Foods High In Potassium

Someone deficient in potassium may conclude that they should immediately begin consuming more potassium, which of course seems completely logical. However, it’s a bit more complicated than that.

One might suspect they are suffering potassium deficiency, perhaps after reading some hooligan ranting about his or her own health crisis via a blog or health forum. Even with good intent, bad things often result. Thus, one who decides to take it upon them to self-medicate very well may be making their problem worse rather than better. But if you are certain, and have professionally been diagnosed to seek out foods high in potassium, then this is a good place to start.

Potassium rich foods are not difficult to find. On the most elementary note, a food that has significantly more potassium rather than Sodium or Salt concentration, is considered to be Potassium rich. Which may sound obvious, but to many they make it more complicated than necessary.

I could also tell you the absolute fact, that in regard to potassium and finding it in the foods we eat, the highest concentrations can be found in vegetables, especially green, leafy ones. Potatoes with their skin in tact, soy products, millet and grains, beans (or legumes), bananas and fruit all have potassium rich content. But, while pointing you in the direction of those foods might seem like the “cure” for someone who is lacking enough potassium in their body, finding what foods to consume, is only half the solution.

Earlier in this health article, I stated that potassium and sodium work in harmony. One must be present in order to counteract the other. Keeping an ideal balance, if you will. So, what should one eat or avoid, depending on how you might describe you: high or low Potassium?

More foods high in potassium, food serving size compared to potassium content, include: fish and fruit. More specifically: for about the same serving size of 80 to 85 grams, you can find high concentrations of potassium in the flesh of fish. Clams, halibut, tuna, cod, trout and salmon are such foods high in potassium. respectively from most to least: 535 grams of potassium to 320 grams of potassium.

More foods high in potassium are fruit. Bananas of course are most often spoken of, but the truth of the matter is as much as they are talked about, as a

highest potassium food, there are better alternatives. Dried apricots (about 70 grams) for example, are rarely ever mentioned, and yet are as much as or more than double the potassium of a comparative banana serving (120 grams). More than double! But how many "experts" keep telling you to eat bananas? Perhaps, because they are getting their information from wrong, tired sources, rather than digging for the truth of the matter.

In comparison, to the trusted and over-promoted banana, there are even still better choices for potassium rich foods. Dried figs (about 75 grams) can have more than 15% more potassium, cantaloupe is about the same - and can be an alternative with about the same potassium content as a banana, but a smaller portion (70 grams) still beats the banana, boasting more than 20% richer potassium content. Dates, (just over 80 grams), also in smaller portions than the banana in this example, provide about 20% more potassium.

But, there are still more foods high in potassium that top all that has been mentioned. (Again, why is everybody of authority praising the glories of the banana, when there are so many, all natural, more potassium rich content foods, that you never hear about)?

If you are indeed certain and properly confirmed that you are deficient in potassium, what beats the over popular banana by miles? Carrot juice, about 240 grams of it offers about 33% more. Prune juice, same quantity, is about the same. The pinto bean on the other hand, about 170 grams, has about 42% more potassium the the banana.

And although each are foods high in potassium, soybeans, winter squash, spinach still have more than that. In order, the best of foods high in potassium are: the potato, northern beans (white beans to some), and beet greens top the chart, compared to the potassium in a banana, can provide as much as 65% more potassium. Foods high in potassium are easier to find than has been reported, as you can see, and much to your benefit.

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