You asked

Why does my child need potassium, and which foods are the best sources?

Potassium, along with sodium, is one of the essential salts that your body needs to regulate water use and balance. It also helps with muscle function, and is important for maintaining heart rhythm, and avoiding kidney stones. Too little potassium, in conjunction with a high sodium intake has also been linked to high blood pressure.

At ages one to three, your child needs 3,000 milligrams of potassium per day, and by four to eight years old, 3,800 milligrams per day. As with other nutrients, however, experts agree that even if you can’t get your child to eat the required amount every day, you should aim for the ideal as an average over a few days or weeks.

Baked potatoes are a great source of potassium, as are prunes and prune juice, as well as raisins. Tomato and orange juice are two more good choices, and if your child eats beans, then lima or white beans are a good option too. Sunflower seeds, bran cereal, spinach and melons, like cantaloupe and watermelon, are all good choices too. You could also try tomatoes and oranges, which are all great sources of potassium too. 

Your child’s intake will vary, but fortunately, there’s no risk of getting too much – in fact, leading nutritionists have not even set an upper level for potassium intake, so if your child loves potassium rich foods, feel free to offer them!

More questions

Trying to feed a picky eater can make mealtimes even more stressful. While food fussiness is a typical phase that most chldren will through, it doesn’t make it any easier for mums to deal with. However...
Foods on this shelf are the best energy providers for your child's body, so the more active your child is the more he will need.
 
There are many nutrients found in whole-grains which are essential for your child’s health.
Check out these simple steps you can take to make sure that your child gets enough calcium.
Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are some of the best sources of calcium, but it can also be found in less expected sources.
There is a difference between iron that is found in animal sources and plant sources of iron.
Iron is vital in order to ensure good health and development in your child. It is responsible for making haemoglobin, the pigment which carries oxygen to the blood and myoglobin, a pigment that stores oxygen in...
If your child rejects a lot of vegetables, there are lots of ways you can try slipping them into food. 
What exactly is cholesterol and is all cholesterol bad?
There are many factors to consider when deciding if a child is truly underweight

Latest

Trending