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For many Type 2 diabetics who are looking to manage their blood sugar and control their body weight, carbohydrates are the primary focus. And, there is nothing wrong with that. Carbs should be tightly regulated in those who suffer from this condition. But, it should not be all you are looking at. The truth is, you also need to consider the other macronutrients in your diet as well. These include the vitamins and minerals your food supplies. One particular mineral of importance is potassium.
What makes potassium so important? Why do you need it in your diet plan? Potassium is not only crucial for supporting healthy muscle contractions, which will make your time in the gym more efficient, but it is also a great way to help promote better heart health. Potassium works in conjunction with sodium to maintain blood pressure, which then influences how healthy your heart happens to be.
Eat the right potassium-rich foods, and you can ensure your blood pressure is in check. So which foods should you focus on? Which is going to deliver you the best “bang for your buck” so to speak? Let us look at the best potassium-rich foods to have in your diet…
Bananas. Bananas are the first food on the list. The banana is especially great around the workout period because it contains an ideal blend of starch and simple sugars. You will not take in too much dietary fiber with this fruit, which is good news as fiber can cause you to have a bit of digestive upset before intense exercise.
Serve the banana with a little nut butter if desired or mix it into a protein smoothie.
Sweet Potatoes. Potatoes are an excellent source of potassium: unfortunately, regular potatoes rank high on the GI scale so are not ideal for Type 2 diabetics and the control of their blood sugar. Instead, try sweet potatoes.
Sweet potatoes contain more dietary fiber and rank lower on the GI scale despite having a sweet taste. Prepare them with a little oil or even butter, and you will absorb more of the nutrition from the potato.
Beans. Beans are another delicious food that will help boost your potassium intake. While most would consider beans a primary carbohydrate source, they also come packed with a healthy dose of protein, making them great for those who are not big meat eaters.
Serve beans a few nights a week and this can improve your bodyweight as well as promoting better heart health.
Tomatoes. Tomatoes are another food to help take your potassium level up a notch. Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, which is excellent for combating certain varieties of cancer such as prostate cancer. Tomatoes are also low in calories, so ideal for those looking to lose weight.
There you have some points regarding which foods to include in your diet plan to boost your potassium intake. Potassium plays many essential roles in the body so make sure you are not overlooking it.
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