The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 12 million people in the United States have food allergies. Of these 12 million people, 30,000 will pay a visit to the emergency room and 150 to 200 deaths will occur annually. Those with food allergies can still engage in high alkaline diets. With a wide-variety of high alkaline foods, even those with numerous food allergies can reap the benefits of alkaline dieting.
Alkaline Defined
Alkalinity is based on a pH or the potential hydrogen scale. Substances with a pH higher than 7.0 are considered alkaline. The pH scale does not exceed a level of 14.0 in alkalinity. Substances with a pH of lower than 7.0 are called acidic. Substances become more on the acidic side as they become closer to 1.0 on the scale.The potential hydrogen scale measures the amount of hydrogen located your body. According to Peter Shepherd, psychologist focusing on nutrition and eating habits and author of "Transforming the Mind," your body should have a pH of approximately 7.35 to 7.45.
Alkaline Foods
When an individual eats alkaline-rich foods, pH levels are elevated. You should eat a consistent diet that is 60 percent alkaline foods and 40 percent acidic. Reducing acidic foods raises alkaline levels. According to Shepherd, raw vegetables and fruits are alkaline-rich. Alkaline-rich vegetables include asparagus, peas, lettuce, garlic, broccoli, onions, spinach, beets and green beans. Alkaline fruits include grapes, grapefruit, lemons, limes, mango, kiwi, watermelons, papayas, pineapple and blueberries.
Allergy Concerns
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, the most common food allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, almonds, cashews, walnuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. Of these most common food allergens, nuts and fish are alkaline foods. With a wide variety of alkaline foods, especially among fruits and vegetables, those with food allergies can still choose from a plethora of alkaline foods without posing risks to their health. Contact a physician or nutritionist if you are unsure of the alkaline foods you can eat and those you should avoid.
Calories
Diet alone cannot yield weight loss results. You must burn off more calories than you consume in order to lose weight, according to Shepherd. Alkaline foods are low in calories and good for your health and diet. Your body needs calories for day-to-day functions; however, your body also requires that you burn off the extra calories to result in weight loss.
Warnings
An alkaline-rich diet should not exceed the recommended pH levels. Shepherd says if an alkaline diet exceeds the recommended pH level potential problems can occur. Exceeding the recommended pH levels can lead to a potentially dangerous health condition known as alkalosis. Alkalosis happens when the body's pH level reaches an exceedingly high level. This condition most frequently occurs when pH levels remain elevated for an extended period of time. Alkalosis may include hand tremors, confusion, dizziness, muscles spasms, nausea, vomiting, extremity numbness and twitches in your muscles.
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