Food Labeling Reading for CKD: Potassium

Food labels can be tricky to navigate with CKD. Although nutrition facts labels now provides potassium content of foods, the information can be misleading for those who have needs that differ from a standard healthy diet. Many food companies are adding potassium salts to food to help reduce sodium, so it’s vital that those following low potassium diets (such as dialysis patients or those in late stages of CKD) be equip with the knowledge and skills to read food labels for potassium content.

This educational handout:

• outlines steps to take when reading a food label
• shows where potassium may be listed on a food label
• discusses what the %DV means, how to calculate potassium in milligrams when only %DV is available
• quick guidelines so your client can look at the amount of %DV of potassium and determine if the food is low, medium or high in potassium
• guidance of reading ingredient list to search for potassium additives 

If you are looking for a quick and easy one page tool to help your clients decode a food label for potassium – this is for you!