Potassium is crucial for various bodily functions and processes. But some people may suffer from potassium sensitivity. This can happen if you have any form of kidney disease but can also be caused by other conditions.
If you’re diagnosed with this condition, you have to control how much potassium you take in from all the foods you consume, and that includes snacks.
So, this means you should be aware of which snacks are low in potassium, thus safe for your diet.
While most foods contain potassium, there are some low-potassium snacks like potato chips, popcorn, or rice cakes, that can help you reach your dietary goals while still allowing you to enjoy all the foods you love. Some of them also contain essential nutrients and minerals that may help you stay healthy and prevent various health conditions.
Table of Contents
What does potassium do in your body?
Potassium is an essential mineral that contributes to good health. It’s found in almost all foods, especially fresh veggies and fruits. It’s responsible for regulating fluid in your body, muscle contractions, and nerve signals.
Because of that, it works as an electrolyte that prevents high blood pressure and water retention, which is helpful for maintaining healthy kidneys.
A diet high in potassium-rich foods may also protect you against stroke and prevent osteoporosis and kidney stones. This is because potassium works very closely with sodium to keep your body adequately hydrated.
What’s more, this mineral helps protect your heart from damage and lowers your risk of heart attack and stroke, which are two leading causes of death around the world.
But even though potassium plays such an important role in your body, some people may need to take in less than the standard recommended amount (around 4700mg for a healthy adult).
If you suffer from potassium sensitivity or kidney problems, it’s very important to stick to the amount of potassium you can have. If you don’t, you can develop unpleasant symptoms, including painful and frequent urinating as well as stomach issues.
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.
It’s also important to remember that following a low-potassium diet doesn’t mean you should completely avoid foods containing potassium. It’s still one of the most important minerals in your diet, which contributes to various bodily functions.
Because of that, it can’t be removed from your diet altogether, which is something people tend to forget when first starting a low-potassium diet.
READ ALSO: The Best High Potassium Snacks
What are some sweet low potassium snacks?
While it might seem that most snacks are high in potassium, there are actually many foods you can snack on without causing any unpleasant symptoms. Some of the best sweet low-potassium snacks to try include:
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Grapefruit
- Peaches
- Angel or yellow cake
- Plain cookies
- Chocolate-free cake
These snacks contain low amounts of potassium, which makes them safe for people with potassium sensitivity and kidney issues. If you choose to snack on healthy foods, such as fruits and veggies, you can also reap some wonderful health benefits from the vitamins and minerals that they contain.
What’s more, while most fruits might seem high in potassium, you should still include them in your diet, even if in small amounts.
If you want to have something sweet that may not be as healthy and rich in nutrients, plain cookies or chocolate-free cakes are your best choice. It’s important not to consume chocolate when following a low-potassium diet as most chocolate types are high in this mineral.
Even when eating snacks that are low in potassium, it’s important not to overdo it since you can still take in too much of this nutrient if you’re not careful.
What are some salty low-potassium snacks?
Contrary to what you might think, most salty snacks are low in potassium. While they’re not particularly healthy, they don’t contain a lot of potassium, so they shouldn’t cause any adverse symptoms for people with potassium sensitivity. Some salty low-potassium snacks include:
- Pasta
- Noodles
- Bread
- Radishes
- Potato chips
- Popcorn
- Rice cakes
Some of these snacks contain a good amount of other nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, that help contribute to your overall health. It’s also important to consume a varied diet, which includes your favorite foods. That way, you will be less likely to overindulge in bad foods, keeping your diet as healthy and clean as possible.
Savory and salty snacks are also better than sweets as they don’t make you crave more food. Overeating can lead to various other health complications on top of your potassium sensitivity, so it’s important to consume only as many calories as you should.
Another thing you should keep in mind when snacking is to consume enough water. This helps your kidneys stay healthy and remove excess potassium from your digestive system.
Can eating low potassium snacks lead to a potassium deficiency?
If you’re just snacking on low-potassium foods, you’re very unlikely to develop a potassium deficiency. Looking for low-potassium snacks is best for people who follow a low-potassium diet.
Everyone else should be perfectly fine eating a mix of low- and high-potassium foods as long as they follow a healthy, balanced diet. What’s more, if you eat moderately healthy, you should still take in enough potassium to keep your body healthy and avoid any complications.
While very unlikely, potassium deficiency can happen, but it’s nearly impossible to develop from consuming low-potassium snacks.
Potassium levels tend to drop after a hard workout or antibiotic treatment, but they usually normalize when your body’s electrolyte levels balance out again. Such a temporary decrease shouldn’t cause any symptoms.
However, if you start noticing some severe symptoms, such as muscle weakness or irregular heartbeat, you should contact your doctor to address these symptoms as soon as possible.
Low-potassium snacks are a good idea to still enjoy your favorite foods while still following the requirements of your diet.
Snacking is also a good idea since it helps you incorporate some delicious foods into a diet that’s already limited, thus keeping you on track. After all, remember that everything’s safe as long as it’s in moderation.
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.