Big problem

[tammyconatser10]

ive just started the induction and i know your not suppose to have fruit, but my doctor wants me to eat 4 to 6 bananas a week for potasium because of my meds. i asked him aboutpills but he just said bananas were better

[liv]

Re: Big problem

There are many other food sources for potassium. Avocado is a good one. I think there is more potassium in half an avocado than there is in one banana. Sardines are good too - so is spinach. Just do a search and find Atkins legal stuff and you should be good.

[Debi2007]

Re: Big problem

Spinach is also a great source of potassium. I looked it up and 1 cup of banana has 594 mg of potassium and 1 cup of cooked spinach has 839 mg of potassium. Swiss chard is also a really good source, and I think even higher than spinach.

[Elizellen]

Re: Big problem

I agree with liv, try an avocado or spinach etc - it is funny that bananas are always the ones people mention as having potassium but they are not the only option or even the best as they contain lots of sugar too!

One medium banana contains 25 net carbs and very little else (only 3 grams fibre and one gram each of fat & protein) so is the equivalent of eating 6 teaspoons of plain sugar !!!

According to fitday.com it contains 467 milligrams of potassium, about the same as half a cup of cooked spinach, about 4 ounces of canned sardines, half a black-skinned (Florida) avocado or a quarter of a green-skinned (California) avocado, so you can easily get the same potassium from any of those more Atkins-friendly options.

I thnk the only reason it is often recommended is that it is the one food that most people love and doctors feel you would be likely to follow the advice to eat them more readily than if they said eat more sardines or 1/2 cup of cooked spinach

[Zarabelle]

Re: Big problem

I think you've got some great advice there - avoid the bananas and eat spinach/avocados etc. instead. This way, you get your potassium without ruining your diet and you and your doctor should be happy. x

[Lisa]

Re: Big problem

I take a potassium supplement and it works pretty good, especially when lack in the dark veggie department.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Big problem

Bananas are close to #20 on the list of foods with the most potassium. Red bell peppers have more potassium than a banana and more vitamin C than an orange.


I used to have to take prescription potassium because of life-long low potassium problems. Since starting Atkins three years ago, I no longer have to take potassium supplements and have not tested low in all that time.


Doctors seldom know much about nutrition. They just repeat what they have heard all their life. If the medication you are taking is a fluid pill (diuretic), you might have to go off after you have been on Atkins for a while. Atkins is a natural diuretic.

Incidentally, all meats, poultry and fish are high in potassium. If you follow Atkins closely, eating spinach, asparagus, avocado, tomatoes, red bell peppers, all induction-friendly, you won't need to eat bananas to get potassium.


Sunny!

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Big problem

Spinach is also a great source of potassium. I looked it up and 1 cup of banana has 594 mg of potassium and 1 cup of cooked spinach has 839 mg of potassium. Swiss chard is also a really good source, and I think even higher than spinach.

Mmmmmmmm I LOVE Swiss chard. Grew it for the first time last year so I would have enough for fresh in salads and cooked.

[eecardell]

Re: Big problem

Mint tea has more potassium than bananas.

[Desertthorn]

Re: Big problem

LOL, What do doctors know!! Rarely much about nutrition. The advise above is great. Make sure you have lots of green leafy veggies and colorful salads and you will be fine.
There are supplements for potassium, but I wouldn't because they can be toxic. I would take a good multi vitamin though, like Centrum Silver, (No Iron)

[not2late]

Re: Big problem

I agree with Sunny and the others. There are PLENTY of potassium rich foods and many of them are Atkins Induction friendly.

You might also want to look into salt substitutes---they contain potassium chloride rather than sodium chloride and are in the supermarket specifically for people who need to reduce their sodium intake.