Amidst the many popular diets publicized in the media these days, you may have overlooked one that focuses more on your internal health than on weight loss or calorie counts. The alkaline diet, explained in detail by Felicia Drury Kliment in her book "The Acid Alkaline Balance Diet," attempts to reduce numerous health complaints that are theorized to be the result of a chemical-laden society and the foods you eat.
Background
According to alkaline diet proponents, such as Alejandro Junger, M.D., the foods you consume create either alkaline or acidic states in your body after they've been digested. Normally, your body maintains an alkaline state on the pH-balance scale. Your pH balance can be tested via your urine or saliva using special pH measuring strips; in a slightly alkaline environment your blood absorbs maximum oxygen, which helps you feel healthy and energetic, says Dr. Junger. On the other hand, Dr. Junger maintains that an acidic pH balance can lead to bone calcium loss, aches and pains, weight management difficulties and frequent colds and other illnesses.
Acid Foods
Certain foods move your body's pH from its healthy alkaline state to an unhealthy acidic state. You may think of acidic foods as things like lemons, pickles and tomatoes; but the way foods taste is different from the states they promote inside your body after digestion. In reality, says Columbia University's Health Services, acid-promoting foods are ones that are common in the Western diet, such as sugar, processed foods, meat, cheese and other dairy products, coffee, alcohol and white flour.
Alkaline Foods
In contrast, alkalizing foods include fruits and vegetables, particularly green, leafy vegetables, says Columbia University. Any meal plan high in fruits and vegetables and lower in animal protein, dairy products and refined flour encourages a healthy, alkaline state in your blood, thus targeting various health issues. In particular, an alkaline meal plan is thought to preserve bone health, by helping your bones hang onto the calcium stored inside them rather than releasing it into your bloodstream to counteract an acid state, explains Jane Brody in "The New York Times."
Akaline Meal Plan
Before beginning any new diet, consult your physician for medical approval. While your physician or a registered dietitian can provide you with detailed and personalized instructions for incorporating more alkaline foods in your diet, an alkaline meal plan simply means increasing the amounts of fruits and vegetables you eat and reducing your intake of animal protein, sugar and refined grains like white bread, white rice, pastries, cookies and the like. When consuming grains and protein, emphasize whole grains -- like brown rice and whole-wheat bread -- and plant-based proteins -- like soybeans, beans, legumes and nuts -- for best alkaline-state promotion.
References
- "The Acid Alkaline Balance Diet, Second Edition"; Felicia Drury Kliment; March 2010
- "Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body's Natural Ability to Heal Itself"; Alejandro Junger, M.D.; 2009
- Columbia University Health Services; Ooh, Baby, I Like it Raw (Or, Is a Raw Diet Healthy?); December 2009
- "The New York Times"; Exploring a Low-Acid Diet for Bone Health; Jane Brody; November 2009
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