Potassium

petemaher
petemaher Posts: 1 Member
edited November 14 in Food and Nutrition
I am having trouble with potassium regulation. Why are all of the foods even the ones that are supposed to be confirmed accurate, inaccurate. Like to bone or ribeye or any meat. None of the entries include potassium content, yet they all contain potassium. WHY?

Replies

  • ShaleSelkies
    ShaleSelkies Posts: 251 Member
    edited January 2017
    Companies aren't required to list potassium content on foods so many just don't. Due to this potassium content also often gets skipped out in the entries since folks don't have the information for it.
  • abatonfan
    abatonfan Posts: 1,120 Member
    edited January 2017
    Companies in the US aren't yet required to list potassium (they will in the near future as a part of the remodeled nutrition facts panel).

    Have you tried using USDA entries? They list potassium (291g of "Rib eye steak, grilled" has 757mg of potassium).
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    abatonfan wrote: »
    Companies in the US aren't yet required to list potassium (they will in the near future as a part of the remodeled nutrition facts panel).

    Have you tried using USDA entries? They list potassium (291g of "Rib eye steak, grilled" has 757mg of potassium).

    This. I always use complete USDA entries for fresh meats and veg, unless they've been modified somehow via marinades or whatever.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    To add to that, the database is largely user-created and prone to errors. The verified checkmark means little.
  • Dalceridae
    Dalceridae Posts: 81 Member
    I've been wondering this since I started logging food, but why is potassium so important?
  • crackpotbaby
    crackpotbaby Posts: 1,297 Member
    Potassium is the most important electrolyte IN you cells (sodium is the most important outside). If your potassium is seriously out of whack it will affect muscle contraction. Like your heart.

    Normal potassium is between 3.5 and 5 mE/L

    Unless you have prolonged losses from diahrea or vomiting, or are taking diuretics, and if you are are eating a balanced diet then your potassium levels are probably fine.

    If you are concerned, get a blood test to check.
    There's no real reason to track it if you're in the range.
  • CTcutie
    CTcutie Posts: 649 Member
    I was just thinking how "deficient" my meals have been (I eat at least 1 banana a day) when looking at my food log... til I remembered that most entries simpy don't record it.

    Kinda like how you will go way "over" sugar if you eat any fruit :-/
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