“No more tomatoes, potatoes or bananas in any form for the rest of your life!”

That’s the strict order from my gastroenterologist, as he shares the blood test results that show my potassium levels are way too high.

Tomatoes and potatoes, both high in potassium, are the main part of my diet, as I think about how I will miss BLTs, spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, pizza, Robin’s mashed potatoes, Joyce’s potato salad, Wendy’s French fries and everything Italian.

Also to be limited are red meats, fish and shellfish (except shrimp).

Meals that include shrimp, chicken and pork are low in potassium and ironically are the main staples of Chinese menus, so I’ll be going through the menu at Lemongrass and treating myself to baked stuffed shrimp at Twin Oaks.

An apple a day heads the list of fruits and vegetables that are low in potassium. Add most berries and green vegetables, except for broccoli. I can live with never consuming a sprig of broccoli or a Brussels sprout. Diets are tough, and I empathize with people who are restricted in what they can and cannot eat.

The secret is finding what is good for you and exploring ways to prepare it.

Eating out is the challenge.

So many foods come with a side of French fries, home fries, baked or mashed potato. Rice and coleslaw become the alternatives.

As we become older, we tend to eat less, making it possible to eat smaller portions of certain foods high in potassium, such as red meat, fish and peanut butter.

Most restaurants will serve you twice as much as recommended, so cut the portion in half, and take the other half home for another day.

Restricted diets are a challenge, even more so if you are eating your meals in an assisted living facility, but one which can be adjusted with some innovative choices.

I still miss my potatoes!