• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Low Carb, Low Potassium Diet?

Oldvatr

Expert
Messages
8,453
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I have been using LCHF diet at medium carb intake levels, so not keto. I eat TWOMAD. No snax.
I suffer a heart condition that I have been prescribed a new BP med that is kind to heart patients (apparently). I have had blood tests that show that this new med is both hyponatremic and hyperkalemic, which means it lowers my sodium levels, but increases my potassium levels. I am also on water tablets for my heart. These also lower sodium, but also are potassium sparing.

I have been compensating the sodium loss by spoonfuls of salt sprinkled liberally, and for 2 years that seems to have kept that at bay, The potasssium also stabilised at just over the high limit, but Consultant and GP say its not a problem. I used to agree with them since the cure is not pleasant. But recently this hot weather has exacerbated things. I drink more, and wee more and generally leak sweat all over so I am increasing the electrolyte loss rate significantly, and it is giving me noticeable problems heartwise.

I have halved my BP med and water tablet dose. And I am attempting a Low Potassium version of LCHF.
So in the bin went my morning bacon, and the tomatoes too and the beetroot. I abandoned my plans for using butternut squash in a curry, and a tomato based spagbol. No more avacados, tomato ketchup, mangoes , bananas, passion fruit, melon, potatoes. Mind you I had already dropped most of these because of glucose responses.

So far (day 3 ) I have noticed an improvement in my general condition, so I think its working. I'm gonna miss my bacon.
 
Last edited:
You've dropped so much else that I'm sure the occasional bit of bacon wouldn't go amiss, and the good thing with bacon is that a little can go a long way flavourwise
 
MrsA2 said:
You've dropped so much else that I'm sure the occasional bit of bacon wouldn't go amiss, and the good thing with bacon is that a little can go a long way flavourwise
Click to expand...
I need to go upmarket with the bacon. The cheap supermarket cuts are imprgnated with potassium nitrate. I need to find ones that use sodium nitrate instead. I remember that of old, potassium nitrate was part of the recipe for gunpowder. (also known as saltpeter). I have bought extra eggs to compensate for the moment.
 

Here you can buy them without, you just have to pay more...

I'd be more concerned about cutting out avocadoes though !!! (I know, first world problems)
 
I forgot to mention one Item now on the naughty step - chocolate! Oh, and hazlenut spread!
 
Oldvatr said:
I forgot to mention one Item now on the naughty step - chocolate! Oh, and hazlenut spread!
Click to expand...

You're starting to make me think of the joke about the man who went to see his doctor and was told that he only had a year to live.
"Is there anything I can do about it?"
The doctor tells him to give up a list of pretty well any enjoyable activity you can think of.
"Will that make me live longer?"
"No, but it will feel like it."

I guess it's excellent that your modified diet is working, but I feel like you need a list of good stuff you can still eat, rather than good stuff you can't eat.

Greek yoghurt with raspberries? If you use frozen berries you can make it into ice cream.... (I confess we add a bit of splenda when we do this).

Maybe you can ease up when the weather cools?
 

Make your own ham at home?

Ham and eggs almost as good...
 
Simmering in water does work, alternatively find a cheap (good luck with that) source of traditionally dry cured bacon.
 
ajbod said:
Simmering in water does work, alternatively find a cheap (good luck with that) source of traditionally dry cured bacon.
Click to expand...
My local provider does offer this at a slightly higher price than the standard one I buy from them.

Edit to add: since researching this tip, I find that dry cured can still use potassium nitrate in the process, so is not in itself an answer to my issue. I need sodium cured.
 
Last edited:
Here is an easily understandable article from a fairly reliable source. It is mainly for CKD treatment, but as I indicated in my OP, my special heart med is inducing this problem too.
Link deleted since article has been moved, or deleted. Sorry.

I see nuts and whole grain produce is a no-no, so no more Eatwell for me! Dairy is also contraindicated, and I rely on cheese. This is not as simple as I thought when I started. Even Popeye would struggle since spinach is out too.
 
Last edited:
Why no cheese?
 
Oldvatr said:
Dairy product are high (ish) potassium. Goats cheese seems to be the lowest content. Soft cheeses are high and tend to have higher portion sizes
Click to expand...
Thanks. Just trying to work out where to sodium and potassium comes from. I mean, it's just milk.
 
lucylocket61 said:
Thanks. Just trying to work out where to sodium and potassium comes from. I mean, it's just milk.
Click to expand...
Plants use potassium to regulate photosynthesis. Cows eat grass. Cows need potassium to control muscle activity. We need potassium to control muscles and also as a primary signalling mechanism along with calcium and sodium. Potassium is an electronic switch that works in the beta cells during insulin production.

Potassium naturally occurs in water as it leaches out of clays and silt. Fertilisers are generally based on nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. We cannot escape from it.
 
Found another hooligan lurking in the pantry. Peanut Butter. It should remain in the pantry for now,
 
We always buy outdoor bred, dry cured bacon. Costs a bit more but the quality is better than 'normal' bacon. You can also get 'Naked' bacon from the supermarkets - no Nitrites.
 
lucylocket61 said:
Why no cheese?
Click to expand...
Don't get that. My doctor says that nuts are fine as they are low carb and high protein. He's also said that eggs and bacon are fine in moderation as long as you don't eat the cheapo supermarket bacon. Also fruit is fine with natural Greek full fat yoghurt as it contains invert natural sugar, not the highly refined man made rubbish.
 
KindredSpirit said:
We always buy outdoor bred, dry cured bacon. Costs a bit more but the quality is better than 'normal' bacon. You can also get 'Naked' bacon from the supermarkets - no Nitrites.
Click to expand...
The dry cure mixes contain nitrites. Even the brine mix. I have googled Naked Bacon and got zero hits except some kinky body lotions and T shirts. Nitrites are a cheaper modern method of curing for the mass production processes. In days gone by it used to be sodium or potassium nitrate fresh from the ground. There are a few traditional suppliers but it is expensive since the curing is by hand and takes time for the curing to take. Nitrites are a spray on solution.

But this thread is about my potassium diet and medical need to follow one. I have managed to relax a little now and seem to be out of the panic situation. I am back on the Back and the toms, but not the beetroot. I avoid tinned tomatoes though and ketchup is still a no-no.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…