Low potassium meal plan, still a full plate.
Potassium limits change what goes on the plate, not how much. Here is a week of lower potassium meals at about 1,650 calories a day, plus what to buy. Alma can fit it to your goal.
Built from NKF and NIDDK kidney advice.
The rules
Three habits do most of the work
Your limit comes from your care team
There is no single potassium number that fits everyone.
Leach potatoes before cooking
Soaking and boiling sliced potatoes pulls out some potassium.
Skip salt substitutes
Many use potassium chloride, which can raise your level a lot.
Sample week
Seven days of lower potassium meals
About 1,500 to 1,760 calories a day. Scale portions to your needs. Find your number
Only limit potassium if your care team gave you a limit, usually after a blood test. Too little potassium is risky too, so ask before you cut foods or change medicines.
Day 1Monday
BreakfastApple cinnamon oatmeal½ cup dry oats cooked in water, ½ cup 2% milk, 1 small apple, 1 tsp honey, cinnamon
LunchRoast turkey and cucumber sandwich2 slices white bread, 3 oz roasted turkey breast, 1 tbsp mayonnaise, lettuce, ½ cup cucumber, ½ cup grapes
SnackPineapple with graham crackers1 cup pineapple chunks, 2 graham crackers
DinnerRoast chicken with rice and green beans5 oz chicken breast, 1 cup cooked white rice, ½ cup green beans, ½ cup steamed cabbage, ½ cup cauliflower, 2 tsp olive oil
About 1,500 kcal89 g protein20 g fiber
Day 2Tuesday
- BreakfastEgg and Swiss on a roll2 eggs scrambled in 1 tsp olive oil, 1 white roll, 1 oz Swiss cheese
- LunchTuna salad on white bread1 can tuna in water, 1 tbsp mayonnaise, celery, lettuce, 2 slices white bread, ½ cup grapes, ½ cup green beans
- SnackRice cakes with cream cheese and apple3 rice cakes, 2 tbsp cream cheese, 1 small apple
- DinnerBaked cod with lemon rice5 oz cod, 1 cup cooked white rice, ½ cup zucchini, ½ cup bell pepper, 2 tsp olive oil, 1 white roll
About 1,710 kcal101 g protein14 g fiber
Day 3Wednesday
- BreakfastCream of wheat with blueberries1 cup cooked cream of wheat, ½ cup 2% milk, ½ cup blueberries, 2 tsp honey, 1 tsp butter
- LunchChicken pasta salad1 cup cooked pasta, 3 oz chicken breast, 1 tbsp olive oil, cucumber, lettuce, ½ cup green beans, lemon
- SnackGraham crackers and applesauce3 graham crackers, ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- DinnerPork loin with noodles and cabbage5 oz pork loin, 1 cup cooked egg noodles, ½ cup green beans, ½ cup cabbage, 2 tsp olive oil
About 1,640 kcal95 g protein18 g fiber
Day 4Thursday
- BreakfastTwo eggs with white toast2 eggs, 1 tsp butter, 2 slices white toast, ½ cup grapes
- LunchChicken and rice soup with a rollHomemade soup: 4 oz chicken, 1 cup cooked white rice, ½ cup green beans, 2 cups low sodium broth, plus 1 white roll
- SnackCottage cheese with pear½ cup 2% cottage cheese, 1 small pear
- DinnerGrilled shrimp with pasta5 oz shrimp, 1½ cups cooked pasta, ½ cup zucchini, 2 tsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Parmesan
About 1,670 kcal124 g protein16 g fiber
Day 5Friday
- BreakfastWaffle with berries and milk2 frozen waffles, 1 tbsp maple syrup, ½ cup strawberries, ½ cup 2% milk
- LunchChicken salad wrap1 flour tortilla, 3 oz chicken breast, 1 tbsp mayonnaise, lettuce, ½ cup cucumber, ½ cup grapes
- SnackPopcorn, apple and string cheese3 cups popped popcorn, 1 small apple, 1 oz string cheese
- DinnerChicken thighs with rice pilaf5 oz skinless chicken thigh, 1 cup cooked white rice, ½ cup green beans, ½ cup cauliflower, 2 tsp olive oil
About 1,610 kcal92 g protein18 g fiber
Day 6Saturday
- BreakfastScrambled eggs with peppers and toast2 eggs, ½ cup bell pepper, 1 tsp olive oil, 2 slices white toast, 1 tbsp strawberry jam
- LunchChicken and pasta with pesto3 oz chicken breast, 1½ cups cooked pasta, 1 tbsp pesto, ½ cup zucchini, ½ cup cauliflower
- SnackFruit bowl with cottage cheese½ cup pineapple, ½ cup blueberries, ½ cup grapes, ½ cup 2% cottage cheese
- DinnerRoast turkey with rice and squash5 oz roasted turkey breast, 1 cup cooked white rice, ½ cup summer squash, ½ cup green beans, 1 tbsp olive oil
About 1,760 kcal121 g protein18 g fiber
Day 7Sunday
- BreakfastPancakes with strawberries2 small pancakes, 1 tbsp maple syrup, ½ cup strawberries, 1 tsp butter, ½ cup 2% milk
- LunchGrilled cheese with cucumber salad2 slices white bread, 1½ oz cheddar, 1 tsp butter, 1 cup cucumber salad with 1 tsp olive oil, ½ cup green beans, ½ cup grapes
- SnackCheddar and pear slices1 oz cheddar, 1 small pear
- DinnerBeef and rice bowl4 oz raw 90% lean ground beef, 1 cup cooked white rice, 1 cup cabbage slaw with 2 tsp olive oil, ½ cup bell pepper
About 1,570 kcal62 g protein18 g fiber
Shopping list
What to buy
Most days
Chicken, fish and eggsChicken breast and thighs, turkey, cod, shrimp, eggschicken breastegg
- Flavor without saltGarlic, onion, lemon, vinegar, pepper, dried herbs
Now and then
Potatoes fit if you leach them first. Portions matter, so ask your dietitian how much fits your limit.
Make it yours
This week is a sample. Alma builds yours.
- Meals fit to your goal and the foods you like
- Log a meal by photo, voice or text in about 10 seconds
- Every meal gets an Alma Score from 0 to 100
Questions
What people ask
What foods are high in potassium?
Bananas, oranges and orange juice, potatoes, tomatoes, dried fruit, beans, nuts, chocolate, milk and salt substitutes are the usual higher potassium foods. The National Kidney Foundation lists them as foods to check with your dietitian, who can set the portions that fit your limit.
How much potassium can I have a day?
There is no single number. A low potassium diet is usually defined as 2 to 3 grams a day, and your care team sets your level from your blood tests, medicines and kidney function. Write your number down and bring it to your next appointment.
Can I still eat potatoes on a low potassium diet?
Sometimes, if you leach them first. Peel and slice the potato, soak it in warm water for at least 2 hours, then boil it in a large pot of fresh water. The National Kidney Foundation says leaching pulls out some but not all of the potassium.
Are salt substitutes safe with kidney disease?
Usually not. Many salt substitutes and lite salts swap sodium for potassium chloride, which can raise blood potassium a lot. NIDDK suggests using spices and herbs instead, and checking ingredient lists for potassium chloride.
Why do I need to limit potassium at all?
Damaged kidneys clear potassium more slowly, and a high blood level can affect the heartbeat. NIDDK says too much or too little potassium can cause heart and muscle problems. That is why the limit comes from your care team rather than from a plan.
How many calories is this meal plan?
About 1,500 to 1,760 calories a day, with 62 to 124 grams of protein and 14 to 20 grams of fiber. Scale portions to your size and activity. The calorie calculator gives you a starting number.
How does Alma help with a low potassium diet?
Log a meal by photo, voice or text in about 10 seconds, and every meal gets an Alma Score from 0 to 100, built on Harvard’s Alternate Healthy Eating Index. Alma can build a plan around your goal and the foods you like, and your clinician’s potassium limit stays the rule.
Sources
Written by Alma from the sources below and reviewed October 28, 2026. Calories and protein are estimates. This is general information, not medical advice. If you manage a health condition or take medication, check changes with your clinician. Editorial standards
Get a week built around you.
Tell Alma your goal and the foods you like. It plans the meals and scores each one.