Source of potassium

Dadgerben
Dadgerben Posts: 27 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I was going through my nutrition tracking options and checking the levels of the track-able nutrients. Most were good. It seems like iron is a little low but potassium is almost nothing.

It says it recommends 3500/day and I was hitting less than 100. So I asked my doctor about it and said my recent blood-test showed my potassium is right where it should be. So now I'm wondering, where is that coming from if I'm not getting it in my diet (as recorded here)? Thanks!

Replies

  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    It's not required labeling on foods so it only gets entered on MFP by people who are tracking it and explicitly enter it, like me.
    You're getting a lot more than is listed here, but maybe not the suggested amount (although it sounds like you are).
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    If you're getting less than 100, it's very likely that the food entries you're using aren't listing the potassium content. For generic no-brand items, if you use the MFP staff added entries (the ones without an asterisk) they use USDA data and include potassium.

    As for getting more - basically eat more fruit, vegetables, oats, meat & dairy etc. Potatoes are a great source. Here: http://nutritiondata.self.com/tools/nutrient-search you can find foods that are high in potassium listed by 100g serving, or by 200 calorie serving.

    Sounds like you're fine though, based on your medical test.
  • zarchasmpgmr
    zarchasmpgmr Posts: 2 Member
    JesterMFP is spot on. Since potassium content is not required, you'll find that potassium is missing from many entries, and using MFP to track potassium is not the best.

    And if the doc says your potassium levels are normal, no worries then. If you are really concerned, have a banana. :happy:
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    One of the best sources of potassium is actually spinach! I know everyone thinks of bananas, but they are not even in the top 10.
  • slim4health56
    slim4health56 Posts: 439 Member
    http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-potassium.php
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    The best I've found is certain brands of coconut water. Cals/mg/swallow factor, it's hard to beat.
    I eat tons of tomato based stuff already so it can fill in nicely on a high sodium day.

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