Best Plan for a Low Potassium Diet
Posted by Free Online Diet Plans - 18/11/08 at 06:11 am
Best plan for a Low Potassium Diet
Potassium is an electrolyte in our body. It is an essential mineral because it supplies electricity through out our body which aids in the smooth functioning of our systems. It also allows our muscles to contract without pain and is the major vehicle for sending nerve impulses. A good start to a healthy diet.
However, too much potassium intake can lead to a condition called hyperkalemia. This exceeds the body’s ability to discharge and eliminate potassium. Its symptoms may include tingling sensations on the hands and feet, muscular weakness and paralysis. All of these can lead to cardiac arrest if left untreated.
Because of this, a low potassium diet plan should be immediately adhered to. Normally, potassium allowance is 4grams per day. But for low potassium diet plans, only 2 to 3 grams of potassium is taken in.
Since a lot of foods contain potassium, it is important to take controlled portions or servings of these foods. The vital foods that contain large amount of potassium are milk, nuts, meat, fruits and vegetables. Reducing intake of these is essential to the low potassium diet plan.
Several limitations must also be observed. These include avoiding using salt substitutes which use potassium as replacement for sodium. Spices and seasoning mixes also contain so much potassium and must be avoided. Ideally, fruits and vegetables must be limited to 4.5 cups a day and all kinds of milk to half a cup each day.
Although the said restricted foods are important in some diets, a low potassium diet plan is a special one because this limits the intake of the more essential foods as those listed above.