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Menu for a Low Potassium Diet

Rimlee Bhuyan
If you have been diagnosed with hyperkalemia, which is a condition caused by high levels of potassium in the bloodstream, then you need to follow a low potassium diet, which is what is discussed here.
Potassium is an essential mineral that is required by the body for its proper functioning. Since it is abundant in many foods, incidents of its deficiency is uncommon. However due to some diseases, the body might have excess levels of this mineral in the bloodstream than normal.
This is mainly due to the underlying illness related to the functioning of the kidneys. High levels in bloodstream can lead to irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, and even paralysis. If you are diagnosed with higher than normal levels, then you need to follow a low potassium diet plan. Before you embark on such a diet, you need to consult your physician.

Menu
Since most food contains some amount of potassium, the key to eating a low potassium diet is to choose foods that have low levels of this nutrient.
Another method is to reduce its levels in vegetables by first soaking them in a bowl of water after cutting them into thin slices. This method is known as leaching, and it is a highly successful method for certain vegetables, like beets and carrots.

Breakfast

You can have white bread toast with honey, English muffins, porridge, bagels, pancakes, and croissants. Things to avoid are bacon, sausages, cured meats, whole grain products, full-fat dairy products, butter and juices made with fruits and vegetables, like oranges, grapefruit, and tomatoes.

Lunch

You can choose from salads made from vegetables, like lettuce, cucumber, cauliflower, alfalfa sprouts, cucumbers, celery, and radishes. Avoid foods, like marinated mushrooms, gherkins, pickles, tomatoes, olives, chickpeas, groundnut, and spinach.
You also need to avoid eating any form of potato salads or salads made with kidney beans, pinto beans, and black-eyed beans. Beans and potatoes contain a high amount of this nutrient, and need to be avoided at any cost. Also, switch to low-sodium salad dressing or simple oil and lemon vinaigrette instead of store-bought salad dressing.
For the main course, you can have grilled pork chops, baked chicken breast (fat removed), and grilled fish. The method of cooking employed while preparing protein dishes is also very important. Avoid fried meat, fish, and poultry, particularly those dishes that are deep-fried or batter-fried.
Meat that is made with potato-based gravy or baked with plenty of cheese and potatoes should be strictly avoided. Other protein components to be avoided are salted and cured fish and meat.

Dinner

The dinner menu is same as that of lunch. You can add side dishes to your dinner menu, but you need to watch the kind of vegetables you choose to make side dishes.
Vegetables, like carrots, cauliflower, green beans, eggplant, asparagus, okra, and green beans can be used. A side dish of steamed or sautéed green beans or asparagus is an ideal side dish. You need to avoid dishes with baked beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and sauerkraut.
For desserts, you can have sorbets, ginger cookie, plain cakes without any added nuts or preserved fruits, and fruit pies that are not made with fruit fillings, like strawberry, raspberry, and peaches.
Cheesecakes, ice creams, and puddings, as well as desserts made with fruits, like orange, banana, grapefruit, and rhubarb are to be strictly avoided.
All these food restrictions might seem very challenging to incorporate in a diet. But if you think creatively, you can come up with a healthy as well as a delicious eating plan. As with any other kind of diet, do exercise portion control and avoid fizzy drinks.
Disclaimer: Information here should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.