Pork is one of the most popular meats globally and is a critically important source of protein in many countries. In the U.S., only beef and chicken are more popular than pork.
Pork is delicious and highly nutritious, but many people nowadays follow a diet to limit their intake of certain nutrients; for example, kidney disease sufferers may follow a diet low in potassium.
Many foods are high in potassium, and it's essential to get at least some from your diet. For those on a low-potassium diet, it's vital to know the potassium content of common foods so they can plan their meals and regulate their intake.
So, can those with a sensitivity to potassium enjoy pork on their plate?
Table of Contents
- Is Pork Meat High or Low in Potassium?
- How Much Potassium Is in Pork Meat?
- Which Has More Potassium, Pork or Beef?
- Which Has More Potassium, Pork or Chicken?
- Which Has More Potassium Pork or Turkey?
- Can You Get Too Much Potassium from Pork Meat?
- Can You Eat Pork Meat on a Low-potassium Diet?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- Nutrition Facts: 3.5 oz (100 g) Broiled Whole Pork Loin
- Nutrition Facts: 3.5 oz (100 g) Boneless Extra Lean Ham, 5% fat, roasted
- Nutrition Facts: 3.5 oz (100 g) Ground Pork, 72% lean / 28% fat, pan-broiled
Is Pork Meat High or Low in Potassium?
Pork is generally high in potassium; however, this varies with the cut. For example, pork loin contains around 423 mg per 3.5 oz (100 g) serving, while the same-sized serving of pork belly contains just 185 mg; 423 mg is nearly 10% of the recommended daily potassium intake, but 185 mg is less than 4%.
Can You Check Your Potassium Level at Home?
How Much Potassium Is in Pork Meat?
The potassium content of pork also varies with the cooking method, not just with the cut.
Below, I've listed some of the more popular pork cuts and products.
Potassium content per 3.5 oz (100 g):
- Pork belly, raw: 185 mg
- Pork chops: 315 mg
- Pork shoulder: 332 mg
- Tenderloin: 421 mg
- Liver sausage: 170 mg
- Cooked ground pork: 362 mg
- Pork Bologna: 281 mg
- Frankfurter: 264 mg
- Polish sausage: 237 mg
- Italian salami: 340 mg
- Pulled pork in barbecue sauce: 305 mg
- Sliced ham, deli meat: 425 mg
- Oscar Meier Wieners: 131 mg
>> Are Dates High in Potassium?
Which Has More Potassium, Pork or Beef?
The potassium contents of pork and beef are similar, with some cuts of beef containing slightly more. For example, pork chops have around 315 mg per 100 grams, while round beef steak has 363 mg.
Which Has More Potassium, Pork or Chicken?
Pork usually contains more potassium than chicken, but this can vary with the cut and whether either is processed. For example, 100 grams of pork shoulder contains 332 mg, while chicken steak has 256 mg.
Which Has More Potassium Pork or Turkey?
Pork has more potassium than turkey, but as with chicken, this can vary. For example, 100 grams of roasted pork shoulder (Boston butt) has 332 mg, and roasted turkey breast has 288 mg.
Can You Get Too Much Potassium from Pork Meat?
As a 3.5 oz serving contains nearly 10% of the recommended daily potassium intake, people on a low-potassium diet should limit their pork consumption or choose cuts that have less potassium.
It's unlikely that you could get too much potassium purely by eating pork, but keep a close eye on your overall intake.
Can You Eat Pork Meat on a Low-potassium Diet?
Those on a low-potassium diet should choose cuts with the lowest potassium content, such as pork belly, and keep their servings small.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pork chops are high in potassium, with 3.5 oz (100 g) containing 315 mg, almost 7% of the recommended daily intake.
Ham is high in potassium, with 3.5 oz (100 g) containing 348 mg, around 7.5% of the recommended daily intake.
Oscar Meyer Wieners are low in potassium, with 3.5 oz (100 g) containing 131 mg, around 2.7% of the recommended daily intake.
Tenderloin is high in potassium, with 3.5 oz (100 g) containing 421 mg, around 9% of the recommended daily intake.
Ground pork is high in potassium, with 3.5 oz (100 g) (72% lean, 28% fat) containing 275 mg, around 6% of the recommended potassium intake.
A higher meat-to-fat ratio would mean more potassium.
Pork shoulder, or Boston butt, is high in potassium, with 3.5 oz (100 g) containing 332 mg, 7% of the recommended daily intake.
Pulled pork is high in potassium, with 3.5 oz (100 g) in BBQ sauce containing 305 mg, around 6.4% of the recommended daily intake.
Conclusion
Generally, pork is high in potassium and is comparable to beef in that regard.
It's also higher in potassium than chicken and turkey.
Nutrition Facts: 3.5 oz (100 g) Broiled Whole Pork Loin
- Calories: 242
- Total Fat: 14 g 21%
- Saturated fat: 5 g 25%
- Cholesterol: 80 mg 26%
- Sodium: 62 mg 2%
- Potassium: 423 mg 12%
- Total Carbohydrate: 0 g 0%
- Dietary fiber: 0 g 0%
- Sugar: 0 g
- Protein: 27 g 54%
- Vitamin C: 1%
- Calcium: 1%
- Iron: 4%
- Vitamin D: 13%
- Vitamin B6: 25%
- Vitamin B12: 11%
- Magnesium: 7%
Nutrition Facts: 3.5 oz (100 g) Boneless Extra Lean Ham, 5% fat, roasted
- Calories: 145
- Total Fat: 6 g 9%
- Saturated fat: 1.8 g 9%
- Cholesterol: 53 mg 17%
- Sodium: 1,203 mg 50%
- Potassium: 287 mg 8%
- Total Carbohydrate: 1.5 g 0%
- Dietary fiber: 0 g 0%
- Sugar: 0 g
- Protein: 21 g 42%
- Vitamin C: 0%
- Calcium: 0%
- Iron: 8%
- Vitamin D: 8%
- Vitamin B6: 20%
- Vitamin B12: 11%
- Magnesium: 3%
Nutrition Facts: 3.5 oz (100 g) Ground Pork, 72% lean / 28% fat, pan-broiled
- Calories: 377
- Total Fat: 31 g 47%
- Saturated fat: 11 g 55%
- Trans fat regulation: 0.2 g
- Cholesterol: 99 mg 33%
- Sodium: 91 mg 3%
- Potassium: 275 mg 7%
- Total Carbohydrate: 1.1 g 0%
- Dietary fiber: 0 g 0%
- Sugar: 0 g
- Protein: 23 g 46%
- Vitamin C: 0%
- Calcium: 2%
- Iron: 6%
- Vitamin D: 8%
- Vitamin B6: 20%
- Vitamin B12: 18%
- Magnesium: 4%
Don't know which foods are high in potassium? Read our article 15 Best Food Sources of Potassium. We also have a guide on this important mineral: Potassium 101: All You Need To Know About Potassium.
Article source: USDA