How low potassium is too low?? Atomic?

[NeedAGirl!]

Atomic, I appreciate your sense of safety in swaying. The RDA for potassium is 4700. My sway goal was set at 3500 daily. However, I currently have been averaging around 1000 with somedays slightly more, other days slightly less. Do I need to increase my potassium intake? If so, with what foods would be best?

[Out of the Blue]

Hey, NeedAGirl! I had the same problem w/my sway last time around. It can be hard to get enough potassium when you're sticking to the diet. I think no less than 3500 is exactly where you want to be and even if you go over this amount, it's not as detrimental to your sway as something like protein (IMHO). I started drinking coconut water to get my potassium higher. Also, you could include bananas here and there and spaghetti squash. I think the spaghetti squash is a great idea for pink swayers since it is low in cals and fills you up and if you need a little extra potassium, it will help you. After I cook it, I use it just like I would use spaghetti.

Hope this helps! Good :luck: on your sway :cheer:

[Indira]

:oops:I´ve been meaning to ask for months..we don´t have spaghetti squash in my country, what is it??
A vegetable sliced up as spaghetti?

[NeedAGirl!]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_squash

[purplepoet20]

I love spaghetti squash with some sodium free broth and a handful of other veggies... Taste like top raman but so healthy.

[Indira]

thank you :)

[Out of the Blue]

Bumping this for you, NeedAGirl, since I know you wanted Atomic's input specifically...She may have more to say on this.

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes, you need to increase potassium intake IMMEDIATELY. YOu need to be at 2500-3500 mg of potassium a day without exception. Too low of potassium intake can be very dangerous (as in, suddenly drop dead, kind of dangerous.)

I know IG has put the fear of bananas and potatoes into everyone, but they are both great sources of potassium. There are no magic foods http://genderdreaming.com/forum/showthread.php?466-The-myth-of-the-magic-foods and bananas and potatoes can be a part of a swaying diet for anyone having trouble getting enough potassium. A banana has about 250 mg of potassium, and a potato has 600-900 mg depending on size and variety.

One great source of potassium that I really love for both pink and blue swayers is coconut water. It has a huge amount of potassium (600 mg) for only 75 calories. I like the Taste Nirvana brand.

Also, do be aware that by law, potassium content does not need to be listed on food labels and yet it is in just about everything. So it may very well be the case that you are getting more than you think you are.

[atomic sagebrush]

Bumping this for you, NeedAGirl, since I know you wanted Atomic's input specifically...She may have more to say on this.

Thanks for the bump OotB!!!