Potato

Potassium: HigherPhosphorus: LowerSodium: Lower

The bottom line

The classic higher-potassium staple — how you prepare it matters almost as much as how much you eat.

A healthier swap

Rice, pasta or corn-based dishes fill the same spot on the plate with much less potassium. Or leach potatoes: peel, slice thin, soak at least two hours, boil in plenty of fresh water.

Understand the nutrients

Potassium

Frequently asked questions

Does leaching really work?

It removes some — never all — of the potassium, per National Kidney Foundation guidance. Sliced thin, soaked in ten times their volume of warm water, then boiled in fresh water, potatoes become a sometimes-food rather than a never-food for many people. Ask your dietitian if it fits your plan.

These pages are general education about eating with kidney disease, dialysis or a kidney transplant. They are not medical advice and do not replace your own care plan. Kidney diets are individual: what is right for you depends on your stage, your blood tests, your medicines and your other conditions. Always talk to your care team or renal dietitian before changing what you eat, and never stop or change a medicine because of something you read here.