Is anyone tracking their potassium?

likeaphoenix

From what I can see, I am not even getting CLOSE to the RDA for potassium. There's a lot of potassium in fruit, and I eat a lot of fruit. I eat salmon, and tuna, and chick peas, and broccoli (not all at once), and a banana every couple of days. Could the RDA be unrealistically high, or is it partly because I'm only doing 1200 cals per day? I feel fine.

Jorra

I never get up to the default potassium goal, but I make it a point to balance potassium and sodium because they work together in the body. I like to have more potassium than sodium. Check out my diary if you need ideas for increasing it!

The absolute best source I've found is something called TVP (textured vegetable protein). It's a meat substitute with almost 600mg per 1/4cup!

sesecat

I don't get anywhere near it, but had my doctor test my levels, and it came out normal. I wouldn't be concerned unless you get a lot of muscle cramps.

wanttogetskinny

I'm never ever close. I feel like I'd have to eat nothing but high-potassium foods each day to get relatively close.

wbutterfras

I've been reading some about the balance between sodium and potassium and it seems that it is good to have them balanced. I plan to start watching this and am going to buy some bananas tomorrow. We'll see how a banana a day helps.

Jorra

I've been reading some about the balance between sodium and potassium and it seems that it is good to have them balanced. I plan to start watching this and am going to buy some bananas tomorrow. We'll see how a banana a day helps.

Bananas may get attention for potassium, but there are much better sources out there! Check out http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=90 for a great chart on the best sources.

Rilke

YES, I track mine. I also often edit foods in the database to add potassium. I'm convinced that it's a vastly underrated nutrient.

27strange

It would be tough to reach the right amount of potassium each day. I agree, I have heard about balancing sodium with potassium and this seems logical from what I have read. I do typically eat a banana a day as part of my breakfast. I do get sore leg muscles from running and I think the bananas and getting potassium in general does help with the aches.

sassylilmama

I watch mine because when my potassium is low I get horrible dizziness among other problems. One thing to remember is that companies are not required to list potassium in their nutrition info. So you are probably getting more than you realize.

kcdrake

You're probably getting more than you realize. There are a lot of foods that contain potassium, but it just isn't listed under it's nutritional value. Unless you're having problems like muscle cramps or muscle weakness I wouldn't worry about it. When I was doing Insanity last year just making sure I was eating a banana a day and plenty of protein and muscle cramping wasn't an issue.

I'd also like to point out that if you are getting muscle cramps it doesn't automatically mean that you have a potassium deficiency. A lot of times I get muscle cramps when I'm not consuming enough salt! (But too much salt and my joints tend to swell... it's a fine balance.)

likeaphoenix

oh. my. goodness! I LOVE myfitnesspal! I can't believe you guys. Each and every answer that has been posted (and so swiftly, I must say) is SO interesting and helpful. Thank you all so much!!!! (one thing I've noticed as I've pondered this question about postassium, is that, say, orange juice has good potassium, but for me it's such a calorie-buster!) G'night everybody. Think healthy, eat healthy, be healthy!!

Jorra

oh. my. goodness! I LOVE myfitnesspal! I can't believe you guys. Each and every answer that has been posted (and so swiftly, I must say) is SO interesting and helpful. Thank you all so much!!!! (one thing I've noticed as I've pondered this question about postassium, is that, say, orange juice has good potassium, but for me it's such a calorie-buster!) G'night everybody. Think healthy, eat healthy, be healthy!!

Eating an orange is better! I get a lot of potassium from oranges, milk, and tomatoes. Of course, leafy greens have everything nutritious in them too.