We all need to make sure we are getting the right amount of vitamins. Our bodies don’t automatically produce enough vitamins and minerals on their own, so we need to get them from either food or supplements. Do you know what foods contain potassium? Here’s a quick look at foods that have it.

Potassium is sometimes referred to as “Vitamin K”. This could be because the symbol for potassium on the periodic table is K. However, potassium is a mineral, not a vitamin, and vitamin K is not the same thing as potassium. Both are important for the body.

Potassium is something that the body uses in a variety of ways. The mineral helps regulate electrolyte balance in the body. It can also affect heart function, the contraction of muscles, and the stimulation of responses to nerves.

There are many vegetables that have potassium. Sweet Potatoes are one of the best sources of it. One sweet potato has 694 milligrams of potassium. That’s about 15% of the daily recommended amount. One half cup of beet greens contains 655 milligrams of potassium. You can easily incorporate sweet potatoes into your meal plans. Just replace a recipe that includes potatoes with sweet potatoes.

Lima beans are another source of potassium. One cup of Lima beans has 995 milligrams of potassium. A medium potato, with its skin, has about 422 milligrams of potassium. Other vegetables that have potassium include asparagus, mushrooms, pumpkins and avocados. Consider adding some avocado to your nachos or burrito. In fall, it is super easy to find foods that contain pumpkin.

There are some fruits that contain potassium. Banana might be the first one that comes to most people’s minds. Chiquita says that the average Chiquita banana has about 422 milligrams of potassium. This is equal to about 13% of the daily-recommend amount of potassium.

Orange juice contains some potassium. It is also a good source of vitamin C. A half cup of dates contains 584 milligrams of potassium. Another way to get some potassium is to eat raisins. Half a cup of raisins contains 543 milligrams of potassium. Pack a little box of raisins into your lunch as a healthy snack.

You might not realize it, but it is possible to get some potassium from meat. Salmon, cod, and flounder are some of the best choices of potassium from meat. Four ounces of cod broiled with butter gives you about 460 milligrams of potassium. Broiled halibut has around 596 milligrams of potassium. You can also get some potassium from yogurt or cheese.

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