So as time progressed, human diets changed and our blood became more acidic. Advocates of the Alkaline Diet believe that in order to be healthy people should return to the diets of our ancestors. An acid-producing diet can disrupt the levels of essential minerals in the body, whereas an alkaline-producing diet does not.

Some health practitioners believe that an acid-producing diet that disrupts the pH level of the blood is the cause of many chronic illnesses and doctors often prescribe an Alkaline Diet to patients who exhibit:

•    Extreme fatigue
•    Chronic headaches
•    Nasal congestion
•    Frequent colds
•    Anxiety/depression
•    Ovarian and breast cysts

Eating an alkaline-producing diet requires shifting to an 80-20 way of eating. 80% of the diet should be alkaline and 20% acid. Introducing raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, oils, and plenty of water are a great way to shift your diet to an alkaline base and keep your pH levels in the correct range.

People with kidney problems, heart disease, or who are on medication that affects potassium levels should not start an Alkaline Diet without consulting a physician. Otherwise healthy people should find an Alkaline Diet increases energy, promotes healthy weight loss, decreases anxiety, lifts moods and boosts the immune system.

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.

Measuring the pH level is essential so that one may know if he or she is acidic or alkaline, then precautions or safety measures can be done. Foods that we ingest have certain effects to our body internally and externally. The balance between acid and alkaline ingested should be maintained otherwise the body’s pH level would be imbalanced telling us what to eat more and what to eat less. As mentioned previously the foods that we ingest greatly affects what our body would become.

The pH level is tested using a strip of litmus paper and the results are also known immediately after. This litmus paper will indicate if a person is on the acidic side of the scale or the alkaline side. To measure the pH level, it has to be done a number of times so you can get the right diagnosis, it may be inconvenient to some to have to do this a couple of times but the benefits for knowing the results works for your advantage, it will tell you what diet suits you and what food you have to eat.

When in the alkaline diet the primary goal is to balance the acid-alkaline content of the body’s pH level. This is so that weight loss is acquired and all toxins and unwanted elements are removed and eliminated. The majority of pH level imbalance is because of over acidity that is why alkaline diet is essential to correct the imbalance that our body experiences.

When testing the pH level of the body the strip used turns into various colors which is compared to a chart indicating if you are acid-alkaline balanced. So when your body has accumulated a lot of acid, the strip informs it to you by turning to a certain color. If this happens then you should undergo an alkaline diet which specifically targets acid-alkaline imbalance of the body.

The information that you will get from the strip will constantly change as you undergo the alkaline diet. As you progress towards getting a healthy, fitter and slimmer body, you will also notice that your pH reading is inclining in the alkaline level of the scale which is a good sign if you are acidic because you are moving towards a better and balanced body.

People won’t notice that they have become acidic unless they tested their fluids or worse if they already feel that something is very wrong and with the food we consume everyday who knows what we are putting into our bodies. The pH number that should be a target for all is from 7.33 to 7.4.

Emma Deangela shows you how to use natural alkaline foods for dieting. If you happen to not know about alkaline diet, do go to the website and find out more information about it.

Alkaline Diet Chart:

Highly Alkaline Foods According to the Alkaline Diet Chart

-Tangerine, Pineapple, Lotus Root, sea salt, lentils, Seaweed, watermelon, tangerine, baking soda, onion, seaweed, mineral water, sweet potato, lime, nectarine, persimmon, raspberry, pumpkin seeds, sea vegetables

Moderately Alkaline Foods according to the Alkaline Diet Chart

-kambucha, broccoli, grapefruit, cantaloupe, citrus, olive, loganberry, parsnip, unsulfured molasses, soy sauce, cashews, grapefruit, cantaloupe, honeydew, garlic, kale, parsley, endive, kohlrabi, chestnuts, pepper, mustard green, ginger, dewberry, arugula, olive

Low Alkaline Forming Foods According to the Alkaline Diet Chart

-Sesame seed, cherry, rutabaga, cauliflower, mu tea, rice syrup, almonds, blackberry, peach, ginseng, collard greens, rice syrup, papaya, cabbage, sour apples, apple cider, mushrooms, avocado, bell pepper, potato, eggplant, sprouts, sake, primrose, bell pepper, apple cider vinegar

Very Low Alkaline Forming Foods According to the Alkaline Diet Chart

-celery, blueberry , raisin, wild rice, ghee, avocado oil, chive, most seeds, cilantro, currant, umeboshi vinegar, coconut oil, olive oil, duck eggs, cucumber, turnip greens, strawberry, flax oil, ghee, flax oil, beet, lettuces, banana, japonica rice, orange, brussel sprouts, oats, grain coffee

Very Low Acid Forming Foods According to the Alkaline Diet Chart

-Alcohol, chard, plum, farina, elk, lamb, spelt, game mear, wheat, oil, lima beans, teff, kamut, farina, semolina, white rice, cow milk, balsamic vinegar, milk, seitan, pinto beans, tofu, shell fish, mutton, black tea, white rice, vanilla, navy beans, boar, white beans, mollusks, buckwheat, almond oil, safflower, aduki beans, soy cheese, shell fish, aged cheese, tomatoes, red beans, sesame oil, aduki beans, almond oil

Moderately Acid Forming Foods According to the Alkaline Diet Chart

-Coffee, cranberry, pecans, squid, maize, kernel oil, corn, casein, milk protein, lard, oat bran, chicken, green peas, peanuts, pomegranate, soy milk, barley groats, cranberry, nutmeg, pistachios, chestnut oil, garbanzo beans, pork, mussels, rye, legumes, veal

Highly Acid Forming foods to avoid at all costs!!!

-pudding, fried foods, walnuts, jam, sweeteners, beer, cola, walnuts, hazelnuts, table salt, ice cream, soybean, beef, hops, malt, soft drinks, vinegar, processed cheese, lobster, sugar, barley, cottonseed oil, pheasant.
To get a full and complete list of alkaline and acid foods please visit my website: acidalkalinediet Your complete resource to learn everything about this diet.

Over eighty percent of ones food should comprise of fruits and vegetables if the normal slightly alkaline body ph is to be maintained. A normal body ph of 7.4 has many benefits. Not only does it help to prevent illnesses but also assists in curing them. With an alkaline ph the life span can be increased too. There are many kinds of alkaline fruits and vegetable one can have. Below is a list of the five top alkaline fruits.

Figs are the top form of alkaline fruits. Figs have in them several qualities and help tremendously in alkalizing the body. They can be eaten raw or can be added to any recipe. Dried figs are also alkaline fruits and one can even add then to half a glass of warm water to hydrate them. But since figs are laxative fruits also it is advisable to not have more than a handful in a day.

Another alkaline fruit is the apple. An apple a day actually does keep the doctor away , and if the doctor is good looking , well in that case too do not do away with the apple, simply get his number. Apples are not only loved for their taste but can be consumed in various forms. Cut an apple into small square shapes add a little bit of iodine sea salt and lemon and mix well. A tangy flavored apple dish is ready. Apples pies smell lovely and this alkaline fruit is used even as a Halloween sweet when dipped in chocolate. Apples are most commonly consumed raw and that is the best way to have this alkaline fruit while keeping all their nutrients intact.

Third on the list of alkaline fruits are all kinds of sweet grapes. Grapes are easy to carry and consume. They do not involve much chopping and cleaning. What is more is that this alkaline fruit is a favorite with kids and one does not have to run behind them to make them eat some grapes. Just leave a bowl full of grapes lying around while the kids are playing and soon they will all be gone. Even though raisins are derived from grapes it is best to consume alkaline fruits that are fresh and thoroughly cleaned as opposed to processed alkaline fruits. All the same not only raisins but all dried fruits are alkaline fruits and can be consumed without fear.

If you have ever gotten stitches or broken a bone then for sure bananas must have been recommended for faster healing. This is because apart from being high in calcium bananas are also alkaline fruits. Since alkaline fruits help keep the alkaline ph balance of the body they help in the healing process.

For that peachy looking skin and glowing hair have a lot of peaches. Peaches are alkaline fruits and help to give the skin and hair a healthy glow. People who suffer from brittle nails will also find that having alkaline fruits helps make their nails stronger. So leave the cream bit out of those peaches and creams and enjoy the fruit for what it is.

Alkaline fruits are very healthy and nutritious. A sweet flavor is a good indicator of an alkaline fruit. Alkaline fruits should make up large parts of a persons daily food intake.

Consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has decreased giving rise to the Western acid-producing diet. Something or the other has to be done to control it otherwise the results will be too disastrous for us to imagine.

Now what is an alkaline diet?

What happens- When we eat, our food gets digested, absorbed, and metabolized, and then it releases either an acid or an alkaline base (bicarbonate) into our blood.

Alkaline levels in our body

Our blood is somewhat alkaline, consisting of a normal pH level between 7.35 and 7.45. An acidic diet disrupts this balance and encourages the loss of essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium, as the body tries to restore balance and this imbalance makes you prone to numerous chronic diseases.

If you have noticed the following symptoms in you, then alkaline diet is strongly recommended for you:

1. Lack of energy

2. Excessive mucous production

3. Nasal congestion

4. Frequent colds and flu

5. Anxiety, nervousness, irritability

6. Ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries, benign breast cysts

7. Headache

Acidic Foods

1. Meats and oils

2. Jams

3. Butter

4. Cookies

5. Frozen foods

6. Ice creams

7. Cranberries

8. Wheat

And almost 90% of our food intake is acidic by nature.

Alkaline Foods

Alkaline diets prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones, osteoporosis, and age-related muscle wasting.

1. Almonds

2. Yogurt

3. Raw milk

4. Soy milk

5. Wheat grass

6. Germ grass

7. Honey

8. Herbal tea

9. All fruits except Cranberries

10. Melons and Grapes- highly alkaline

11. Lemon- Though sour in taste yet not acidifying- Lemonade made with stevia and sea salt is highly alkaline and very refreshing

12. Quinoa, Amaranth, Millet, Buckwheat (grains)- All other grains are highly acidic in nature and should not be taken

Fruits and vegetables if eaten raw also provide a dual purpose of not only energy but also fiber. The heart, the brain, the blood cells, the liver, the kidney all require a body ph of 7.4 for a smooth and optimal functioning. Only an alkaline foods diet can insure that this natural alkaline body ph is restored. An alkaline foods diet is completely opposite to what most of us eat today.

The Greener The Vegetable, The More Alkaline

So when looking for alkaline vegetables, go for the greens like broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, wheat grass, lettuce, and so on are high alkaline foods and are highly beneficial to the body.

Vegetables like mushrooms, onions, peas, pepper bells, parsley, radish, cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes with their peels and garlic though not green vegetables are all the same alkaline foods.

But please stay miles away from the highly-acidic foods like animal flesh, processed food, eggplants, fats and even lentils. These acidic foods are really fatal for the body.

Wheat is an acidic food but wheat grass is alkaline.

Similarly raw spinach is alkaline by nature but if you cook it, it gets highly acidic. Milk is also alkaline but only if it is raw. All processed forms of dairy are acidic and are to be avoided.

Alkaline foods prevents from diseases

Many chronic aliments like cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, coronary diseases, migraines, dental problems, depressions, sinusitis, and many such seemingly common illnesses are the result of acidic foods diet that we are used to. Now, do you realize that why do we suffer from such problems throughout our lives.

Needless to say that when we follow an alkaline foods diet our bodies get alkalinized and the acidic levels gets balanced out thus repelling all germs and strengthening the immune system.

For those who are inclined to non vegetarian diet meats are a clear no. For those looking for some protein there is chicken breast, which is alkaline and can be eaten for good health. Other meats are all acidic and should form no more the 20 % of ones diet.

WARNING-

Remember never to eat just alkaline foods, a bit of acid is also required for a balanced diet. the only thing is to keep your acidic food intake very limited.

Alkaline diet is recommended in different variations for different bodies. First go for a reliable source and purchase a pH balance kit. Measure your alkaline content and then go for the alkaline diet accordingly.

Mostly all fruits and vegetables are alkaline but to gain maximum benefit one must try and consume high alkaline foods. High alkaline foods can help achieve optimal benefits from the food we eat while at the same time keeping our body ph balanced. Children and senior citizens have small appetites and by giving them high alkaline foods one can insure that they get enough nutrition even in small portions.

To maintain a healthy body ph one needs to consume 60 % alkaline foods and the rest 40% can be acidic but to restore a healthy ph balance the alkaline food should make up about 80% of the entire food intake. Here is where the high alkaline foods step in.

In the vegetable category mostly all the items are alkaline but there are a few that are considered high alkaline foods. Raw spinach falls in the high alkaline foods segment. But this high alkaline food if cooked becomes acidifying. Similarly asparagus which are definitely high alkaline foods are good only if green; the white tips are acidic and should be left out of the cooking. High alkaline foods are essential for the body and unless one has a death wish they should not be left out of meals. Onions, barely grass and parsley are also high alkaline foods. Onions can be eaten raw for maximum benefit or cooked with other vegetables. Green vegetables juices are also considered to be part of high alkaline foods. Salt intake should be limited but always use sea salt which has iodine so as to get alkalized by salt too. A bit of salt can make a glass of vegetable juice quite tingling for the taste buds.

Apart from vegetables, fruits are also high alkaline foods. Lemons and limes even though acidic in their essence, once digested by the body leave and alkaline ash. So this fruit even though is acidic in nature has an alkalizing affect on the body. Lemons are high alkaline foods and apart from the vitamin c in them are also loved for their tangy flavor. Lemonades can work wonders in refreshing a tried body both long and short term. High alkaline foods can help rid one of depressions as well as tiredness. Papayas are also high alkaline foods and release a lot of alkaline ash. Consuming papayas regularly leads to glowing skin as well as shiny hair. Water melons are also high alkaline foods but they should not be combined with other foods since they do not make good combination foods. Mangoes and grapefruit also are found on the high alkaline foods chart.

Olive oil has a special place on the high alkaline foods chart. It is very alkalizing and food cooked in olive oil can do wonders for the body ph. Olive oil is even recommended for the skin and hair to improve their texture. Herb teas and lemon water are also high alkaline foods. Herb teas make good beverages for those cold days while lemon water shall refresh you on a hot afternoon.

Having these high alkaline foods will help the body fight diseases and also cure them. Consuming high alkaline foods also increases the life span.