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Potassium and CKD: Levels & Limits

If potassium is part of your care plan, this is the practical reference: 18 foods rated for CKD stage 3-4, a short list of higher-risk items, and a few data-backed tips. Individual needs still depend on your stage and labs.

Lower-risk options (18)

Kidney-friendlyPectin, liquidK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyOil, corn, peanut, and oliveK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlySweeteners, tabletop, fructose, liquidK 0 · P 0 · Na 2 mgKidney-friendlyGums, seed gumsK 0 · P 0 · Na 125 mgKidney-friendlyCandies, gum drops, no sugar or low calorieK 0 · P 0 · Na 7 mgKidney-friendlySyrups, corn, high-fructoseK 0 · P 0 · Na 2 mgKidney-friendlyOil, corn and canolaK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlySyrups, sugar freeK 0 · P 0 · Na 210 mgKidney-friendlyCandies, hard, dietetic or low calorieK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyChewing gum, sugarlessK 0 · P 0 · Na 7 mgKidney-friendlySweeteners, tabletop, fructose, dry, powderK 0 · P 0 · Na 12 mgKidney-friendlySweetener, herbal extract powder from Stevia leafK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyShortening, household, soybean-cottonseedK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyOil, soybean, salad or cookingK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyOil, rice branK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyOil, wheat germK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyOil, palmK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mgKidney-friendlyOil, sesame, salad or cookingK 0 · P 0 · Na 0 mg

Treat with caution (12)

Higher riskLeavening agents, baking powder, low-sodiumK 10100 · P 6869 · Na 90 mgHigher riskLeavening agents, cream of tartarK 16500 · P 5 · Na 52 mgHigher riskParsley, freeze-driedK 6300 · P 548 · Na 391 mgHigher riskBeverages, tea, instant, unsweetened, powderK 6040 · P 239 · Na 72 mgHigher riskBeverages, tea, instant, decaffeinated, unsweetenedK 6040 · P 239 · Na 72 mgHigher riskSpices, chervil, driedK 4740 · P 450 · Na 83 mgHigher riskSpices, coriander leaf, driedK 4466 · P 481 · Na 211 mgHigher riskBeverages, Cocoa mix, low calorie, powder, with added calcium, phosphorus, aspartame, without added sodium or vitamin AK 2702 · P 1630 · Na 653 mgHigher riskSpices, dill weed, driedK 3308 · P 543 · Na 208 mgHigher riskBeverages, coffee, instant, regular, powderK 3535 · P 303 · Na 37 mgHigher riskBeverages, coffee, instant, regular, half the caffeineK 3535 · P 303 · Na 37 mgHigher riskBeverages, coffee, instant, decaffeinated, powderK 3501 · P 286 · Na 23 mg

Practical tips

Portion size changes everything: the ratings are per 100 g, so half a serving halves the mineral load. Check the full food page before adding something new to the routine — it shows all three minerals plus purine and oxalate where available.

Browse all kidney-friendly foods →

Frequently asked questions

How much potassium can a CKD patient have per day?

For the rating basis used on this site, the daily limit is 2,000 mg of potassium at CKD stage 3-4. Individual targets depend on your labs and should be confirmed with your healthcare team.

What foods should I avoid on a potassium plan?

The caution list on this page shows the highest-load foods in the database. The top item on the caution list is Soy sauce, reduced sodium, made from hydrolyzed vegetable protein at 3098 mg of potassium per 100 g — 155% of the daily limit. Each food page shows the exact percentage of the daily limit for all three minerals.

Are these recommendations right for everyone on a potassium plan?

No list can replace individual advice. This page covers 18 lower-risk foods and 12 caution items, rated per 100 g against the 2,000 mg potassium limit — your stage, blood results and medications all matter, so treat this as data, not a prescription.