Alkaline foods are foods that maintain an alkaline-forming pH, which includes the diet plan that is rich in vegetables and fruits. The human body has a tendency to make acid-forming foods like meat and dairy products more acidic, which can lead to negative health effects like lethargy, constipation, or even heartburn. Basically, these types of food promote an acidic environment in your body.
An alkaline diet is the opposite of an acidic diet because it’s based on eating foods that have a pH that’s higher than 7.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a great alkaline food to have on your plate because it’s naturally high in calcium and potassium, which are both important for your overall health.
Broccoli also has other vitamins and minerals that have an overall positive effect on your body. But the best part of eating broccoli is its phytonutrients that help to maintain an alkaline pH. Phytonutrients are chemical compounds in plants that have many effects on the human body.
They help to boost immunity, strengthen the immune system, and are even used to help fight cancer and heart disease. Broccoli is the perfect snack or addition to any meal, but it’s even beneficial to use as a smoothie base.
- Carrots
- White rice
- Nuts
- Apples
- Pears
- Figs
- Cucumbers
- Spinach
- Bananas
- Strawberries
What are some signs that you have an acidic or alkaline body?
- You have an acidic pH.
- You haven’t eaten in a couple of hours and you have a sour stomach.
- You have to keep foods you eat or drink in a separate bowl to prevent over-acidification of your stomach.
- Your nails are breaking easily.
- You have lower blood pressure when you go to the doctor’s office.
- You have digestive problems.
- You have diarrhea.
- You feel tired a lot.
- You have skin problems.
- Your hair looks dull.
- You have sore or swollen eyes.
- You get dark circles under your eyes.
Some of the foods on the list may come as a surprise because they sound a bit sour or bitter. The alkaline diet recommends you avoid foods that can cause a compromised digestive system, which is typically acidic. This means these foods would have to go on your list, too.
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli rabe
- Cantaloupe
- Eggplant
- Kale
- Fish
- Leeks
- Lemons
- Limes
- Mayonnaise
- Onions
- Mussels
How is a pH balanced?
The pH of our body is measured in degrees. Our human body has a natural pH range that ranges from 7.35 to 7.45.
This range is meant to be neutral and doesn’t change over time. For a healthy body and even a healthy cell, the body keeps a pH level that is between this range. However, the world’s oceans have a pH that is about 8.
Potatoes
Carbs are alkalizing because of the glycemic index. For example, even though a bag of potato chips (a low-carb carb) will spike your blood sugar more than a bag of carrots (a higher-carb carb), the glycemic index of potatoes will have a lower effect on your blood sugar level.
Pears
Apple juice has a pH level that’s at least 3.5, which is alkaline. Because of that, it’s often recommended that you drink apple juice to stay alkaline. Some people also drink pomegranate juice because of its strong antioxidant properties.
Artichokes
Artichokes are high in fiber and potassium, and they’re low in carbs. They’re also low in calories, and they’re high in immune boosting vitamins A and C, and they contain high levels of vitamin K.
Bananas
Bananas can be classified as acidic if you eat them without any fruit or puree options. The average banana has a pH of 2.45, but eating them with the peel on is going to leave it with a higher pH of about 2.5.
While it might not be ideal to eat any type of banana that you peel because it will change the natural sweetness, banana that you eat with the peel on is considered to be healthier.
Spinach
There are a lot of vitamins in spinach that can help keep your body alkaline. The type of spinach you eat will affect how acidic the spinach will be and whether it’ll be beneficial to your body.
Frozen Spinach has a pH of 6.2, and the leafy greens have a pH that goes down to 5.9 when raw. If you eat spinach with the peel on, the spinach will have a pH of 5.4.
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Apples
- Cantaloupe
- Sweet Potatoes
- Kale
- Onions
- Watermelon
- Plums
- Blueberries
- Honey
While this list may seem extensive, I know that you’re probably not eating one serving of any of these right now. In order to get a nice strong base of nutrients to help boost your immune system and bring your body back to its alkaline-forming form, you’ll need to be eating 5-10 servings per day, so it’s important to choose the right foods.
You can also add spirulina to your meal to help fill out the diet’s numbers and aid your body in creating the necessary chemicals to create and remove more waste, leading to a more alkaline-forming stomach.
- Apricots
- Tomatoes
- Beets
- Grapes
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Spinach
- Sweet Potatoes
- Pears
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Zucchini
- Avocados
Each of these fruits and veggies have a specific alkaline effect that is beneficial for your overall health. Plus, these foods are very versatile and can be eaten any time of the day. These are some of the foods that all of the biggest celebrities love to eat.
If you’re unsure what to eat on this alkaline diet, then just remember to eat mostly vegetables and fruits. It’s one of the easiest and most fool-proof eating plans to follow.
My alkaline diet has shown to have a big impact on my overall health, but it’s not just about the food that I eat.
Raisins
Although raisins are high in carbohydrates, they are naturally a good source of vitamin C, which aids in the proper acid production of the stomach. Moreover, it contains an amino acid called asparagine, which aids the digestive tract in proper functioning, as it detoxifies the body.
Asparagus
Asparagus, which is a member of the nightshade family, is a good source of iron and potassium, two nutrients that are essential to the proper functioning of the body. Asparagus is known to have some nasty side effects, such as heartburn and indigestion. Therefore, many find it beneficial to eat it early in the day, when you’re in a hurry and have time to relax your body before eating another meal.
Watermelon
An alkaline diet doesn’t have to mean abstaining from all foods. Instead, it should mean that you’re ensuring that you have a varied and balanced diet. One easy way to go about doing this is to consume the optimal number of each of the alkaline foods listed here. Drinking plenty of water each day and eating fresh, unprocessed foods is the easiest way to ensure you stay on track.
Onions
Onions are extremely high in antioxidants, so they’re great for fighting off harmful free radicals. As such, onions are also low in calories and nutrients. And when consumed in moderation, they are also high in fiber, which is very good for your digestive system.
Asparagus
Onions aren’t the only green foods on this list. Asparagus is another vegetable that has a ton of health benefits.
- Cherries
- Dark Leafy Greens
- Avocados
- Olive Oil
- Hemp Seeds
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Nuts
- Lettuce
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Fish
Any of the Top 10 list could easily be added to the bottom. I can tell you that by eating a more balanced diet, a much better quality of life is possible.
Is Green Tea Healthy?
Two of the main health benefits of green tea are that it’s high in antioxidants and it helps with the blood sugar level.
Antioxidants are molecules that help protect the body’s cells from free radicals. Free radicals are the by-product of normal biochemical reactions and are the culprit of most ailments. Antioxidants work as anti-cancers agents.
Green tea contains quercetin, an antioxidant that is said to be the second most potent antioxidant in the world.