Children’s & Women's Physicians of Westchester, LLP

Pediatric Nephrology

PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY Specialzing in kidney disease of infants, children & adolescents. Appointment Location 19 Bradhurst Avenue Hawthorne, NY 10532 Phone: .914-493-7583 Fax:...... 914-594-4011 Directions

Keeping Your Potassium Under Control

Potassium (often seen in writing as K+) is an "electrolyte" that helps keep your heartbeat regular and your muscles working properly. It is filtered by the kidneys and excreted in your urine. It is the job of your kidneys to keep the right amount of potassium in your body. Some kidney diseases may cause the body to have either too much or too little potassium. Some medications may also increase or lower the potassium. If this is or becomes a problem for you, it is your job to avoid potential complications by watching your potassium intake and avoiding high potassium foods.

Here is a list of foods to avoid that are HIGH in potassium:

Fruits	Vegetables	Other
Avocado Banana Coconut Dried Fruits: (apricot, date, fig, prune, raisin) Kiwi Melon: (cantaloupe, honeydew) Nectarine Orange and Orange Juice Prune juice Rhubarb Tangelo Watermelon . . . .	Artichokes Bamboo Shoot Beans (dried) and peas Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts Greens: (collard, dandelion, mustard, swiss chard) Kale Lentils Legumes Lima beans Mushrooms Potato (regular, French fried, sweet) Pumpkin Tomato (raw or canned) Vegetable Juice Yam Winter squash: (acorn, butternut, hubbaard, spaghetti)	Bran and Bran products Chocolate Coffee (limit to 2 cups/day) Granola Ice Cream (limit to 1 cup/day) Milk Molasses Nuts and Seeds Salt Substitutes Snuff / chewing tobacco Tea (limit to 2 cups/day) . . . . . . .

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