Couple of questions-potassium & fiber

[funkychickenchica]

POTASSIUM-I track my food intake through dietpower. My average potassium for the past 7 days (and same with since I started atkins) is 26% of the daily allowance or 1242 mg. I am exercising on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day and drinking a gallon or more of water a day. Should I take a potassium supplement? I am evaluating the nutrients in diet power and trying make sure everything is at 100%.

FIBER-I am pretty picky in my vegetable choices so it has been pretty much green/wax beens, cukes, and lettuces. Due to this I am way below my 25 in fiber. I am trying to put flax seed on my meats before I cook them, but even that I don't get much. Is it safe/ok to take the remaining grams of fiber in fibersure or a similar product? I have been taking 3 tsp of fibersure in my water daily which is 15 grams of fiber. If I am still low, I may use fiberchoice chewable tablets to make sure I am at 25. I just don't want to be over doing it. I am trying to work on trying the other vegetables. I need to make sure I try a new one a week.

Thanks

[biogeek]

Re: Couple of questions-potassium & fiber

Hello Heidi,

Potassium is an important mineral & you are wise to make sure you have enough in your daily menu. Even if you are low in your potassium intake, it is usually best to add additional food items that are high in potassium instead of taking potassium supplements. The main reason is because most potassium supplements irritate & upset the stomach. Also, you would have to take many tablets as the mg limit on each potassium tablet is 99 mg.

I don't know what rung of Atkins you are on, but food items that are high in potassium are nuts (such as sunflower seeds and almonds), most fish (such as cod and halibut), chicken, turkey, spinach, and avocados are a few examples. Dr. Atkins even recommends using a salt substitute that is made with potassium chloride and use it in place of normal table salt for your seasoning.

As far as your fiber intake goes, don't take too much if you've been at low levels. Gradually intake your fiber or you may experience bloatiness, gas, constipation, etc. Ugh! I can understand being picky about veggies as I have a un-natural fear of them, but becoming brave in the veggie isle is in order. You don't have to like everything you try. I certainly don't! It is ok to take Fibersure so long as it doesn't have hidden carbs in it. Check the ingredient label to see. Eventually, you'll want to wean off fibersure & try to get your fiber from food. 3 tsp of fibersure is providing 60% of your fiber allowance & I'm sure it's not a cheap product and food is tastier.

Hope that helps.