The concept behind the pH diet is that the human body is slightly alkaline. According to Wellness.com and advocates of the diet, in order to maintain an alkaline state individuals should consume a diet that is approximately 70 percent to 75 percent alkaline and only 20 percent to 25 percent acidic. Doing so is believed to help to prevent or slow the development of degenerative or chronic diseases and will slow the growth of bacteria, fungi, and yeast that can leave acidic toxins in your bloodstream.
pH Diet Fruits
Most fresh fruits are slightly or very acidic and should be consumed in moderation. The only fresh fruit considered alkaline in nature is the banana.
Slightly acidic fruits include golden delicious apples, grapes, plums, peaches, melons, large sweet blueberries, clementines, lemons and mangos. Fruits that have a higher acid content include nectarines, black currants, mulberries, oranges and grapefruit, says the Heart Spring website.
pH Diet Vegetables
The pH diet leans toward vegetarianism because most meats are acidic, while most vegetables are alkaline. Incorporate as many alkaline vegetables into your diet as possible while consuming slightly or very acidic vegetables in moderation.
Vegetables such as potatoes, salad greens, green and red cabbage, celery, fennel, artichokes, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, peppers, garlic, zucchini and squash are alkaline. Carrots, endives, artichokes, cauliflower, turnips, radishes, onions, avocados and tomatoes are considered slightly acidic. Vegetables with the highest acid content include sour pickles and eggplant.
pH Diet Grains
Corn and buckwheat are among the only alkaline grains. Wheat, rye, barley, brown rice and whole grain breads and pasta are considered only slightly acidic. Foods that are slightly acidic should be soaked in water before cooking. They should also be chewed carefully so that they can mix with enough alkaline saliva to start the digestive process.
pH Diet Meats
All meat and fish products are acidic. White meat chicken, lean fish and oysters are only slightly acidic. Red meat, fatty fish, and shell fish are all very acidic. Your pH diet should include very little meat.
pH Diet Dairy
Alkaline dairy products include fresh butter, fresh whey, fresh buttermilk, soft unripened cheeses that have been well drained and raw whole milk. Dairy products that are only slightly acidic include pasteurized milk, hard cheeses such as Swiss and provolone, whole eggs and soft cheeses such as Brie. Ultrapasteurized milks, chocolate milk, heated butters, high-fat cheeses, sweetened yogurts and aged whey or buttermilk products are all very acidic and should be avoided.
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