Article: HEALTHY EATING; Diagnose your diet; Preventing leg cramps

Joan Endyke

Aside from a medical condition, the most likely culprits for night leg or foot cramps are poor diet or inadequate fluid. Electrolytes - calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium - are minerals that carry electrical charges to muscles to help them contract and relax. Insufficient amounts of these nutrients in the diet can lead to muscle weakness and cramps. To beef up potassium choose fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, avocados, cantaloupe, nectarines, and apricots. Milk, yogurt, fortified soy milk, calcium-enriched orange juice, cheese, broccoli and almonds are good sources of calcium. Magnesium occurs in small amounts in many ...

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