• subignition@fedia.io
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    4 months ago

    I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice!

    If this happens to you, it’s time to check your electrolytes! Cramping can be a sign of low potassium. Most healthy people should be aiming for 2g+ of potassium per day.

    Popularly known food sources of potassium (like banana and avocado) aren’t super great in a pinch. Coconut water, or beverages like Electrolit / Pedialyte, do a better job. For your regular dietary intake, there are lots of foods better than banana and avocado at getting you the potassium you need.

    This post brought to you by the fucking awful leg cramps I used to get when eating a low carb diet.

    • astrsk@fedia.io
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      4 months ago

      My remedy has always been to eat a banana every once in a while and drink a glass of water before bed.

      • SuperIce@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Bananas aren’t that good of a source of potassium considering how much sugar they also contain. A kiwi has more potassium but also a ton of vitamin c, fiber, and enzymes that improve digestion of proteins. If you want a lot of potassium, a medium potato has twice as much potassium as a banana for a similar amount of calories, but from starch instead of sugar.

      • SuperIce@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        They also contain a lot of sugar. Sugar improves water intake for rehydration, but that’s not ideal if you’re drinking it often. I’d recommend Nuun tablets instead, which only have 1 gram of sugar.

    • SuperIce@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Potatoes are underrated sources of potassium. One medium potato has 920mg of potassium for 160 kcal.