Which Foods Are Best for the Alkaline Food Diet?
March 2nd, 2011
The Alkaline Food Diet is a popular diet for both weight loss and overall health. Supporters of the diet believe that people should return to the diet of our hunter-gatherer ancestors: raw, plant-based foods that mirror healthy blood pH levels.
The theory behind the Alkaline Diet is that as technology progressed, raw fruits and vegetables were phased out of our diets. Processed diary, meat, grains, salts and sugars were introduced. These foods leave behind an acid base in the bloodstream, whereas raw fruits and vegetables leave behind an alkaline base, promoting the correct blood pH levels of 7.35-7.45.
Eating an alkaline-producing diet doesn’t mean cutting out all other foods. The general rule of thumb is 80-20. 80% of the food in your diet should be alkaline, 20% should be acid. Foods that are alkaline include:
• Raw vegetables
• Raw fruits
• Seeds
• Almonds
• Soy
• Oils: flax, avocado, olive, coconut
• Drinks: distilled water, fresh vegetable juice, freshly squeezed fruit juice, herbal tea, non-sweetened soy milk, almond milk
Foods to avoid in the Alkaline Diet:
• Sugar
• Dairy
• Large quantities of meat
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Wheat
• Yeast
• Saturated fat
• Trans fat
• Hydrogenated oils
• Salt
• Peanuts
• Cashews
• Pasta
• White rice
• Condiments
It is recommended that you begin alkalizing your diet with a full cleanse. Eat only raw fruits and vegetables for five days to help rid the body of the acid-producing toxins. It also jump starts your cell and tissue regeneration, and many dieters report feeling more energetic and healthy within three days of an alkaline cleanse. As you reintroduce acid foods, stick to the 80-20 rule to get the full benefits of the Alkaline Diet.
While there are multiple benefits of an Alkaline diet, people with heart disease, kidney problems, or those who take medication that affects potassium levels should consult a healthcare professional before switching to an Alkaline Food Diet.
Entry Filed under: diet
