Not exactly a newbie

[old dave]

Hi there,
As the title says I'm not really a newbie having been here for more years than I like to remember but due to a computer explosion I have to start again.
I'm 73 years young and have been T2 diabetic for many years. Recently my health has started to deteriorate as it does and now I find myself with CKD (stage 4 but whose counting) and several other bits that seem to be falling off (not literally).

I try to carb count but I'm not that good at it but it seems to get me by however my kidney specialist now tells me to cut my potassium and he seems rather concerned with it. My problem is that having developed what I consider a reasonable diet I now look at all the veggies I eat and they are all high in pottasium. What I need is a realistic diet so that I can survive going without mince pies but still get by.
Anybody got any ideas?

 

[Toucan]

Hello @old dave welcome to the forum
(73 is certainly not old by my standards!)
I can understand that it is a difficult problem to reconcile low potassium with a low-carb diet. I think there may be others on the forum that have more knowledge regarding this. My friend @everydayupsanddowns may know who they are and be able to help some more.
I have just googled for low potassium veggies and it comes back with quite a long list, but you probably already know what the lower ones are. I guess choosing some of these might just help keep the total potassium tally down.

Best wishes and hopefully someone with more knowledge on this will be along soon.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome (back!) to the forum @old dave

I’ve had a few ‘steady on there’ flags for potassium over the years, but never been told to pay much attention as my level just seems to rise and fall around the upper edges of the reference range. Seems like it’s a bit more important in your case.

I was told to avoid bananas (which I never eat anyway) and I notice that mushrooms are also on the ‘high’ list, which we have eaten a lot of since my youngest went vegan.

Are there particular staples that you’ve identified as high potassium that you are looking for swaps?

On this basic ‘quick Google’ list

• Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew, apricots, grapefruit (some dried fruits, such as prunes, raisins, and dates, are also high in potassium)
• Cooked spinach
• Cooked broccoli
• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Mushrooms
• Peas
• Cucumbers
• Courgette
• Aubergine
• Pumpkin
• Leafy greens

I can see that the green and leafy veggies would be hard to lose on a low carb diet.

 

[old dave]

Thanks for getting back
At my last outpatients visit the doctor told me to watch out for potassium in my food. As this was just before Christmas the subject quickly swung onto Christmas dinner etc. He stated absolutely no mince pies or roast potatoes, I said what not even one and his reply was where do you want to eat Christmas dinner - at home or in hospital. That kinda got my attention. Since then I've been looking at veggies as I quite often make a beef and veggie stew in the slow cooker that I can eat over three or four days. Think of a veggie that you would put in such a dish and scare yourself when you read its potassium content - thats my problem. I need advice on a diet that is edible but not lethal. All advice or comments are very gladly welcome.

 

[Ditto]

Good grief Mum has bananas and prunes every day and I have mushrooms every day. Do we have to cut down then? My Mum was once told not to eat Broccoli, I think it has a lot of iron in it. It's a minefield.

 

[Docb]

Hi old dave. Just googled a bit and found that there are ways of leaching potassium (and probably a lot of other stuff as well) out of veg. Its a bit of a faff but if you are that way inclined it might give you something to do whilst at home. Veg would have to be done separately but could be added to your slow cooked stew at the end.

This is one site,

How to Leach Potassium out of Vegetables - Renal Diet HQ

Unlock the secret to healthier eating! Discover how leaching vegetables can enhance nutrition and flavor in your daily meals.

www.renaldiethq.com

 

[SB2015]

Welcome (back) to the forum @old dave

I have had slightly high potassium in each test but it is very near the border so was told not to worry.
However you pre Christmas warning sounds a lot more serious. I hope that the various suggestions you have had are helpful in tackling this (ps did you really not even have one small toastier on the day!! If so that is amazing will power)