Vegetables

Bananas are a great source of potassium, and that’s a good thing because almost every body part needs it. Potassium is essential for heart and kidney function, and it plays a role in muscle and nerve function. It’s also necessary for basic cell function. Bananas aren’t the only food that contains potassium, though. Lots of other foods are good sources of this essential mineral – potatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and squash are all good sources of potassium.

Here are 9 foods that pack a potent potassium punch:

  1. Spinach – One cup of cooked spinach contains more than double the potassium of a banana.
  2. White beans – A cup of cooked white beans provides nearly as much potassium as a banana.
  3. Sweet potatoes – A large sweet potato contains almost as much potassium as a banana.
  4. Avocados – A medium avocado has about 40% more potassium than a banana.
  5. Salmon – A three-ounce serving of cooked salmon has nearly 50% more potassium than a banana.
  6. Quinoa – A cup of cooked quinoa has almost twice as much potassium as a banana.
  7. Yogurt – A cup of plain yogurt contains more than three times the potassium of a banana.
  8. Lentils – A cup of cooked lentils has nearly four times the potassium of a banana.
  9. Swiss chard – One cup of cooked Swiss chard contains nearly five times the potassium of a banana.

So if you’re looking to up your potassium intake, there are plenty of options to choose from.