The Sodium/Potassium Balance

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Jorra
Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I just wrote a blog post about the important of potassium and sodium together. Check it out if you're interested.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Jorra/view/why-you-need-a-sodium-potassium-balance-109745

Replies

  • GrampsWooha
    GrampsWooha Posts: 184
    thanks!
  • Dnsnyder
    Dnsnyder Posts: 263 Member
    Awesome post. I always find myself trying to explain this to people. It's important to understand how processes in your body work and how they are affected by what you do...eat, drink, exercise, sleep...everything! =)
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    Awesome post. I always find myself trying to explain this to people. It's important to understand how processes in your body work and how they are affected by what you do...eat, drink, exercise, sleep...everything! =)

    So true! Whenever I eat things I think about what it's doing on the cellular level, I'm weird like that.
  • MrBrown72
    MrBrown72 Posts: 407 Member
    you missed my favorite source of potassium, Coffee!
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    you missed my favorite source of potassium, Coffee!

    Oh how could I forget that! Keep drinking that coffee!
  • bethrs
    bethrs Posts: 664 Member
    not to hi jack the thread, but how do folks feel about potassium supplements? I am always low (by a long shot), but I've heard mixed things about taking the supplements. AND- the pills I have only supply 99mg of potassium- no where near enough to make up for my deficit a the end of most days.
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    not to hi jack the thread, but how do folks feel about potassium supplements? I am always low (by a long shot), but I've heard mixed things about taking the supplements. AND- the pills I have only supply 99mg of potassium- no where near enough to make up for my deficit a the end of most days.

    I would suggest cherry tomatoes. I always pop a few when I need to up my count. Each one has 350mg!
  • bethrs
    bethrs Posts: 664 Member
    sweet. That's great advice. Thanks.
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    not to hi jack the thread, but how do folks feel about potassium supplements? I am always low (by a long shot), but I've heard mixed things about taking the supplements. AND- the pills I have only supply 99mg of potassium- no where near enough to make up for my deficit a the end of most days.

    I would suggest cherry tomatoes. I always pop a few when I need to up my count. Each one has 350mg!

    That seems really high for one cherry tomato. According to the site I use for fruit and veggie info each one has about 40mg of potassium and that a cup of cherry tomatoes would have around 350mg. http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2682/2
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    not to hi jack the thread, but how do folks feel about potassium supplements? I am always low (by a long shot), but I've heard mixed things about taking the supplements. AND- the pills I have only supply 99mg of potassium- no where near enough to make up for my deficit a the end of most days.

    I would suggest cherry tomatoes. I always pop a few when I need to up my count. Each one has 350mg!

    That seems really high for one cherry tomato. According to the site I use for fruit and veggie info each one has about 40mg of potassium and that a cup of cherry tomatoes would have around 350mg. http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2682/2


    I'm looking around and seeing the same thing! It's a good thing you mentioned that! There's one more inaccurate entry in the MFP database, that's what I was originally basing it off of. I will look around for more high potassium foods then, thanks!
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    According to the list here: http://www.thepotassiumrichfoods.com/ it seems that figs and dates are the best option for potassium density (high potassium in a little amount of food!) I may start buying those as well.

    EDIT: I also find papayas are very loaded with potassium, almost 1000mg in a cup of cubed raw papaya.
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    I've been thinking about this all night now, obsessive, I know.

    http://www.krispin.com/potassm.html has a great list as well.
  • oxavecamourxo
    oxavecamourxo Posts: 270 Member
    I've read from multiple sources that one should have a 3:1 potassium to sodium ratio. I've also heard that you should try to keep your sodium intake around 500-1000mg.
  • oxavecamourxo
    oxavecamourxo Posts: 270 Member
    Now that I'm reading more articles about it I am confused. lol Some say equal amounts. Some say more potassium than sodium. lol
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    Now that I'm reading more articles about it I am confused. lol Some say equal amounts. Some say more potassium than sodium. lol

    As far as the reason in my blog post goes, equal amounts makes sense. I've also read about keeping sodium at 1500mg and 2mg potassium per calorie you eat (so on the 1200cal diet, 2400mg). The body is a strange and confusing thing, we're all trying our best to do what's right. Good thing the body is also forgiving!
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