It is best to maintain a healthy alkaline/acid balance. When the body is out of balance or too acidic, alkaline foods help the body to regain the pH balance necessary for optimum health. Alkaline foods contain natural sodium, a buffer against acidity. Table salt, which is sodium chloride, cannot alkalize the metabolism, thus making the natural sodium contained in vegetables and whole foods the perfect choice for balance.
Vegetables
Vegetables that are alkaline producing include alfalfa grass, leafy greens such as kale, dandelion greens, Swiss chard, collard greens, endive, and mustard greens. For the simplicity of an alkaline salad, consider varieties of lettuces, spring greens, micro greens, cucumber, tomatoes, radishes, celery, avocado and parsley. Any combination of the salad vegetables can be topped with juice from a fresh-squeezed lemon and a drizzle of olive oil, both of which create an alkaline-producing dressing. For Asian cuisine, some universally recognized alkaline vegetables are seaweed, Bamboo shoots, bok choy cabbage, ginger, carrots, kohlrabi, garlic and okra. Alkaline side dish vegetables that compliment many meals include Brussels sprouts, eggplant, zucchini, potato, string beans, squash and cauliflower.
Whole Grains and Legumes
Soy beans and the products from soy such as soy lecithin, nuts, flour, tempeh, miso, cheese, milk, milk powder, tofu and granulated soy, which is cooked ground soybeans, are alkalizing. Edamame makes a great fresh or roasted snack. Since navy beans and lima beans are alkalizing, they create nice side dishes as well as protein sources in vegetable broth soups. Lentils, wild rice, quinoa and wheat bran are key ingredients in hearty dishes. For alkalizing flours used to create many baked dishes, amaranth and millet are good selections.
Oils, Nuts and Seeds
Alkaline oils such as evening primrose, borage, olive and flax seed oils, call for proper storage consideration so that they do not turn rancid and acidic. Nuts such as almonds and Brazil nuts offer versatility to many alkaline dishes. From the seed category, select from caraway, fennel, cumin, sesame seeds, flax, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Foods high in alkaline ash such as those from vegetarian diets, according to The American Dietetic Association, have a positive effect on health.
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