Which Foods Are More Base Than Acid?

Foods can be divided into two categories, base and acid. Taken together, they compose your pH level on which your body operates. Another term for base is alkaline, cites the USDA. Too much of either base or acid in your diet can lead to health imbalances and negative health concerns. It is important to balance your pH level. In order to operate at your optimum level, learn which foods contain more base than acid.

Vegetables

According to the USDA, the majority of fresh vegetables contain more base than acid. Juices made from the fresh vegetables fall in this category. This includes product known as dark, leafy greens. Included in this category are spinach, beet greens, mustard greens, bok choy, red leaf lettuce, kohlrabi, Swiss chard, dandelion greens, kale and endive.
A variety of root vegetables are known as base foods. Root vegetables falling in this classification include turnips, rutabagas, leeks, radishes, garlic, potatoes (sweet and white versions), carrots and onions, cites the USDA and the holistic website www.thewolfeclinic.com.
Other vegetables containing more base than acid include those classified as nightshades. These include tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, zucchini, eggplant and pepper varieties (red, green and/or yellow). Squash such as pumpkin, mushrooms, zucchini, acorn, spaghetti and butternut fall in this category.
Other vegetables that you can consider are varied. Oriental vegetables such as Shiitake and/or maitake mushrooms, kombu, nori, wakame, daikon radish and reishi are included here. Sea vegetables such as spirulina, kelp and seaweed contain more base than acid. Sprouts and grasses such as wheat grass, barley grass and alfalfa sprouts are alkaline by nature.

Fruits

Depending upon which form you prefer, fruits can satisfy your need for more base, less acid. Dried fruits contain more base than acid states www.essence-of-life.com. Raisins, prunes, dates, plums, apricots and figs are in this category.
Most fresh fruits are considered base foods cites the USDA. Vine fruits of the melon variety are included here. These include watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew varieties. Tree and vine fruits contain more base than acid. These fruits include berries of all varieties including blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and huckleberries. Tree fruits like apples, pears, prunes, plums, nectarines, peaches, apricots and cherries fall in this category. Citrus fruits are tree fruit. According to www.essence-of-life.com, citrus fruits that contain more base than acid include lemons, limes, oranges, tangerines and grapefruit.

The juices made from fresh fruits also fall in this base-food category.

Soy Foods

Soy beans and their byproducts contain more base than acid. Soy beans can be eaten as is, roasted or baked. The bean can also be made into soy milk, tofu, tempeh, soy ice cream and/or soy yogurt. All soy foods, without artificial additives, apply here, cites the USDA.