The Alkaline Diet, alternately called the pH Miracle Diet, or Young Diet, named after its creator Robert Young, is purported by the author to restore pH balance in your body. Your blood is slightly alkaline, or basic, with a normal pH level falling between 7.35 and 7.45. The Alkaline Diet says that our dietary choices should have similar pH to the body's natural level. Promoters of alkaline diets say that eating primarily acid-producing foods causes greater loss of important minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium, which in turn fosters illness.
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Vegetables
Nearly all vegetables are included in an alkaline diet, and a number of them are harvested in autumn. Seasonal vegetables to enjoy on the Alkaline Diet include artichokes, broccoli, butternut squash, cauliflower, celery and pumpkin. Several alkaline greens are mature in the fall months, including kohlrabi, kale and watercress. Alkaline root vegetables are also abundant in the fall. Choices to consider include garlic, leeks, onions, turnips, beets, carrots, celeriac and parsnips.
Grains, Seeds and Nuts
Generally, foods in this category are considered more alkaline as well as more digestible if they are sprouted before they are consumed. Acceptable grains on an alkaline include millet, buckwheat, spelt, quinoa and amaranth, but grains are typically not harvested in the fall. Chestnuts and hazelnuts are good choices, and almonds, which are harvested very early in the fall, are more digestible if they are soaked before eating. Seeds offer a nutritious alkaline snack and include sprouted pumpkin and sunflower seeds, flax, caraway, sesame and cumin.
Fruits
According to Dr. Young, the only acceptable alkaline fruits are lemons, limes and grapefruits. Sources such as Mayo Clinic include a few others, but no seasonal fruits are listed. However, dried fruits, which are available year-round such as raisins, dried apricots and dried figs are alkaline.
The Mayo Clinic Diet Manual and Nutrition Almanac list several fall fruits including cranberries, plums and prunes as being especially acid-forming, so they should be avoided on this diet.
Legumes
The category of legumes contains both alkaline as well as acidic choices, so enjoy the acceptable foods in this protein-rich category. Soy products, such as edamame, soy flour, soy nuts and tofu are all alkaline foods. Lentils, lima beans, and white navy beans are the beans to include in a rich pot of autumn chili. Black beans, chickpeas and kidney beans are slightly acidic and should only be eaten in moderation.
Fall Meals
Using seasonal alkaline foods provides a range of meal choices. Try roasting root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips and beets, or create a soup featuring winter vegetables. Create a bean-based chili, and serve it with fluffy quinoa or bread baked with spelt flour. A vegetable stir-fry featuring broccoli, carrots, garlic, tofu, onions and butternut squash cubes can be sprinkled with almonds for crunch and served with one of the acceptable alkaline grains instead of rice.
References
- Paleo Diet: Acid-Base Balance
- "Mayo Clinic Diet Manual: A Handbook of Nutrition Practice"; Jennifer K. Nelson, Karen E. Moxness, Clifford F. Gastineau, Michael D. Jenson; 1994
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, James F. Balch, M.D.; 2006
- EBook: Nutrition Almanac
- "The Ultimate pH Solution"; Michelle Schoffro Cook, DNM, DAc; 2008
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