Potassium is an electrolyte mineral that causes an electrical charge in the body. It helps facilitate muscle contractions, it keeps the kidneys working properly and it also promotes heart function. Hyperkalemia is a condition in which potassium levels are too high. Hypokalemia is a condition where your levels are too low. In either case, you need to know what foods are high in potassium.
Fruits
Fruits are loaded with vitamins, they are high in fiber, water content, natural sugar and complex carbs. Examples of fruits that are also high in potassium include raisins, dates, dried figs, bananas, cantaloupe and avocados. Dried apricots are the highest in potassium. Ten medium-size apricots have more than 800mg of potassium.
Vegetables
Vegetables are high in water content, fiber and vitamins, and they are a lot less sweet than fruits. Potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, spinach, winter squash, Brussels sprouts, beet greens and parsnips are all high in potassium.
Juices
Juices that are made from fruits and vegetables maintain their nutritional values, but they lose their fiber. Examples of juices that are high in potassium include carrot juice, tomato juice, prune juice and orange juice.
Fish
Regular fish and shellfish are high in protein, low in carbs and some varieties are high in potassium, such as tuna, clams, halibut and cod. Three ounces of canned clams have 530mg of potassium.
Dairy
Dairy products are high in calcium, protein, vitamin D and they have a moderate amount of carbs. Nonfat milk and low-fat yogurt have the highest amount of potassium. An 8 oz. cup of low-fat yogurt has about 530mg of potassium.
Beans
Beans are classified as legumes that have seeds hidden inside a pod. They are high in protein, fiber, magnesium, iron and potassium. Examples of these include white beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, lima beans, lentils, soy beans and black-eyed peas.
Sweetener
Molasses is a sweetener that is produced from cane sugar. It is high in calories, but it's also high in potassium. One tablespoon of blackstrap molasses has almost 500mg of potassium.
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