The Daily Value (DV) on food labels was established for the general public to help determine, and give reference, if a food is a high or low source of specific nutrients.
General Recommendations:
For people with healthy kidneys a high potassium intake is considered healthy. The daily goal from the FDA is 4,700 mg, which is set to help people compare nutrients for foods and supplements. The food label is generally based on a 2,000 calorie diet, you may need more or less, speak with your health care team to specific guidance.
Recommendations in Kidney Disease
Once the kidneys can no longer remove potassium (usually in later stage 4 and stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD)), and blood potassium values rise above normal (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) a lower potassium diet is usually prescribed. The % Daily Value can still help guide people with CKD when reading food labels.
Staring in January 2020 potassium is now required to be on the Nutrition Facts Label (in milligrams and % Daily Value). An understanding of what to look for can help make grocery shopping easier. Here’s a general potassium DV guideline from the National Kidney Foundation to help interpret the numbers when reading food labels:
- Up to 3 % DV = 100 mg or less, low potassium
- Up to 3-6 % DV = 100-200 mg, medium potassium
- Up to 6-9% DV = 201-300 mg, high potassium
- Over 9% DV = 300 mg or more, very high potassium
The American Kidney Fund gives similar guidance:
- Low potassium: < 150 mg mg
- Medium potassium: 151-250 mg
- High potassium: > 250 mg
Conclusion
Each person has individual requirements for potassium depending on kidney function, lab values, appetite and type of dialysis treatment. It’s a good idea for people with chronic kidney disease to always check with their kidney care team rather than guess about their diet requirements for potassium.
