Try Alkaline Foods to Feel Better

Because of factors like diet and stress, many people in industrialized nations are too acidic, and so we are afflicted with health problems that run the gamut from minor skin irritations to depression, chronic fatigue and back pain to arthritis, ulcers, and osteoporosis.

Take a look at the checklist of symptoms that indicate acidity. Then find out what to eat (and what to avoid) to improve your health!

Interested in joining an online discussion group about the acid-alkaline diet? Join us at Acid-Alkaline Diet Discussion Group!

First, see the list of symptoms to find out if you may be too acidic.

Here is a list of alkalinizing foods that will help you to balance your over-acidity:

Alkalizing Foods
Potatoes
Green vegetables, raw or cooked, salad greens, cabbage, etc.
Colored vegetables: carrots, beets (except for tomatoes)
Corn (kernels or cooked as polenta)
Milk (liquid and powdered form), large-curd cottage cheese, cream, butter
Bananas
Almonds, Brazil nuts
Chestnuts
Dried fruits: dates, raisins (except those that are acidic to the taste—apricots, apples, pineapple)
Almond milk
Black olives preserved in oil
Avocado
Cold-pressed oils
Natural sugar

Acidic Foods to Avoid
If you are too acidic, eating these foods could cause more of a problem.

Refined flour products: White bread, pasta
Grains: White rice
Sugary cereals and desserts: Cakes, pies, cookies
Sugars: White and brown sugar
Beans: Soybeans, chickpeas, red beans, garbanzos
Red meat: Beef, mutton, pork, cold cuts
Fatty fish: Salmon, carp, herring, mackerel
Crustaceans: Lobster, shrimp, mussels
Condiments: Capers, pickles, pimentos, mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise
Fats: Hydrogenated margarine, lard
Beverages: Coffee, tea, chocolate milk, sodas, tomato juice, orange juice, grapefruit juice, wine, strong spirits

Read more: Health, Natural Remedies, Osteoporosis

Adapted from The Acid-Alkaline Diet, by Christopher Vasey, N.D. (Inner Traditions, 2003). Copyright (c) 2003 by Christopher Vasey. Reprinted by permission of Inner Traditions.
Adapted from The Acid-Alkaline Diet, by Christopher Vasey, N.D. (Inner Traditions, 2003).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Brian B.

8:56AM PST on Jan 26, 2012

Annie Guillet battled cancer with alkaline foods. She lost the battle because the cancer was very advanced before she started the alkaline food diet, but she extended her beyond doctor's believe and expectation. She wrote a fantastic alkaline cookbook for everyone to enjoy.

In honor of her legacy here are 6 free yummy recipes:

http://www.healthalkaline.com/alkalinefoods/6-healthy-alkaline-recipes-alkaline-foods-for-alkaline-diet/

send a green star

Elisa S.

5:45PM PST on Jan 9, 2012

EVERYONE GO TO ALKALIFE.COM XOXO

5:42PM PST on Jan 9, 2012

EVERYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN LIVING AN ALKALINE WAY OF LIVING SHOULD VISIT ....ALKALIFE.COM THIS PRODUCT IS FANTASTIC

Richard D.

3:20PM PDT on Sep 27, 2011

Yo, this is fantastic, love the alkaline philosophy.

But how about combining BOTH the Raw and Alkaline philosophies...

That is just what we have done at http://www.evolvewithflavor.com

Natalie Away J.

6:08AM PST on Jan 23, 2011

Thanks for the info, although I love milk and yoghurt I read it was acidic.

Lizzy M.

1:53AM PDT on Jul 3, 2010

I was surfing net and fortunately came across this site and found very interesting stuff here. Its really fun to read. I enjoyed a lot. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information.
Acai Berry
Stretch Marks

Vijay S.

3:35AM PDT on Jun 29, 2010

A simple way to start a acid/alkaline diet without too much confusion is to eat at set times throughout the day to create a pattern for your metabolism. Only drink liquids30 min or more before and after eating to regulate your stomach acid. Eat foods that require the most digestion first ie proteins, fats, complex starches (rice pasta, bread) and MAKE SURE you do not eat or drink too many acidic tasting things and end with a salad.Acidic foods and beverages will convince your stomach not to produce acid and postpone digestion. Once you've digested this meal, have a alkaline (not alkanalyzing) snack like bananas or even potatoes or soda crackers. This will balance out the acid residue left from digestion. If you feel hungry at odd times, Thats when you can drink acidic things to prevent unecessary acid build up when theres no food to digest.

3:26AM PDT on Jun 29, 2010

The reason that there are so many conflicting lists, is because although foods can be labeled "Alkalinizing, or Acidifying" that is simple what they encourage. Drinking and eating foods with high acid content as they mention for staying alkaline, only postpones the release of acid in the stomach. Foods like soda bread, bananas, and potatos are actually basic(alkaline) and have an antacid effect. Meats an complex proteins lipids and starches require acid and bile to be broken down, and therefore should not be hindered or prevented. Everything in your diet is about moderation, and knowing the effect each thing you ingest has on you.

MJ M.

6:16AM PDT on May 25, 2008

I agree with Tom above. The goal is to keep food intake as alkaline as possible, but it will never be perfect. I prefer the lists that range from very alkaline through neutral to highly acidic. It seems the majority of discrepancies fall in the mildly acidic to mildly alkaline range. I just try to stay away from the highly acidic stuff including coffee and artificial sweeteners. Since stress has more effect on how acidic we are than many foods, getting stressed out about the discrepancies on the lists probably doing more harm than eating slightly acidic foods. I just chucked animal protein, dairy and wheat and try to make green vegetables the mainstay of my diet. Keeping well-hydrated is helpful too. I just went the baking soda-lemon water route. Maybe someday I'll buy an expensive water ionizer, but I'd rather have an air ionizer first. As with anything, just do the best you can and don't stress out about it. Meditate, meditate, meditate.

Chazra S.

5:41PM PDT on May 13, 2008

The more the food is cooked, the more acidic it becmes. With the exception of a very few foods , like rice, potatoes, and other foods that must be cooked to be edible, then there is a fine line between cooked to be alkilin rich, and overly cooked and acidic.

most citrus fruits in moderation are fine when raw. once again, moderation. lemons are alkaline when added to water, but processed foods should be avoided always!