Low-Potassium Meat & Fish

People who suffer from kidney disease need to watch their potassium intake. They need to minimize the stress their diet places on their kidneys, which help regulate potassium levels. Consuming too much potassium can interfere with the rhythm of your heart. Early symptoms of high potassium levels include numbness, tingling and weakness. If potassium levels aren't lowered, a heart attack could occur.

A bowl of steamed clams on a wooden table. (Image: kazoka30/iStock/Getty Images)

Fish and Seafood

While normally considered relatively high in potassium, some fish and seafood options are still low enough in potassium to fit into a low-potassium diet on occasion. Imitation shrimp and imitation scallops both have less than 100 milligrams of potassium per 3-ounce serving. Oysters, clams, orange roughy and light tuna canned in oil have less than 200 milligrams per serving.

Chicken and Turkey

Although chicken and turkey tend to have relatively high levels of potassium when compared to other types of meat, some options can be low in potassium. Roasted turkey meat without the skin can have under 100 milligrams of potassium per 3-ounce serving. Chicken backs, chicken liver and ground turkey have under 200 milligrams of potassium per serving.

Red Meat

Red meat tends to have moderate levels of potassium, with between 100 and 300 milligrams per serving. Pork chitterlings, lamb and beef liver, however, have less than 100 milligrams of potassium per serving. Pork liver and many cuts of cooked beef, including tip round roast and bottom round roast, are a bit higher in potassium, but still have less than 200 milligrams per 3-ounce serving.

Sodium Considerations

If you are following a low-potassium diet because of kidney problems, you'll probably need to avoid foods high in sodium as well. A number of meat and seafood options that are low in potassium are also high in sodium, such as pickled pork hocks, which have less than 100 milligrams of potassium per serving. Corned beef, shrimp, Italian sausage, ham, bratwurst and crab each had less than 200 milligrams of potassium per serving.