You don’t have to cut out every acid-forming food: Citrus fruits and yogurt, for example, provide nutrients crucial to a well-rounded diet.  Rely on the way you feel to judge whether or not an alkaline diet is working for you.  If you feel fatigued during the day, avoid starches and stick with vegetables.  If you can’t get to sleep, eat carbs at night, which may help you to fall asleep.

Since an acidic diet breaks down bone and muscle, those at risk for osteoporosis and muscle wasting due to age, stand to benefit the most from an alkaline diet.  People with digestive issues and ulcers may also benefit with more alkalizing foods in cooked form.

People who switch to alkaline foods often feel better within a week.  You may have a headache period the first week as you go through junk-food withdrawal, but you’ll end up feeling a whole lot better.

ALKALIZING ORIENTAL VEGETABLES

Daikon

Dandelion Root

Kombu

Maitake

Nori

Reishi

Shitake

Umeboshi

Wakame

ALKALIZING FRUITS

Apple

Apricot

Avocado

Banana (high glycemic)

Berries

Blackberries

Cantaloupe

Cherries, sour

Coconut, fresh

Currants

Dates, dried

Figs, dried

Grapes

Grapefruit

Honeydew Melon

Lemon

Lime

Muskmelons

Nectarine

Orange

Peach

Pear

Pineapple

Raisins

Raspberries

Rhubarb

Strawberries

Tangerine

Tomato

Tropical Fruits

Umeboshi Plums

Watermelon

ALKALIZING PROTEIN

Almonds

Chestnuts

Millet

Tempeh (fermented)

Tofu (fermented)

Whey Protein Powder

ALKALIZING SWEETENERS

Stevia

ALKALIZING SPICES & SEASONINGS

Chili Pepper

Cilantro

Cinnamon

Curry

Ginger

Herbs (all)

Miso

Mustard

Sea Salt

Tamari

ALKALIZING OTHER

Alkaline Antioxidant Water

Apple Cider Vinegar

Bee Pollen

Fresh Fruit Juice

Green Juices

Lecithin Granules

Mineral Water

Molasses, blackstrap

Probiotic Cultures

Soured Dairy Products

Veggie Juices

ALKALIZING MINERALS

Calcium: pH 12

Cesium: pH 14

Magnesium: pH 9

Potassium: pH 14

Sodium: pH 14

It seems that citrus fruits should have an acidifying effect on the body; the citric acid they contain actually has an alkalinizing effect in the system.  Lemonade is acidic, but lemon squeezed into a glass is not.  The sugar added to lemonade makes it acidic.

Try this for breakfast: A veggie omelet containing eggs and veggies.  The veggies contain digestive enzymes that break down the eggs.

A food's acid or alkaline forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food itself. For example, lemons are very acidic; however the end products they produce after digestion and assimilation are very alkaline so, lemons are alkaline forming in the body. Likewise, meat will test alkaline before digestion, but it leaves very acidic residue in the body so, like nearly all animal products, meat is very acid forming.  Packaged foods are at the top of the acidity scale and should be limited.  Fresh red beets, alfalfa, celery, cilantro, jicama and sprouts top the most-alkaline list.

Give these quick, high-alkaline snacks a try:

• A smoothie with coconut water, mango, blueberries and or avocado and whey protein powder (if you can’t tolerate whey use hemp or rice protein).
• A juice of celery, parsley, carrots, beets, apples and ginger.

Increased energy, greater mental clarity and more restful sleep: All these – and better overall health and well-being – will be your rewards for a more alkali way of eating.

This concludes my “Acid vs. Alkaline” series.