Leigh 's Wholesome Life

View Original

Potassium

I play the love/hate game when it comes to getting test results back.  Are you the same?

 

I love knowing exactly what is happening with my body (especially the why), as it gives me the opportunity to be the true Taurean that I am and run head first into finding a solution.

 

Sometimes, however it’s like opening a can of worms.

 

Needless to say, the list that’s as long as my arm received from my recent visit to my Naturopath of all the vitamins and minerals I’m severely deficient in and the list of all the vitamins, minerals and metals my body is inundated with has left me a little overwhelmed, to say the least.

 

So I’m taking it a step at a time and thought I’d share my finds with you, just in case you too are a little overwhelmed with it all at the moment.

 

So first up to the plate, is da da daaaaa…….Potassium. 

 

An essential nutrient our bodies need to maintain both fluid and electrolyte balance, and a nutrient, it seems, I’m sadly lacking A LOT of!

 

Did you know that a deficiency in potassium can cause fatigue, irritability, and hypertension (high blood pressure)?  Jeez, that explains a lot! 

 

Did you also know that many of us with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis are actually deficient?  We’re not alone people!

 

So my first thought on hearing this was “eat bananas”.  However, if you’re anything like me and want to keep your fructose intake as low as possible (yes, even though they’re natural and a fruit, banana’s still do contain sugar and fructose), I started researching other foods that contain just as much, or potentially even more potassium, without the extra sugar.  And can I tell you, there is a plethora out there people….from legumes, dark leafy greens, potatoes and organic full-fat yoghurt to fresh fish, grass-fed meats, organic poultry and creamy avocados.  And not to mention one of my favourites that’s in season right at this moment…..mushrooms.

 

So the recipe I share with you below is dedicated to Potassium. 

 

A recipe filled to the brim with grass-fed beef, dark leafy greens and yes, mushrooms.

 

A recipe my body (and hopefully yours) with thank you for.

 

Note:  Keep in mind that if you decide to boil these veggies, you can lose up to 50% loss of potassium.  Try steaming instead!