Today there are countless diets which people turn to in order to lose weight and to become fit. Some of these diets are healthy and carefully researched, but others subsist on rumor, suggesting that by only eating a certain food you can lose weight quickly. Countless people have made drastic changes to their lifestyles in order to adhere to the latest fad diet. The truth is, no magical diet exists - every person's body is different so no one diet is going to work for everyone. One of the most popular diets today is the low calorie diet, a diet which involves calorie restriction in order to lose weight and to increase health. Because the number of calories is restricted, however, individuals who use a low calorie diet often miss out on essential vitamins and minerals unless they are very careful. By not receiving enough of these vitamins and minerals, individuals may experience some serious side effects and may even put themselves in serious danger.

One of the risks associated with a low calorie diet is that participants in this diet may not eat enough potassium rich foods. Potassium is a very important mineral and it is linked to the proper functioning of the brain and heart and it is instrumental in regulating fluid levels and blood pressure. If being on a low calorie diet interferes with an individual's reaching the adequate daily dosage of potassium, he or she may experience muscle cramps, fatigue, an irregular heartbeat, even heart problems. By eating foods rich in potassium, it is easy to reach the recommended daily dosage of 2,000mg to 3,000mg of potassium per day. If you are considering going on a low calorie diet, be responsible and do some research to find out what kinds of foods you need to include in your diet to remain properly nourished. By eating fruits like bananas, strawberries, and melons and by consuming vegetables like spinach, potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots you can easily reach your recommended daily dosage of potassium. Many potassium rich foods are low in calories so they may fit well with a low calorie diet, but it is best to consult a physician if you want to make such a drastic change to your diet. You do not need to put your health at risk in order to stick to a diet and lose weight - talk to your doctor before engaging in any strict diet plan to be sure that doing so will not have an adverse effect on your health and well-being.