Do you get enough Potassium?

luvmakidz
luvmakidz Posts: 26 Member
edited November 26 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been tracking here for a few weeks and notice that I really never come close to getting enough potassium. I think I eat a pretty healthy and well rounded diet. How are the rest of you doing with your potassium? If you are getting enough, what foods do you eat that are high in potassium?

Replies

  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I have no medical reason to track potassium, so I don't. I'm anemic, so I look at iron, although I mostly get iron from supplements. Fiber helps me with satiety, so I track that.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    I don't track it, but for fun just looked at my reports and according to that I do not by far. Not worried a lot of the db entries on food lacks a lot of nutrient data in this aspect.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,302 Member
    How am i doing with my potassium??

    I have absolutely no idea. No reason to worry about it, So I don't.
  • busyPK
    busyPK Posts: 3,788 Member
    I don't track it. And like others have said, MFP entries are user created and often lacking in a lot of the areas (potassium, iron, fiber, etc.). Unless you have a medical reason to monitor your potassium I wouldn't bother.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    mywayroche wrote: »
    The database is incomplete. You have to REALLY search for complete entries in terms of potassium

    Even then, not every company reports potassium
  • mistypenningtongoin
    mistypenningtongoin Posts: 22 Member
    Kiwi fruit
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited May 2018
    I only worry about it when my calves start cramping a lot. And then I take a supplement.
  • briscogun
    briscogun Posts: 1,138 Member
    I eat a banana every day so I feel like I'm good there but who knows...?
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    Potassium isn't required on food labels, which makes me feel better about the fact I pay no attention to it. I tend to eat a pretty wide variety of foods anyway. I don't think it's cause for concern, unless you have blood work that shows otherwise.
  • ejbronte
    ejbronte Posts: 867 Member
    Calliope610 wrote: »
    ejbronte wrote: »
    Some food I like high in potassium: banana, sweet potato, spinach, avocado, salmon.

    And COFFEE :)

    Mushrooms too.

    How could I forget coffee!!!!??? Unfortunately, I don't like mushrooms. Maybe one day...
  • midlomel1971
    midlomel1971 Posts: 1,283 Member
    I have no idea but I eat a banana every day, so I think so?
  • nickssweetheart
    nickssweetheart Posts: 874 Member
    I don't track it but I pulled my report and it looks like most days I'm close to it and sometimes I'm way over so I think it balances out. Looks like I get it from broccoli, squash, potatoes, bananas, navy beans, and lentils.

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,598 Member
    Truthfully, I don't much worry about micros. I've spot checked myself occasionally as a reference point, and know some that it's useful for me to supplement (example: Vit D, as someone who lives in the North, is aging, and has osteopenia that was probably prescription drug related). I routinely eat a minimum of 5 servings of varied, colorful fruits and vegetables daily; usually at least 10 servings; and sometimes upwards of 20. This is better, micronutrient-wise, than most humans through history have had the good fortune to be able to do. So why worry? Worrying isn't fun. I like fun better.
  • Leslierussell4134
    Leslierussell4134 Posts: 376 Member
    Most people who eat a variety of veggies seem to do okay with potassium. Fruit is awesome too, but one banana a day won't cut it, as the average banana only has 250-400 mg...so you'd have to to eat like 11 or 12 large to meet that. Many people don't have to worry about potassium at all, unless you have a medical condition. I watch my potassium because I've had high blood pressure since I was 19. Potassium is the inverse of sodium and helps regulate healthy blood pressure at a ratio of approx 3/1.
  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,563 Member
    Calliope610 wrote: »
    ejbronte wrote: »
    Some food I like high in potassium: banana, sweet potato, spinach, avocado, salmon.

    And COFFEE :)

    Mushrooms too.

    Coffee? Cool, I'm covered :)
  • stacybaker707
    stacybaker707 Posts: 126 Member
    edited May 2018
    I have kidney disease and my body doesn't process potassium well. That and the medicines I take usually keep mine pretty high. I am on a low potassium diet but I've been told to avoid specifically:
    Potatoes
    Oranges, orange juice
    Avocado
    Banana
    Anything you have to peel, as my dr. says
    I eat avocados, but I no longer eat potatoes or oranges or juice
  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member
    It WAS: that effective July 26, 2018 the FDA required a new nutrition label on foods from manufacturers with sales over $10M. This new label is to include potassium.

    Then in June of 2017 the FDA extended the date and has yet to state a new date for potassium (and other changes) to be required.

    Some companies have already implemented the changeover on some products. All have not. Label readers have noticed the difference. In particular, calories per serving is in larger, bolder print.
  • choppie70
    choppie70 Posts: 544 Member
    I am on a diuretic which lowers my potassium as well as kidney issues, so I track my potassium. If I am low I can tell - I get muscle cramps in weird places (like my jaw if I yawn!) and heart palpitations.

    xdbwl7j993xk.png
  • louloubelle79
    louloubelle79 Posts: 2 Member
    I have started to take supplements due to suffering with restless leg syndrome which keeps me awake every night and read that can be caused by low potassium and B1. Partly due also I believe to the amount of running I do I'm not getting what I need. One banana a day not cutting it, I also eat lots of veg so believe I need some extra help. Since taking one week ago leg cramps have got better. Never really thought how Potassium can affect you, it supports your nervous system and muscles.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    The US has again delayed the ruling that Nutrition Facts labels include potassium. Even nationwide chain restaurants that do list nutrition data often don't have potassium listings. A recent ruling seems to be requiring restaurants to list nutrition, but until we see it I won't know what they list.
  • dougie69
    dougie69 Posts: 1 Member
    It is very important.

    https://draxe.com/low-potassium/
  • tannerrobertson927
    tannerrobertson927 Posts: 3 Member
    Avocados are super high in potassium. Also, cream of tartar, find it in the spices section of the grocery store. Extremely high in potassium. I add a 1/4 tsp to water almost every day.
  • ejbronte
    ejbronte Posts: 867 Member
    In MFP, the USDA entries usually give potassium. In cases where I can't find accurate potassium listings in MFP, I Google the ingredient till I find what I need, then enter the missing potassium as "Potassium Pill", and the amount calculated. I'm lucky in liking lots of potassium-rich foods, so the numbers mount up nicely.
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