For many type 2 diabetics looking to control their blood sugar and body weight, carbohydrates are a priority. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Carbohydrates should be tightly regulated in patients suffering from this condition. But it shouldn’t be all you see. The truth is, you need to consider the other macronutrients in your diet as well. This includes the vitamins and minerals that your food provides. A particularly important mineral is potassium.
What makes potassium so important? Why do you need it in your nutrition plan? Not only is potassium crucial for supporting healthy muscle contractions that make your time in the gym more efficient, but it’s also a great way to promote better heart health. Potassium works in conjunction with sodium to maintain blood pressure, which then affects how healthy your heart is.
Eat the right foods rich in potassium, and you can make sure your blood pressure is under control. So which foods should you focus on? Which one will give you the best bang for your buck, so to speak? Let’s take a look at the top high-potassium foods to have in your diet…
bananas. Bananas are the first food on the list. The banana is especially great during workout time as it contains an ideal blend of starches and simple sugars. You won’t get too much fiber from this fruit, which is good news as fiber can give you mild indigestion before intense exercise.
Serve the banana with some nut butter, if desired, or blend it into a protein smoothie.
sweet potatoes. Potatoes are an excellent source of potassium: Unfortunately, regular potatoes rank high on the GI scale, making them not ideal for type 2 diabetics and controlling their blood sugar. Try sweet potatoes instead.
Sweet potatoes contain more fiber and rank lower on the GI scale despite their sweet taste. Prepare them with a little oil or even butter and you will absorb more nutrients from the potato.
beans. Beans are another delicious food that will help boost your potassium intake. While most would consider beans a primary source of carbohydrates, they’re also packed with a healthy dose of protein, making them great for those who aren’t big meat eaters.
Serve beans a few nights a week and this can improve your body weight and promote better heart health.
Tomatoes. Tomatoes are another food that helps boost your potassium levels up a notch. Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, which is great for fighting certain types of cancer, like prostate cancer. Tomatoes are also low in calories, so ideal for those looking to lose weight.
There you have some points regarding the foods to include in your eating plan to increase your potassium intake. Potassium plays many important roles in the body, so make sure you don’t overlook it.
Thanks to Beverleigh H Piepers
