Known also as hypokalemia, potassium deficiency occurs when the level of blood potassium sinks down to a tiny 3.5mmol/liter. This, thankfully, is rarely caused by too little potassium consumption.
Still, we’re not referring to hypokalemia today, as that is a serious medical emergency. Instead, we’re talking about low potassium consumption and how you can negate the symptoms you get from it. Here are some foods to eat if you have a potassium deficiency.
15 FOODS TO EAT IF YOU HAVE A POTASSIUM DEFICIENCY
1. POTATOES (OF ALL TYPES)
Potatoes are versatile and can be made into any type of dish. The average medium one will hold 515 mg of potassium, and white potatoes are so nutritionally dense that they’re well worth eating. Do keep in mind, though, that a lot of potassium lies in their skin, not the flesh, so try to eat unpeeled potatoes or have potato skins now and then.
If you like them, sweet potatoes are even better! The average-sized one has 541 mg of potassium, and they’re full of protein, fiber, complex carbs, and enough vitamin A for four days. Some even have up to 900 mg of potassium!
2. BANANAS
Everyone immediately makes the link between potassium and bananas, and for good reason. The average banana holds an impressive 422 mg of potassium. Being a fruit, it’s full of great vitamins, too, and it’s filling thanks to its healthy carbohydrate content.
If you can stomach them, green bananas have the most benefits, as riper bananas will have more sugar content. Green bananas have lots of starch and are known for properties that boost gut health as well as maintain glucose levels in the blood.
3. DAIRY
Yogurt is one of the best dairy products to eat if you have a potassium deficiency. One standard cup of the stuff holds 579 mg of the mineral you need, and they’re great for overall gut health and weight management.
-- There are other dairy products that work wonders, too.
-- Whole milk has 300 mg per cup while nonfat milk has 400 mg per cup.
-- If you do buy yogurt to help your lack of potassium, opt for plain varieties, not fruit-flavored ones, as those often
have tons of sugar in them.
4. DRIED FRUIT
If you’re a fan of sweet but healthy snacks, dried fruit is a great way to get your potassium boost. Six dried apricots provide 488 mg of potassium, and a whole cup will get you 1,500 mg! They also have lots of vitamins and taste fantastic in a trail mix or with a milky breakfast.
-- Prunes and raisins are also great. Half of cup of prunes, when stewed, nets you 400 mg of the mineral.
-- Both these fruits – dried plums and dried grapes respectively – are also good for bone density and strength.
-- Not a fan of apricots, raisins, or prunes? Other dried fruits will have similar good results. You can try dried
peaches or figs, but keep them unsweetened!
5. ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING TOMATO
Tomatoes can be consumed as is or made into a juice, sauce, or paste and still be stuffed with potassium. In fact, tomato pastes and sauces have more potassium than tomatoes alone! Just three tablespoons of a tomato paste will have 486 mg.
Best of them all are sun-dried tomatoes, which have an impressive 1,800 mg of potassium in a single cup. They’re packed with protein, fiber, and vitamin C, and they’re great for the immune system and digestive system. Tomatoes in general also have compounds that have positive effects on inflammation and insulin resistance, and may even lower cancer risk!
6. CLAMS
Clams aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. If they’re yours, great news – just 100 grams of the seafood contains 534 mg of potassium. They can fight inflammatory conditions and help overall health, and they taste delicious in chowder.
Plus, they have more vitamin B12 than any other food. They offer tons of nutrients, are packed with good fats and omega-3, and are an incredible protein source. So if you didn’t like clams before, it may be time to try again now – especially if you have a potassium deficiency.
7. BEANS
Most lentils and beans are packed with potassium.
-- The absolute best source is a hefty serving of white beans.
-- Just one cup holds approximately 829 mg of the mineral.
-- They’re full of fiber, iron, manganese, and other things that help keep the heart healthy.
-- They’re a great way to get plant proteins, too, if you’re vegetarian or vegan.
Don’t leave kidney beans out, though! They hold over 600 mg of potassium in a single cup, and they’re packed with fiber. Other beans you can consider are pinto beans and lima beans, which have impressive potassium content themselves.
8. ORANGE JUICE
You don’t need to drink a whole cup of orange juice to enjoy its benefits. Just take three-quarters of a glass and enjoy 355 mg of potassium. This juice is rich in B vitamins and provides good amounts of folate and calcium, too – so it’s a keeper!
There’s one downside, though – orange juice has lots of sugar in it. You can opt for the citrus fruit itself instead, of course, but they don’t contain nearly as much potassium. They’re good for vitamin C, of course!
9. LEAFY GREENS
Leafy greens are rich in all sorts of vital components for health. The fact that most of them have tons of potassium makes it even better. A cup of boiled bok choy has 600 mg, a cup of cooked spinach has over 800 mg, and the most impressive Swiss chard provides a whopping 1,000 mg of potassium in just one cup of cooked veggie.
Leafy greens are known for their low-calorie content and high levels of nutrients, including minerals and vitamins of all sorts. They have fiber and antioxidants, too, which all make for a strong and healthy body.
10. BEETS
Beets are sweet and delicious, and packed with potassium – 518 mg per cup of the boiled purple veggie, to be precise. They can balance blood pressure and boost heart health, too, and they are known to be great for better exercise performance. They’re a favorite food to eat if you have a potassium deficiency!
Plus, you shouldn’t toss out the green leaves from beets. They may be a little bitter, but even half a cup has loads of potassium: 644 mg of it!