Potassium Rich Foods – List of Foods High in Potassium
A healthy, well-balanced, and plentiful diet of foods high in potassium will keep you from worrying about mineral imbalance.
The Importance of Potassium:
Potassium is a mineral salt (electrolyte) that is essential for maintaining the balance of pH levels in our body fluids. It plays an important role in regulating our blood pressure, bone mass, nervous system, muscle function, and heart, kidney, and adrenal functions. Low levels of potassium can cause potassium deficiency and bring on a whole host of health problems.
People with a potassium deficiency are said to be suffering from Hypokalemia. There are a number of causes that can bring on potassium deficiency The usual suspects are a poor or inadequate diet that precludes potassium rich foods, or too many experimental and fad diets. People with diabetes and kidney problems are also likely to suffer from mineral imbalance.
You will know that you are deficient in potassium if you find yourself experiencing an overall weakness and seem to be constantly fatigued. You’re also likely to have trouble concentrating on your daily tasks, and may have difficulty with muscular coordination. Potassium deficiency can lead to high blood pressure problems, hypertension, strokes, and heart irregularities. So, if you suspect something of the sort, go see your doctor.
The Importance of Potassium Rich Foods:
If you follow a healthy, well-balanced, and plentiful diet of foods high in potassium, it is not likely that you will need to worry about suffering from mineral imbalance. Potassium is naturally found in fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products. Meat, Poultry and Fish foods are high in potassium too, but an entirely carnivorous diet will be detrimental to your health, causing a rise in acid levels and depleting potassium levels.
A number of potassium supplements are available too in the market, and quite a few people include these in their daily regimen. This is not really necessary if, as mentioned, your meals contain enough potassium high foods, and it is best not to go for any kind of potassium supplements without first consulting your doctor. An excess of potassium is equally likely to spell trouble. Unless your doctor gives you the go ahead, you would be better off really just reaching for another cantaloupe slice, another banana, a handful more of strawberries, and adding a pinch of turmeric to many of your cooked meals.
Some people, of course, don’t have much choice. Various ailments deem it necessary for them to monitor their potassium intake, and so it is necessary for them to take supplements which inform them about the exact amount of potassium that is daily ingested.
Athletes and other sports people also require potassium supplements. If you exercise rigorously, keep it mind that sweating overmuch brings about mineral imbalance and you should take frequent breaks to refuel depleting potassium levels with electrolyte drinks and energy bars.
While having a fit body is becoming pretty important in our society these days, never, never, never go for starvation diets. There are many ways of getting into shape without ruining your health. Explore those other avenues.
What foods are high in potassium?
Aside from the aforementioned cantaloupe, potassium rich foods include:
Bananas
Oranges
Apricots
Avocado
Strawberries
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Cucumber
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Chard
Bell pepper
Eggplant
Squash
Crimini mushrooms
Brussels sprouts
Turmeric
Parsley
Spinach
Broccoli
Tuna
Halibut
Here is a list of some foods high in potassium and their potassium content from the USDA National Nutrient Database:
Potassium Rich Foods
Weight
Measure
Potassium Content
Raw, baby carrots
10
1 medium
24 mg
Raw Lettuce
10
1 leaf
19 mg
Raw Onions
14
1 slice
20 mg
Fresh Strawberries
12
1 strawberry
18 mg
Raw Garlic
3
1 clove
12 mg
Honey
21
1 tablespoon
11 mg
Raw Radishes
4.5
1 radish
10 mg
Raw Peppers
10
1 ring
18 mg
White Bread
23
1 slice
17 mg
Papayas
304
1 papaya
781 mg
Lima Beans
188
1 cup
955 mg
Plantains
179
1 medium
893 mg
Jerusalem Artichokes
150
1 cup
644 mg
Bananas
118
1 banana
422 mg
Oat Bran
94
1 cup
532 mg
Tomatoes
255
1 cup
528 mg
Cucumber
301
1 large
442 mg
Cantaloupe
160
1 cup
427 mg
Pears
275
1 pear
333 mg
Mangoes
207
1 mango
323 mg
