Potassium↔Sodium Ratio Tracker for better daily balance
Track potassium to sodium ratio
Potassium↔sodium ratio tracker: how to log, read the meter, and nudge meals
Potassium↔Sodium Ratio Tracker helps you turn nutrition labels and simple food entries into a single, easy-to-read number: your K:Na for the day. The ratio compares total potassium to total sodium. Many public health resources encourage raising potassium-rich foods while moderating sodium from packaged items and restaurant meals. This page keeps that theme practical by letting you add items by meal, convert percent Daily Values to milligrams, and view a lightweight weekly trend.
How to enter items fast. Most labels list sodium directly; potassium appears on many labels as well. If a label only shows %DV, use the converter: 100% DV equals 2300 mg for sodium and 4700 mg for potassium. Enter servings you actually eat, not the label’s default serving. The log calculates each item’s contribution and updates totals and your K:Na ratio automatically.
Reading the K:Na meter. A K:Na near or above 1.2 is a friendly direction for many people, and higher values often reflect more fruit, vegetables, legumes, and potatoes. The meter scales up to 2.0. Below 0.8 the bar turns red to prompt a course-correct; 0.8–1.19 is amber, and ≥1.2 is green. If your sodium total is very small early in the day the ratio may swing; it usually stabilizes after a few meals.
Meal-level nudges. The per-meal table highlights where your day skews. A dinner with high sodium and low potassium might benefit from a side of beans, roasted potatoes, or a leafy green. Snacks are a chance to add potassium without much sodium—think fruit cups, yogurt with banana, or a handful of no-salt-added nuts.
Weekly trend. Use “Save today to week” after dinner to capture the day’s totals. You’ll see up to seven most recent days with sodium, potassium, and K:Na. Watch for gentle improvements rather than perfection. If a day sits far below your target, skim the items and look for one high-sodium entry you can swap next time.
Context and care. Medical needs vary. People with kidney, heart, or blood pressure conditions may have unit-specific targets or potassium restrictions. This tracker is educational and not medical advice. If you have a prescribed plan, follow it and bring questions to your clinician or dietitian.
References: FDA Daily Values overview · AHA: Sodium basics
Potassium↔sodium ratio tracker FAQs
What is a good K:Na ratio target?
Higher is generally better within your medical plan. Many people aim for ≥1.0–1.5. Use foods you enjoy to raise potassium while moderating sodium.
Do I need exact lab accuracy?
No—labels vary and whole foods are approximate. The ratio is a compass, not a lab test. Look for patterns over a week.
What if my label is missing potassium?
Leave potassium blank and the tracker will still log sodium. Add obvious high-potassium foods elsewhere in your day to improve balance.
Can this replace clinical advice?
No. This page is for education only. Always follow guidance from your clinician, especially with kidney, heart, or blood pressure conditions.