QuestionHi Sarah, my father is diabetic and two years ago had the pacemaker. He had his blood exam recently and found out that his potassium is very high 6.6 he is given 60 grams of kionex powder for a day and another 30 grams the next day and was told to had his blood drawn the next day to check if the potassium has gone low. I would like to know if there's a fruit or vegetable that has no potassium? My father eats white rice every meal how much can he consume every meal. Thank you.
AnswerHi Marlyn! Unfortunately no fruit or vegetable exists that contains absolutely no potassium. However, foods low in potassium are available. Such foods include: apples, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, cranberries, grapes, peaches, green beans, iceberg lettuce, zucchini, yellow squash, cooked carrots, and cauliflower. There are several lists available on the internet with both high and low potassium foods; I would recommend printing one out so your father knows what foods he should avoid, which to limit, and which are low enough to eat as much as he wants of. (The National Kidney Foundation has a good site at www.kidney.org; their site also has directions on how to remove potassium from vegetables high in potassium so options are a little less limited.) White rice is already low in potassium. A half cup is considered a serving of grain; therefore, how much your dad can have would depend on how much grain he eats at other meals (the recommendations for the average adult are 6-8 grain servings daily). Whole grains and cereals also tend to be high in potassium; if potassium is continually checked, he may continue to eat them but I wouldn't recommend trying until his potassium is more under control. You didn't mention meat or dairy, but both are pretty high in potassium, especially processed meats (such as lunch meats). If his potassium continues to be high, he should limit his dairy to one serving per day (he may want to take calcium supplements but will want to check with his doctor first) and limit meat to 5 ounces or less per day.
I wish you all the best of luck. Hopefully the dietary changes will prevent the need for continuous medication.
- Prev:Need balanced Nutritional Weight Gain Diet....
- Next:About Tea?