An alkaline diet is a healthy alternative that may work due to its emphasis on consuming plants and limiting processed foods.
There is no need to be extreme with your diet and remove all acidic foods. At the same time, very acidic foods should be avoided.
Eating the correct alkaline foods is one part of balancing your body, but there is more to it than just that. You should also include fitness in any healthy eating plan that you may choose. The American Heart Association recommends getting at least 150 minutes of exercise each week.
Since our diets and lifestyles pump us up with damaging acid, it is important to consume alkalising foods and minerals every day so that your body doesn’t deplete its own resources trying to neutralize all that acid.
Certain food groups are considered acidic, alkaline or neutral:
- Acidic: Meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, grains and alcohol
- Neutral: Natural fats, starches and sugars
- Alkaline: Fruits, nuts, legumes and vegetables.
It’s important to remember that fruit juices are acidic, too. Because of this, you should use a straw when drinking fruit juices. This keeps the fruit juice from coming in direct contact with your teeth.
If fruit doesn’t aggravate upper digestive symptoms, they are a healthy food to eat daily and have been shown to reduce chronic disease risk. Despite their initial acidity, most fruits are alkalising.
Balance Your Digestive pH With The 7 Best Alkaline Foods
- Avocado
- Broccoli
- Celery
- Cucumber
Note: Lemon juice in its natural state is acidic with a pH of about 2, but once metabolized it actually becomes alkaline with a pH well above 7.
Foods that are considered acidic must have a pH level of 4.6 or lower. Foods that tend to cause more acidity in the body and that you may need to limit or avoid include:
- Grains
- Sugar
- Certain Dairy Products
- Fish
- Processed Foods
- Fresh Meats and Processed Meats, such as Corned Beef and Turkey
- Sodas and Other Sweetened Beverages
- High-Protein Foods and Supplements
In general, the alkaline diet is healthy because it is based on whole and unprocessed foods.
Remember to consult your doctor before starting any new eating plan if you have an underlying health condition.
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