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What is Alkalinity?
The alkaline diet is a system of eating based on the belief that certain foods leave an alkaline residue, or ash, in the body. Foods are classified as alkaline, neutral, or acidic based on their pH. Alkaline foods are those that have a positive pH.
Proponents of a high-alkaline diet believe this style of eating can improve digestion and help prevent cancer, osteoporosis, allergies, obesity, and fatigue, among other conditions, but scientific evidence to Support these claims is lacking.
Although the scientific jury is still out, many so-called alkaline foods are undeniably some of the healthiest around, and testimonials for this style of eating abound. It certainly can’t hurt to eat more green vegetables, legumes, avocados, and seeds, and favor natural sweeteners like stevia and blackstrap molasses, while limiting or avoiding animal products, refined sugars, and alcohol.
Check out the guide below for a list of some of the healthiest alkaline foods to incorporate in your diet!
Alkaline Foods:
| Fruit: Avocado, Coconut (fresh), Figs, Lemon, Lime, Sour Cherries, Tomato, Watermelon |
| Vegetables: Asparagus, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber, Green Beans, Kale, Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Peppers, Spinach, Squash, Wheat Grass, Zucchini |
| Root Vegetables: Beets, Carrots, Jicama, Radishes, Rutabaga, Potatoes, Turnips, Yams |
| Beans and Legumes: Lentils, Lima Beans, Navy Beans, Soy Beans, Tempeh, Tofu |
| Nuts, Seeds and Oils: Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Chestnuts, Coconut Oil, Flax Seeds, Flax Seed Oil, Olive Oil, Pine Nuts, Pumpkin Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Sesame Oil, Soy Nuts, Sunflower Seeds |
| Spices and Seasonings: Chili Pepper, Cinnamon, Curry, Ginger, Herbs (all), Miso, Sea Salt, Tamari |
| Other: Stevia, Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda, Blackstrap Molasses, Grasses (Wheat, Barley, Kamut, Alfalfa, etc.) |
Acidic Foods:
Interestingly, some of the most acidic foods are also those that have been found to be health-compromising for other reasons. Some of the worst offenders include:
- Beef, chicken, pork, fish
- Eggs, cheese
- Artificial sweeteners, cane sugar, beet sugar
- Soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, butter, margarine
- Black tea, beer, wine, coffee, liquor
- Peanuts, pistachios, cashews
- Chocolate, white bread
You Decide:
Think there’s something to this alkaline diet thing? Tell us your thoughts and experiences below!
Got a great alkaline recipe? Share it with us!
Image Credit: stopthegears/Flickr
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