Maintaining a balanced pH is important for promoting healthy physiological function. Otherwise, you may experience weight gain and poor health if acid builds in your body, notes Dr. Susan Brown in "The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide." Although acid imbalances can be caused by disease, smoking and stress, it is most associated with unhealthy dietary habits. For best results, incorporate high alkaline foods into your diet to naturally restore your pH levels.
Vegetables
Vegetables are high alkaline foods. Consuming them keeps your body's pH functioning at proper alkaline levels, notes Dr. Susan Brown in "The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide." For best results, consume raw, fresh or organic alkaline vegetables such as beets, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, chives, carrots, cauliflower, garlic, cabbage, watercress, spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, romaine lettuce, turnips and other leafy green vegetables. Consider lightly steaming your vegetables to maintain their alkaline properties.
Fruits
Like vegetables, fruits are beneficial foods to eat because of their high alkaline properties. They also contain abundant amounts of vitamins and other nutrients. According to Dr. Kathleen Mahan in "Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy," incorporating fresh and organic fruits into your regular diet helps balance your body's pH. Examples of high alkaline fruits include mango, melon, papaya, pears, watermelon, pineapple, pomegranate, avocado, and watermelon. Upon consumption, your digestive system naturally metabolizes acidic fruits such as oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, tangelos and lemons into alkaline components. For best results, avoid canned fruits or those with added sugar or preservatives.
Protein
Protein-rich foods such as fish, meat, poultry and dairy sources are acid-forming foods. However, protein sources such as nuts and seeds possess high alkaline properties, according to Dr. Felicia Drury Kilment in the book "The Acid-Alkaline Balance Diet." Examples of high alkaline nuts and seeds include flaxseed, pumpkin, almonds, Brazil nuts, chestnuts, squash, and macadamia. Additional high alkaline protein sources include tofu, tempeh, lentils, lima beans, millet, spelt and miso.
Vinegar, Oils and Herbs
The Wolfe Clinic notes that adding alkaline vinegar and oils is a healthy way to balance your pH. Vinegar and oils, which help enhance the taste of food, can be used as dressings and cooking oils for steamed vegetables and salads. Examples include organic apple cider vinegar, olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, avocado oil, hempseed oil and evening primrose oil. Herbs such as basil, ginger, cayenne, cinnamon, parsley, cilantro and curry are also high alkaline foods.
References
- The Wolfe Clinic: Alkaline Foods
- Dr. Jeff Health Center: The Alkaline Foods (pH of Foods)
- "The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide": Dr. Susan Brown; 2006
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy"; Dr. Kathleen Mahan; 2008
- "The Acid-Alkaline Balance Diet"; Felicia Drury Kilment; 2002
Member Comments