I've been using this for three weeks and all is well, except

LearnedHat
LearnedHat Posts: 1
in Food and Nutrition
Sodium is through the roof and hardly ever reach my potassium goal. I'll just have to slowly work on sodium. I'm not adding salt so I'll need to be cognizant of it at the grocery store. Are there potassium supplements that work?

Replies

  • sbarella
    sbarella Posts: 713 Member
    Many foods don't list their micronutrients, so you probably don't need a potassium supplement.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Sodium, potassium & carbs are all maximums, not minimums. Forget about the potassium & work on reducing your sodium.

    Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • sjaykay13
    sjaykay13 Posts: 74
    75% of sodium intake is from processed foods, not table salt. Rule of thumb is not eating anything that has over 200mg per serving. It's hard, I rarely eat anything that's pre-made or processed i.e. anything in the middle aisles of the grocery store. Good foods for potassium are dried apricots, spinach, kale, yogurt, white beans, and avocados to name a few.
  • Carol_L
    Carol_L Posts: 296 Member
    Here's someplace to start.

    http://www.buzzle.com/articles/potassium-rich-foods-list-of-foods-high-in-potassium.html

    This is a page that explains the importance of potassium in the diet and provides a list of foods that have decent potasium content.

    Potassium, like sodium, is an important electrolyte to your body's basic functioning.
  • jayjay12345654321
    jayjay12345654321 Posts: 653 Member
    I can't see your diary, but typically when people complain of excess sodium they are eating: deli meat, cheese, pizza and other restaurant foods where you have no control over how it is made. And as someone mentioned above - processed foods will sneak in there without you even realizing it.

    Never, never pick up a salt shaker. There is plenty found naturally in food. If you're tracking potassium in your diary and see that it's excessively low, you can use No Salt as a substitute.

    Drink plenty of water to flush out the excess sodium or you'll bloat and have to deal with excess water retention.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Make sure you're checking nutritional labels and other nutrition sources online to make sure the MFP listing is accurate for potassium. A lot of the lesser nutrients (micros, not macros) aren't high priority for user entered food listings, of which there are many in the database.

    As far as sodium from foods, you will have to switch up your choices. Fresh (or even frozen without sauces) veggies, fresh fruits, cook your own meats instead of using things like frozen chicken breasts or deli meats. Try to cut down on prepared foods either in a box/bag at the grocery store or from restaurants. Instead of adding salt for flavor, use herbs and other spices, especially fresh ones.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    canned vegetables, premade seasonings and soups are usually the biggest offenders. If I buy canned veggies, I buy the no- or low-sodium versions. I make my own taco and fajita seasonings. The packaged versions usually have quite a lot of sodium in them, and homemade tastes better anyway.
  • Amanda_Gx6
    Amanda_Gx6 Posts: 320 Member
    canned vegetables, premade seasonings and soups are usually the biggest offenders. If I buy canned veggies, I buy the no- or low-sodium versions. I make my own taco and fajita seasonings. The packaged versions usually have quite a lot of sodium in them, and homemade tastes better anyway.

    ^^ 100% agree.

    Homemade seasoning could be your key to tackling this issue because you control how much goes into it. I use fresh or frozen veggies. The only canned veg I use is tomatoes with no salt added. Also processed foods are high in sodium and you can cut down on those easy. I go over on sodium every so often but its usually on days I'm not paying attention.

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