Any suggestions on getting more potassium?

[xmarycontraryx 234]

Hi Sleevers!!!

I was sleeved 12/2 and am still in the liquid phase of my diet. I move into mushy foods next week including bananas and soft veggies.

While in the hospital, I was potassium deficient and was given a supplement. I've checked out the Vitamins at drug stores and they only provide 3% of your daily allowance. Any ideas on increasing my potassium intake?

I was thinking of getting creative with my Protein Shakes by adding yogurt, berries and spinach and then having a banana as a snack.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!

[RickM 1,747]

3% of RDA is the legal limit for OTC potassium supplements here in the US; any more needs a prescription, so this is a tough one for those who are deficient. It's difficult to get much in with our limited solid intake that we have post-op, and most of the best sources tend to be fairly caloric - bananas, avocados, potatoes (they're about the best real food source on a per-calorie basis) oranges and tangerines (and their juices) are amongst the best. The best source that I have found is the low-sodium version of V8 juice, at about 25% of RDA per 11 oz can (and 70 calories.) I guess that it's hard to OD on V8 juice to any toxic effect, so the FDA rules for supplements don't apply to such a food product.

If you were deficient in the hospital, then you may have to take prescription supplements for a while (or longer) until you can get enough in through diet. My wife, who tends to be deficient, uses a prescription liquid supplement, which is notionally orange flavored, mixed with some tangerine juice for her normal supplement and adjusts the dosing periodically depending upon her labs.