Diet for Diabetes & High Potassium Levels

It is a common problem for people who suffer from diabetes to also suffer from hypertension, which is why many people with diabetes must be on low sodium diets. Some diabetics have a condition known as nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, a problem in which the kidneys are not able to conserve water. Too much sodium in the diet with this type of diabetes increases the risk of dehydration, which also calls for low salt diets.

Low Sodium Diets

Children 10 years and older require approximately 500 mg of sodium each day, however, most people consume approximately 5,000 mg of sodium. Because of this high consumption sodium, the actual restricted amount suggested for diabetics is 2400 mg on a daily basis. Reducing salt intake takes extreme attention to what you eat. To make it easier to remember what you should eliminate or limit in your diet, keep a list printed on your refrigerator and in your wallet for shopping purposes. If you are just starting a low sodium diet, it may initially be difficult to learn to cook in a new way. It may be beneficial to get low sodium diet cookbooks to help you learn make low sodium meals that are still tasty and desirable.

Foods to Eat

There are quite a few options on the low sodium list of foods, and they can be cooked and combined in any way to add variety. For protein, low sodium diets allow fish and other seafood that has not been boiled in high sodium seasonings. It is also acceptable to eat lean cuts of meat, eggs, egg substitutes, poultry and cottage cheese. For beverages it is acceptable to drink water, low sodium and diet sodas, as well as clear sodas such as ginger ale, and crystal light. Fruits and vegetables can include asparagus, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant and cucumbers, as well as iceberg lettuce, celery and onions. You may also eat snow peas, squash, and green and red peppers. Broccoli is also considered low sodium, as well as radishes.

Foods to Avoid

Because many processed foods contain high percentages of sodium, it is crucial to avoid eating or strictly limiting processed foods, canned foods and certain condiments. Foods that should be avoided or strictly limited include canned vegetables, table salt, garlic salt, onion salt and high-sodium marinades such as Worcestershire and soy sauce. All salty snacks such as pretzels, crackers, nuts and chips should be avoided. You should also avoid most TV dinners, pizza and sodas. Fruits and vegetables that should be avoided due to sodium are bananas, artichokes, okra, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, avocados, spinach, cantaloupe, dates, raisins, prunes and any type of vegetable juice. Low sodium diets should not include chocolate, bacon, hotdogs, other processed meats, peanut butter or dried beans.