Adjusting your diet: Potassium
Potassium is an important mineral that your body requires for proper functioning. You will normally receive the recommended daily amount in your diet; however, if you are taking diuretics for your heart failure, your body may lose some of this potassium. You may be prescribed a type of diuretic or adjust your other medication to prevent this from happening. You may be advised to supplement your diet with foods rich in potassium.
The following foods provide good sources of potassium:
- bananas
- oranges
- prunes
- soybeans
- cantaloupe melon
- fish such as halibut or flounder
- potatoes.
Eating salty foods will increase the amount of sodium in your body and as a result, your body may lose potassium. It is important, therefore, to reduce your salt intake.
