View Full Version : High Potassium BP foods?
flemdawg1
02-07-2011, 14:04
I know bananas are good, but are there any trail foods high in potassium. Without added potassium in my diet I tend to get leg/foot cramps often. I've thought of bringing Morton's Lite Salt. Any other suggestions?
Tennessee Viking
02-07-2011, 14:12
Here is something I pulled up:
Almonds, raisins, parsley and brazil nuts have all something in common, they are all potassium rich foods...
WILDERNURSE
02-07-2011, 14:12
Dried cranberries!!! Lots of magnesium as well as potassium. I am a cardiac nurse and without magnesium you can't hold on to potassium. So dried cranberries are like killing two birds with one stone :)
budforester
02-07-2011, 14:18
I'll add dried apricots, milk powder. And here's a previous thread:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=481514&highlight=potassium#post481514
Kneegrinder
02-07-2011, 14:32
Try apricots. About 5 have the potassium equivalent of one banana. Also provide good fiber which you will want on the trail.
Peanuts (low or unsalted) are also good too.
For when you are back in civilization milk has the same potassium content as orange juice.
LoneRidgeRunner
02-07-2011, 14:51
I know bananas are good, but are there any trail foods high in potassium. Without added potassium in my diet I tend to get leg/foot cramps often. I've thought of bringing Morton's Lite Salt. Any other suggestions?
I think you can get dried banana chips? Don't know how tasty they are though
LoneRidgeRunner
02-07-2011, 14:53
Dried cranberries!!! Lots of magnesium as well as potassium. I am a cardiac nurse and without magnesium you can't hold on to potassium. So dried cranberries are like killing two birds with one stone :)
I just learned something by this. I knew cranberries are good for the urinary tract but didn't know they were high in magnesium or potassium good to have a nurse on our site...
Pedaling Fool
02-07-2011, 15:04
I think you can get dried banana chips? Don't know how tasty they are though
Or you can dehydrate your own, as I do.
I also dehydrate my own potatoes and they're suppose to be a better source of potassium than bananas.
Appalachian Tater
02-07-2011, 20:05
If you really have a lot of trouble, take potassium pills on your hike to play it safe. They aren't expensive and you can buy them at any drugstore and probably any large grocery store.
4eyedbuzzard
02-07-2011, 20:19
I think you can get dried banana chips? Don't know how tasty they are though
They are delicious - almost like candy. So is dried pineapple, papaya, mango, etc.
Rocket Jones
02-07-2011, 20:34
I think you can get dried banana chips? Don't know how tasty they are though
Careful though, some so-called "dried" banana chips are actually fried until crispy.
I dry my own on the dehydrator.
budforester
02-07-2011, 20:36
Instant potato flakes!
LoneRidgeRunner
02-07-2011, 20:38
If you really have a lot of trouble, take potassium pills on your hike to play it safe. They aren't expensive and you can buy them at any drugstore and probably any large grocery store.
You should be careful with these though..I had a registered nurse tell me once that unused potassium builds up in your body and too much can shut down your kidneys.. Also , my Dad had too high potassium and was told that just a little more would have resulted in either a heart attack or an irregular heartbeat..Disclaimer..I ain't a doctor...
LoneRidgeRunner
02-07-2011, 20:41
They are delicious - almost like candy. So is dried pineapple, papaya, mango, etc.
Thanks for letting me know that ..I like fresh bananas but was hesitant to but dried bananas ..guess I 'll buy some for myself...
fiddlehead
02-07-2011, 20:57
OK, here's the trick: Take a banana, peel it, stick your finger in the end (seriously) and split the banana. A banana will ALWAYS split into 3 equal pieces.
Take those pieces and dry them about halfway.
In other words, keep them spongy, soft, not crisp.
They will be the sweetest bananas you ever had. (and keep for months)
A lot like candy, and provide you with the potassium you want.
Yeah...on potassium pills do NOT take them unless a Doctor orders it. Not a supplement to mess around with. Eating a rich potassium diet is a great idea though!
Kettle style potato chips are a great source and provide a small amount of sodium that encourages you to drink, hence getting you dehydrated. Apricots as mentioned are also great.
The key though is filling your diet from morning to evening with good choices and staying hydrated. Fruits in the morning, fruits at lunch and maybe veggies, veggies with dinner. Do that and you will feel better!
Also, Trader Joe's sells the bestest banana leather, ie..flattened bananas. Chewy and freaky good.
skinewmexico
02-08-2011, 13:46
Careful though, some so-called "dried" banana chips are actually fried until crispy.
I dry my own on the dehydrator.
And coated with a sugar coating too, aren't they?
Often banana chips are plantains so YMMV and buyer beware.
one banana day keeps my cramps at bay,i wonder if after a day on the trail if i would need more
one banana day keeps my cramps at bay,i wonder if after a day on the trail if i would need more
I found if I split up potassium rich fruits throughout the day no cramps :)