sautéed Chips (unless par-boiled) Jacket potatoes Frozen roast potatoes/chips Potato waffles Breads and cereals containing fruit/ nuts/seeds/chocolate No more than ½ pint milk daily No more than 3-4 milky puddings or yoghurts weekly Please speak to your dietitian about the appropriate portion sizes of these foods to include in your diet. Lentils and beans can be included as the protein source in meals instead of meat or fish. 1 2
Lower potassium Up to 4 portions/day TRY TO AVOID Lower potassium AVOID OR USE PORTION SIZE IF STATED Vegetables 1 portion = 2 heaped tablespoons of boiled vegetables Fruit 1 portion = 1 small handful or 80g of fruit Aubergine, beansprouts, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, green beans, peppers, leeks, mangetout, marrow, mixed vegetables (frozen), mushrooms (canned), onion, peas, runner beans, swede, sweetcorn, turnip. Apples, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, cranberries, fresh figs, grapes, grapefruit*, nectarines,oranges (small), peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, tangerines/satsumas, tinned fruit (without the juice). *Please consult your doctor or pharmacist before eating grapefruit as this can interact with some medications. Artichoke, baked beans, beetroot (raw/boiled), brussel sprouts, butternut squash, celeriac, mushrooms, okra, parsnips, spinach. Tomatoes - are high in potassium, however a few slices in a sandwich or on a salad is fine. Tomato based dishes should be served with rice, pasta or a lower potassium accompaniment and no potato based dish taken on that day. Kiwi, avocado, banana, rhubarb, dried fruit (e.g. raisins, figs, dates and prunes), blackcurrants, melon, pineapple, mango. Star fruit is toxic to renal patients and therefore should be avoided. Beverages (sugar free if diabetic) Condiments /Seasoning Snacks Most fruit squashes/ cordials Fizzy drinks Liqueurs/spirits Tea Fresh herbs Garlic Pepper Vinegar Mayonnaise Mustard Salad cream Pickles/chutney if used in small amounts Boiled and jelly sweets Chewing gum Marshmallows Mints All fruit juices/vegetable juices High juice drinks Coffee 1 cup/day Beer/wine Hot chocolate/malted milk drinks Bovril Tomato sauce Brown sauce DO NOT use LO SALT or other salt substitutes as these are high in potassium. Potato crisps Nuts Bombay mix Chocolate/toffee/fudge Twiglets Dried fruit Liquorice DO NOT exceed 4 portions in total of lower potassium fruit and vegetables. 3 4
Notes Name: Dietitian: 0161 206 1994 renaldietitians@srft.nhs.uk 5 6
G18052503. Design Services Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust All Rights Reserved 2018 This document MUST NOT be photocopied Information Leaflet Control Policy: Unique Identifier: CS 46 (18) Review Date: August 2020 University Teaching Trust For further information on this leaflet, it s references and sources used, please contact 0161 206 1994. Copies of this leaflet are available in other formats (for example, large print or easyread) upon request. Alternative formats may also be available via www. srft.nhs.uk/for-patients/patient-leaflets/ If you need this information leaflet translated, please telephone: In accordance with the Equality Act we will make reasonable adjustments to enable individuals with disabilities to access this service. Please contact the service/clinic you are attending by phone or email prior to your appointment to discuss your requirements. Interpreters are available for both verbal and non-verbal (e.g. British Sign Language) languages, on request. Please contact the service/clinic you are visiting to request this. or Email: InterpretationandTrans@srft.nhs.uk Salford Royal operates a smoke-free policy. For advice on stopping smoking contact the Hospital Specialist Stop Smoking Service on 0161 206 1779 This is a teaching hospital which plays an important role in the training of future doctors. The part patients play in this process is essential to make sure that we produce the right quality doctors for all of our futures. If at any time you would prefer not to have students present please inform the doctor or nurses and this will not affect your care in anyway. Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust Stott Lane, Salford, Manchester, M6 8HD Telephone 0161 789 7373 www.srft.nhs.uk If you would like to become a Foundation Trust Member please visit: www.srft.nhs.uk/ for-members If you have any suggestions as to how this document could be improved in the future then please visit: http://www.srft.nhs.uk/ for-patients