The body needs a mix of acidic and alkaline foods in order to remain in balance. The best blend is one of 20 percent acidic foods and 80 percent alkaline ones. It would seem that is easy to achieve, and yet, most people find it quite difficult. That makes sense today when fast food and even faster snacks are high in sugar, refined beyond the point of recognition or contain trans fats. Acid producing foods, such as sugars and white breads, are simply easier to grab and run than fresh alkaline vegetables. (You'll never see shelves of broccoli tempting you at the checkout counter of a grocery store.)
The List of Alkaline Foods
The list of alkaline foods contains foods that make your body more alkaline after they've undergone the digestive process. Lemons are extremely acidic but alkalizing once digested. Most of the foods on the alkaline list are natural green vegetables and most fruits. In order to lose weight and improve your overall health, consuming alkaline foods is important. Alkaline foods also protect your teeth.
Just like plants, our body doesn't stay healthy if we have the wrong pH. Everyone's body should be slightly alkaline for their cells to function at their optimal. You don't have to measure each portion of food; you simply should attempt to have the largest amount of your foods from the alkaline food group.
Vegetables
It's easier to note the vegetables that are acidic than those that are alkaline, since most vegetables are alkaline. Some very high alkaline vegetables are onions, asparagus, parsley, raw spinach, broccoli and garlic. However, mushrooms, cabbage, peas, and carrots also rank high on the alkaline chart. Even though tomatoes are yummy and quite good for you, they also contain a quite a bit of acid and are not the top of the alkaline chart.
Fruits
Fruits are high in natural sugar and that tends to make them less alkaline. Those fruits highest on the alkaline chart are lemons and limes, watermelon, mango, papaya and grapefruit. Avocados, apricots, bananas, some berries (except blueberries, cranberries, currants and blackberries), fresh coconut and grapes are just a few alkaline fruits.
Protein
Animal products tend to be acidifying. However, don't let that stop you from eating them entirely. Rather than waste your 20 percent of acidifying foods on sugars, you're far better off getting them from this food group. Wild game and grass fed beef tend to be the least acidifying of animal proteins and goat milk products are slightly alkaline. However, plant protein from almonds, chestnuts, fermented tofu and whey protein powder are the most alkalizing.
Drinks
Throw away those carbonated beverages, resign from the Starbucks club and forget having another chug of alcohol if you want to alkalize your body. All of these are highly acidic. Instead, buy some good green tea, not black because it's slightly acidic, get herbal tea or ginger tea and squeeze a slice of lemon in a glass of water for the best alkalizing drinks. There are machines that make tap water more alkaline. Many people say they enjoy the flavor of the alkaline water more than other water.
