potassium in milk

Question
some labels on milk list potassium around, some don't list it at all are these labels true or dose all milk have potassium in it and unsweetened baking coco dos it have potassium in it, I am on low pot diet and been going by what food labels say thanks

Answer
Hi Don!  Milk is actually very high in potassium.  We recommend patients on low potassium diets consume only the equivalent of one dairy serving per day; when they are in our hospital they actually ony receive a half cup of milk at breakfast.  Cocoa is a little less cut and dry.  All cocoa is treated because the raw form is extremely bitter due to a low pH.  Most cocoa is treated to raise the pH and make it taste better using the Dutch process method of adding an alkali.  Unfortunately, potassium carbonate is the alkali most commonly used, which raises the potassium content of the cocoa.  I do not know about the potassium content of non-alkali treated cocoa, which is less common, but since cocoa begins life as a nut I would believe the potassium content would not be real low.  Guidelines usually state to "limit intake" in the same way you would limit coffee and tea.  (We actually tell patients not to drink coffee or tea but some guidelines recommend a limit of one serving per day.)

I hope that helps.  The best way for you to incorporate a variety of foods into your diet is to keep doing what you have been doing, reading nutrition labels.  Reading ingredients lists on the label to pick out any added potassium will also help.  If nutrition information is not available on a product, a phone number for the company should be provided to call for nutrition and allergy information.

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