Many Americans do not achieve optimal levels of dietary potassium. Here are my top strategies for boosting your intake of this critical nutrient.

• Include beans in your diet each day.
• Consume plain non-fat or low-fat yogurt in your diet each day.
• Use tomato sauce or paste (low sodium) regularly in your recipes and dishes.
• Snack on nuts and seeds regularly (especially almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds).
• Include dark leafy greens in your diet each day (cooked or raw).
• Enjoy potassium-rich fruits, especially cantaloupe, peaches, pears, oranges, kiwi, apricots, and prunes.
• Include fish (not fried!) in your diet regularly.
• Eat more avocados. I strive to eat some avocado each day. ¼ to ½ is a prudent portion.
• Use black strap molasses as your sweetener of choice.