Hyperkalemia is a condition when the potassium levels in the blood are higher than normal. Adults are usually recommended between 2,600 and 3,400 mg of potassium intake daily. If your potassium levels are higher than required, you will be recommended to follow a potassium-restricted meal plan that allows about 2,000 mg of the mineral every day. Given below is more on hyperkalemia and how to manage it via food.

Why are higher potassium levels harmful to the body?

Higher potassium levels can affect the heart, obstructing its normal functioning and increasing the risk of a heart attack. Higher levels of the mineral can also affect your digestive system, and kidneys, causing tingling and numbness. Avoiding high-potassium food is one of the ways to manage hyperkalemia. Accordingly, here’s a list of foods to avoid among various categories.

Fruits

Fruits that are naturally high in potassium should be avoided at all costs. These include avocados, dates, bananas, apricots, mangoes, oranges, cantaloupes, figs, kiwis, papayas, prunes, raisins, honeydew, and pomegranates.

It does not mean that you need to completely eliminate these nutritious fruits from your diet. You simply need to cut down on your consumption. Also, you should avoid not just the fresh fruits mentioned here but the dried forms of these fruits. Steer clear of the juices too. For example, minimize the quantity of grapefruit juice, orange juice, pomegranate juice, and prune juice.

Vegetables

Besides avoiding the fruits and juices mentioned above, it is also imperative to avoid certain vegetables that are naturally high in potassium. These vegetables are white and sweet potatoes, tomatoes, beetroot, black beans, baked beans, refried beans, and dried beans, bamboo shoot, sprouts, raw carrots, lentils, legumes, most green veggies except kale, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, artichoke, acorn, squash, okra, spinach, pumpkin, and white mushrooms.

Just like in fruits, people with hyperkalemia should avoid the juices made from these vegetables. Cutting down completely on these vegetables is not necessary as you still need to maintain a potassium intake of 2,00 mg daily. Make sure that minimal amounts of these veggies are consumed till your condition is better.

Other types of food

Besides veggies and fruits, people detected with higher levels of potassium should also stay away from certain other kinds of foods. These are:

Chocolates
Despite how much you love chocolates, ditch them for a while till the potassium levels in your bloodstream are normal again. Chocolates contain high amounts of potassium and phosphorus. The ones with nuts are even deadlier as nuts also contain high amounts of the same minerals.

Nuts and seeds
Most nuts and seeds contain higher amounts of potassium. But you must avoid pistachios that have the highest amounts – 1 ounce of this nut contains about 291 mg of potassium. Also, avoid almonds, cashew nuts, peanuts, walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts.

Yogurt
Yogurt is usually recommended due to its nutrient value but since it contains a high amount of potassium, you should avoid it in your diet.

Dairy products
Milk products contain the highest amount of protein and also potassium. For example, one cup of skimmed milk contains as much as 382 mg of potassium.

Salt substitutes
If you have hyperkalemia, beware of substituting salts with items containing reduced sodium. Such substitute products are known to be full of potassium.

Oats
Grains like oats are a rich source of potassium. One serving of oatmeal offers about 130 mg of potassium. Therefore, steer clear of oats and other whole grains that can result in the build-up of potassium in the blood.

Granola
Dry cereal food items like granola should also be on your list of food to avoid. This on-the-go snack item is high in potassium and fats. Other cereals that should be avoided include bran cereals, which also lead to excess build-up of potassium in the bloodstream.

Conclusion

Unmanaged increased potassium levels can have fatal results. Keep in mind that besides your regular treatment, tweaking your food intake can make a significant difference to your health.