Trying something new!!

In my Nutrition class I have learned so many new and interesting things. I am really enjoying this class, even though doing the assignments can be a little stressful, learning how to better improve my habits is awesome! This week my fellow bloggers, I am putting you to the challenge that I was put to. So far my experience with it has been only good results, as expected. Did you know that the average American consumes eats about 4700 mg of sodium a day when we are ONLY RECOMMENDED  to have 2300 mg to survive! It's sad how much we rely on salt to flavor things, or add that extra zing we all crave. If you never ever salt your food, well first of all good for you, second of all how boring, and third of all you are only getting 500 mg of sodium which is NOT ENOUGH to survive. Thanks to being an American, everything is processed and the options of fast foods are limitless. In order to maintain a healthy pH level in your blood we have to have an equilibrium of vitamins, minerals, and of course water. Sodium pulls out the water from our bodies and therefore we become tired and lose our energy faster, our cells are basically suffocating because the average person is not drinking enough water and does not consume enough potassium in our diets. If you don't maintain an equilibrium of these things, your body will eventually erode for example kidney failure or heart failure. Do yourselves a favor and don't be that way. Our cells need potassium for balance, if you increase your intake of this, then I promise you, you will feel better. Also, if you drink more water, (women 11 cups a day and men 15 cups a day) your body will cleanse itself. Here is a "Hollywood Trick", just drink the recommend amount of water, this will preven the puffy look you feel. But BE CAREFUL, you need to be sure to balance this with other items.This will maintain osmosis for all of your cells. Don't over drink water, when your cells receive too much water, they "drown" and you can die from it. When you are in the "munchies" mood, try drinking a fresh cold glass of water, you body is just thirsty when you are feeling this way.
When I was asked what foods had potassium in them, the first, and most common one, that came to mind was bananas. But my friends there are many many options. We need to consume around 4700 mg of potassium a day. Wow that is a lot, but this is how we balance out the extra sodium we eat, most of it being unaware of it. Here are some things you should try and add into your diet for more potassium...
-bananas
-squash
-potatoes
-yogurt
-apricots
-citrus fruit
-pistachios
-almonds
-raw tomatoes
-carrots
-broccoli
-dried apricots, raisins...
-sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
-beans
-watermelon, cantaloupe
So many of these things you can combine and make tasty snacks or sides for meals, try steaming your broccoli and carrots for more flavor. You can still have fun and be healthy and not go too far. At the same time drink the recommended amount of water, if you are athletic, you obviously need to drink more. You will have to pee a lot more than you expect, but it will make you feel better!I love you all, this is just one step to making a better healthier you!

FIGURE 8-12

Food sources of potassium compared to the Adequate Intake