Reducing Potassium While Losing Weight

jennaquinas
jennaquinas Posts: 3 Member
in Introduce Yourself
I have a type of congenital kidney disease and because of this I retain too much potassium. My doctors put me on a low potassium diet. The problem is, everything high in potassium is everything yummy, healthy, and great for losing weight (melon, greens, beans, etc) and everything low in potassium is also low in all nutrients and is basically junk (coffee, bread, pasta, and randomly rhubarb). Another problem I've been having (before you just link me to pages of lists of high and low potassium foods) is that lists online and from my doctor seem to contradict either other and often don't take into consideration portion size. My doctor gave me a list that said Low potassium foods: 1 baby carrot. Higher potassium foods: 1 cup boiled carrots.... boiling actually reduces the potassium (and vitamins) but the portion sizes are totally different and therefore give no insight into the relative potassium level of carrots. Does anyone have any advice about how I can eat healthy food, lose weight, and keep the potassium down?

Replies

  • Momjogger
    Momjogger Posts: 750 Member
    My grandmother was on dialysis and could not eat bananas and white potatoes. She ate cauliflower instead (mashed like potatoes - supposed to be delicious). Also you can make cauliflower crust for pizza (look up online for recipe). Are radishes and lettuce low in potassium? Maybe you can add a salad to most meals. I think if your list from your doctor is not user friendly, you should go back and ask for a consult from a specialist and a dietican. I wish you the best of luck!
  • Momjogger
    Momjogger Posts: 750 Member
    I think it all comes down to portion sizes (eating small portions to limit potassium) and staying under a certain amount of daily potassium. The sites I found also talked about one baby carrot. Why? That's a little random and ridiculous, unless you add one cut up carrot to an iceberg salad. Oh boy. Looks like you have your work cut out for you. Sorry.
  • effcla
    effcla Posts: 33 Member
    Hi Jenna,

    I also have kidney issues and when mine started declining, I had to completely forget trying to lose weight. I have since had a transplant so no longer have to watch my potassium intake but I felt so bad, I was enough for me to try to get through the day. If I remember correctly, I think apples were low in potassium and of course, anything that didn't have much nutritional value like iceberg lettuce. Good luck with your kidneys.
  • jennaquinas
    jennaquinas Posts: 3 Member
    Haha, right?! the carrots are insane. Thanks for the tips!
  • jennaquinas
    jennaquinas Posts: 3 Member
    Apples, thanks for the tip. Yeah, it seems like I am supposed to just fill my belly with lettuce. Oh, brother! I can't give up losing because my doctor is also recommending I drop 40lbs. I think exercise is helping. I'm glad you are doing better :)

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