Potassium... How are you getting enough?

Also tomatoes. Meats. Even coffee has about 100+ MG per cup. That's why I log coffee even though I drink it black.
Note that potassium may not be included in the nutrition database...so while the app doesn't register it, that doesn't mean you are not getting it. Do a Google search for potassium rich foods and then look up the levels yourself and add the full nutrition value to the database.

You should try to track whole foods like veggies using the USDA entries that MFP entered (they have no asterisk), as opposed to the user entered foods. They are generally more accurate, have lots of different measurement options (like the extremely convenient 100 grams), and include potassium. Because I use those entries, I was able to see that my potassium is generally well above the MFP goal.

Usually the trick to finding them is plural plus "raw" (assuming you weigh raw, which is ideal anyway): "carrots, raw" or "broccoli, raw" or "potatoes-red, with skin, raw" are examples of the format.

Brussel sprouts are rich in potassium

lemurcat12 wrote: »

You should try to track whole foods like veggies using the USDA entries that MFP entered (they have no asterisk), as opposed to the user entered foods. They are generally more accurate, have lots of different measurement options (like the extremely convenient 100 grams), and include potassium. Because I use those entries, I was able to see that my potassium is generally well above the MFP goal.

Usually the trick to finding them is plural plus "raw" (assuming you weigh raw, which is ideal anyway): "carrots, raw" or "broccoli, raw" or "potatoes-red, with skin, raw" are examples of the format.

This is smart

Banana's are killing my Carbs/sugar!!

RodaRose wrote: »

Many of the entries in the data base do not include potassium amounts because the US FDA does not require that info on packages.
Forget about the potassium.

This

Justygirl77 wrote: »

Folks don't always do the data entry correctly....perhaps it's not being included in the data input?

And this

I don't think I've EVER hit mfp's potassium recommendation

Potassium can be a serious deficiency. I do track it and what I do is to look for entries that show a potassium listing. They all don't, but most foods have some. I find 0 to be a red flag that it isn't correct. I have had a deficiency so I pay attention to this. Biggest sources that people can do are V8 low sodium, swiss chard, and lima beans. Bananas are a myth, they have no more than a lot of other foods.

jessicanorgaard wrote: »

Thanks all. I eat tons of veggies. I bet it is the quality of the items in the database not listing potassium like RodaRose mentioned.

Luckily as a female I am not concerned about testicular cramps. More heart health.

You probably already are hitting it or coming close, especially if those veggies are frozen/canned/dried. A cup of chickpeas has 1750 mg--but most prepackaged entries don't have that information because it hasn't been on the label.

Sweepypie wrote: »

If you go to your home page and go to nutrients it tells you how much potassium you have used and what's left.

I've always got lots left. I gave up looking for food entries that have potassium listed, they are few and far between

I'm not concerned about it now but when I was younger and played lots of sports I made sure I got enough. Severe muscle cramps are not fun. I get adequate amounts with food now so I don't track it.

I was told by my doctor a bit ago and he said that bananas are full of potassium! So I have one a day and I don't need medication for it now.

One can of spinach: 100 calories, 1700 mg Potassium.

One avocado: 250 calories, 900 mg Potassium.

One potato: 110 calories, 400 mg Potassium.

Bang. Done.

Swiss chard, spinach, mushrooms are very high in potassium.