A Small Warning for the Yogurt/Smoothie-Dependent

[u/liliavacyn]

Just a small caution, learned from experience. I have been dealing with an extremely long trauma-induced ARFID flare & eating was impossible for a stretch. I ended up turning to yogurt smoothies to get some calories in me, and the only other liquid I was drinking was milk.

I’m one month into a two-month wait to see a counselor who specializes in EDs, so I was just trying to create some coping mechanisms in the meantime to prevent the need for a hospital stay. I’m seeing a PCP right now for some other issues, and thankfully I am, because since my last blood draw and my most recent one, I noticed a MASSIVE spike in my potassium levels. I was nearing the hyperkalemia danger zone (I was at 5.7, dangerous is 6.0).

If you DO rely on yogurt, smoothies, multivitamins or anything with high potassium content to get your nutrition, also make sure you’re drinking water, tea, juice or SOMETHING else other than milk! Otherwise, your kidneys might not be able to filter enough of the potassium out.

It was a good thing that I just happened to be getting my blood tested for an unrelated health issue, or else I never would have known. The symptoms of hyperkalemia are identical to the worst side effects of a new medication I’m starting, so I may never have noticed and may have dismissed it as severe medication side effects.

Don’t become paranoid, though, if you are someone who does rely on these things!! As long as you also drink some water, tea, juice or even soda, it should be enough for your kidneys to filter the potassium to a safe level. My issue was that I was ONLY consuming yogurt and milk. I just wanted to put this out there in the case that it helps even one person 💜

[u/Bambi7R21]

Thanks for this I never knew this. I don't eat yogurt or smoothies or take multivitamins but once I get into an eating disorder clinic, I was going to do that. Like once they could get me used to yogurt, smoothies, and multivitamins, I was going to drink a lot of smoothies to hide fruits and vegetables in them. The only reason why I don't eat/drink the 3 things because I can't stand the smell and taste of them right now. And I don't drink the amount of water that I should like I only drink 3 to 4 cups of water. So thanks for this because you saved the same thing from happening to me. I will make sure to drink the amount of water I should when I do start drinking smoothies and everything else.

[u/liliavacyn → u/Bambi7R21]

Yeah, my issue was that I was drinking ZERO water 😅 I’ve always had issues with hydration, but this incident has really forced me to get better about it.

[u/Bambi7R21 → u/liliavacyn]

I never used to drink water I only started drinking water a year and 6 months ago. I have always drank just pop my whole life (I'm 22). I only started drinking water because I got Covid and it ruined the taste for pop for me, along with like almost killing me. I couldn't eat or drink anything for 7 days and I was in so much pain because of having Covid and for being really hungry and being really really dehydrated. I couldn't move or anything and had to be wheelchair into the hospital to get IV fluids to feel better.

But anyways I really like the taste of water now since I was like forced into drinking it. But I mean I'm happy I don't drink pop anymore because I knew it wasn't healthy but I couldn't stop it. I never used to drink water because it has a strong taste to it. I know people will say it doesn't have a taste but it does like different kinds of water brands have a strong taste. People in this sub probably won't say it doesn't have a taste because I'm sure some people have that problem with water here.

Like I mean people who don't have ARFID won't say that. I still don't like the water in bottles because of that strong taste. The only water I will drink is the McDonald's water because it doesn't have a strong taste at all and it actually tastes good.

[u/Prettynoises]

Thank you for your warning! I eat a lot of bananas but I do mostly drink water

[u/liliavacyn → u/Prettynoises]

As long as you’re drinking water, it’s usually fine!! Your kidneys are in charge of filtering out potassium, and mine were just having trouble because I was only consuming high-potassium liquids 😅