Mix Alkaline and Acidic Foods

Incorporating expert feedback

←Older revision		Revision as of 01:09, 20 December 2016
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−	The correct mixing of alkaline and acidic foods is sometimes referred to as "food combining." This diet allows you to optimize the way in which your body digests food.	+	The correct mixing of alkaline and acidic foods is sometimes referred to as "food combining." This diet is thought by some to allow you to optimize the way in which your body digests food.
−	Proper digestion lets your body function at its best. To see these benefits, an individual should eat 4 times as many alkaline producing foods than acid producing foods. This approach to eating can be challenging at times. But, you can consider it an investment in your health.	+	Proper digestion lets your body function at its best. To see these benefits, an individual should eat two times as many alkaline producing foods than acid producing foods. This approach to eating can be challenging at times, and well-designed clinical trials on this diet are lacking.
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	[[Category:Diet & Lifestyle]]		[[Category:Diet & Lifestyle]]
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	== Steps ==		== Steps ==
	===Categorizing Foods===		===Categorizing Foods===
−	#Identify alkaline-producing foods. All vegetables are considered alkaline foods. Broccoli, cucumber, and string beans are a few alkaline ‘power foods.’ Fruit that is fresh, with the exception of cranberries and plums, are also alkaline foods. Some dried fruits, dates and figs, count as well. Milk and almonds are generally alkaline foods when eaten on their own.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hOlBwk Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 1.jpg|center]]	+	#Identify alkaline-producing foods. All vegetables are considered alkaline foods. Broccoli, cucumber, and string beans are a few alkaline "power foods." Fruit that is fresh, with the exception of cranberries and plums, are also alkaline foods. Some dried fruits, dates and figs, count as well. Milk and almonds are generally alkaline foods when eaten on their own.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hOlBwk Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 1.jpg|center]]
	#* If you forget the precise list, just go for leafy vegetables and bright fruits, such as watermelon.		#* If you forget the precise list, just go for leafy vegetables and bright fruits, such as watermelon.
	#* Alkaline foods are not processed, so if you find yourself buying canned or prepackaged, do a double-check. Even prepackaged lettuce (in salad mixes) can diminish the health benefits.		#* Alkaline foods are not processed, so if you find yourself buying canned or prepackaged, do a double-check. Even prepackaged lettuce (in salad mixes) can diminish the health benefits.
−	#Identify acidic foods. Meat, fish, poultry and eggs are generally acidic foods. Cereal, grains, nuts, and sugar are usually acid producing as well. Cheese is another common culprit with parmesan being ranked as the most acidic.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hTifFv Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Identify acidic foods. Meat, fish, poultry and eggs are generally acidic foods. Cereal, grains, and nuts are usually acid producing as well. Cheese is another common culprit with parmesan being ranked as the most acidic.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hTifFv Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 2.jpg|center]]
		+	#*Meat, fish, dairy products, caffeine, sugar and salt are the most acid forming foods.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hOfiZy;
	#* Be aware that even seemingly healthy items, such as wild cooked trout or salmon, can raise your body’s acid levels.		#* Be aware that even seemingly healthy items, such as wild cooked trout or salmon, can raise your body’s acid levels.
	#* Choosing low-fat versions of some foods, such as milk, can lower acid levels. This is a good compromise measure for those people who don’t want to drastically change their diet.		#* Choosing low-fat versions of some foods, such as milk, can lower acid levels. This is a good compromise measure for those people who don’t want to drastically change their diet.
−	#Identify neutral foods. A wide variety of waters are considered neutral-tap water, spring water, river water, and even sea water. They all exist at the center of the pH scale, ranking at 7.0. Olive oil and egg whites are also commonly considered to be neutral in nature.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hTlIUm Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 3.jpg|center]]	+	#Identify neutral foods. A wide variety of waters are considered neutral — tap water, spring water, river water, and even sea water. They all exist at the center of the pH scale, ranking at 7.0. Olive oil and egg whites are also commonly considered to be neutral in nature.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hTlIUm Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 3.jpg|center]]
	===Developing a Meal Plan===		===Developing a Meal Plan===
	#Eat primarily alkaline-producing foods. For every one serving of an acidic food, you should have four servings of an alkaline food. In order for the body to function at optimal efficiency, it must maintain a pH balance of 7.4. Eating additional alkaline foods keeps your body from taking nutrients from other areas in order to neutralize an acid-heavy diet.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hTlIUm Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 4.jpg|center]]		#Eat primarily alkaline-producing foods. For every one serving of an acidic food, you should have four servings of an alkaline food. In order for the body to function at optimal efficiency, it must maintain a pH balance of 7.4. Eating additional alkaline foods keeps your body from taking nutrients from other areas in order to neutralize an acid-heavy diet.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hTlIUm Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 4.jpg|center]]
	#* If you want to be even more precise, you can invest in a food scale. Weigh each food portion carefully and write down the results in a notebook divided into two acid/alkaline columns. At the end of each day, add the columns up to see how close you got to the 4 per 1 ratio.		#* If you want to be even more precise, you can invest in a food scale. Weigh each food portion carefully and write down the results in a notebook divided into two acid/alkaline columns. At the end of each day, add the columns up to see how close you got to the 4 per 1 ratio.
	#* For example, for lunch you could have a veggie sandwich. Try using whole-grain bread with hummus, avocados, and cucumbers packed inside. Fruit is always a good breakfast option.		#* For example, for lunch you could have a veggie sandwich. Try using whole-grain bread with hummus, avocados, and cucumbers packed inside. Fruit is always a good breakfast option.
−	#Digest types of food separately. Eat a series of smaller meals throughout the day composed of either your acidic or alkaline food selections. The body uses different fluids to digest various types of foods, and if you combine alkaline and acidic foods, digestion will slow down or in some cases may stop. When digestion is halted, food can begin to ferment or even rot in the body, which causes flatulence and the production of toxins inside the body, and may even promote disease.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hOlbGi Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 5.jpg|center]]	+	#Consume fresh vegetables and fruits. This will provide you with the maximum nutritional benefit. If fresh produce is not available, frozen is the next best alternative. Canned produce should usually be avoided as it contains high levels of sodium and other add-ons.[[Image:Mix Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 6.jpg|center]]
−	#* Using fruits and vegetables as heavy snack foods is one of the best ways to simplify this process. Munch on carrot sticks or eat raisins as one of your many small meals.	+
−	#* If complete separation is not possible, eat your alkaline foods first followed by the acidic foods.	+
−	#* Separate your protein intake out over several meals. Protein takes the longest to digest, between 2-6 hours, and can cause indigestion if over-ingested.	+
−	#Consume fresh vegetables and fruits. Buy organic produce whenever possible. This will provide you with the maximum nutritional benefit without any of the side effects from chemicals or packaging. If fresh produce is not available, frozen is the next best alternative. Canned produce should usually be avoided as it contains high levels of sodium and other add-ons.[[Image:Mix Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 6.jpg|center]]	+
	#* Not all vegetables and fruits are the same or equal, however. Try to vary your intake of produce so that you get the full array of benefits. Asparagus, for example, assists with the nervous system. Watermelon is helpful for hydration as it is 92% water.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hToZ69;		#* Not all vegetables and fruits are the same or equal, however. Try to vary your intake of produce so that you get the full array of benefits. Asparagus, for example, assists with the nervous system. Watermelon is helpful for hydration as it is 92% water.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hToZ69;
	#Eat unprocessed grains and starches. Although grains are usually acidic, there are natural options that count as alkaline. Purchase grains that are minimally packaged, the closer to fresh the better. Be creative when choosing grains.[[Image:Mix Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 7.jpg|center]]		#Eat unprocessed grains and starches. Although grains are usually acidic, there are natural options that count as alkaline. Purchase grains that are minimally packaged, the closer to fresh the better. Be creative when choosing grains.[[Image:Mix Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 7.jpg|center]]
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	#* Instead of eliminating desserts entirely, you might try making sweet treats from acidic foods, such as melons or apples. You will feel less deprived and make some progress toward your food combining goals.		#* Instead of eliminating desserts entirely, you might try making sweet treats from acidic foods, such as melons or apples. You will feel less deprived and make some progress toward your food combining goals.
	#* Watch your drink consumption as well. Many sugary drinks, such as soda, will throw off your pH balance as well. Just drinking one soda a day can increase your diabetes risk by 26%.<ref> http://ift.tt/2hOnGIH;		#* Watch your drink consumption as well. Many sugary drinks, such as soda, will throw off your pH balance as well. Just drinking one soda a day can increase your diabetes risk by 26%.<ref> http://ift.tt/2hOnGIH;
−	#Avoid animal based-proteins. Instead of eating chicken or steak, go for plant-based proteins. Beans and tofu are the most popular options.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hToZTQ; Be aware that not consuming enough protein can cause a variety of health problems including anxiety and irritability. Keep track of your protein intake via your food journal.<ref> http://ift.tt/2hOnJnD Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 9.jpg|center]]	+
	===Understanding the Science===		===Understanding the Science===
−	#Visualize the pH scale. Picture a line with “1” on one end and “14” on the other. The acidity or alkalinity of food will fall somewhere on this line. A strong alkali will have a high value, such as 14, while a strong acid will have a low value, such as 1. Neutrals, such as water, will have a pH value of 7.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hTt7Ds Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 10.jpg|center]]	+	#Visualize the pH scale. Picture a line with “1” on one end and “14” on the other. The acidity or alkalinity of food will fall somewhere on this line. A strong alkali will have a high value, such as 14, while a strong acid will have a low value, such as one. Neutrals, such as water, will have a pH value of seven.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hTt7Ds Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 10.jpg|center]]
	#*The pH measures the concentration of dissolved hydrogen ions, which then indicates acidity or alkalinity.		#*The pH measures the concentration of dissolved hydrogen ions, which then indicates acidity or alkalinity.
−	#* You can measure the pH for more than just foods. Bleach, for example, has a pH of thirteen. Battery acid has a pH of zero.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hOpvW1;	+	#* You can measure the pH for more than just foods. Bleach, for example, has a pH of 13. Battery acid has a pH of zero.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hOpvW1;
	#Think of the effect on the body. Human blood maintains a pH of about 7.4. All major systems of the body work together in order to keep this number as consistent as possible. When you consider a food combination diet, the idea is that you are lessening some of the work that your body has to do to maintain balance.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hTjFzF Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 11.jpg|center]]		#Think of the effect on the body. Human blood maintains a pH of about 7.4. All major systems of the body work together in order to keep this number as consistent as possible. When you consider a food combination diet, the idea is that you are lessening some of the work that your body has to do to maintain balance.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hTjFzF Alkaline and Acidic Foods Step 11.jpg|center]]
	#* Be aware of a food’s PRAL or “potential renal acid load” score. Simply put, a food can be acidic in composition, but can change to alkaline when you ingest it. Lemons and tomatoes are good examples of this transition. So, it may be helpful to print out a alkaline/acid reference sheet when shopping.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hOt8v0;		#* Be aware of a food’s PRAL or “potential renal acid load” score. Simply put, a food can be acidic in composition, but can change to alkaline when you ingest it. Lemons and tomatoes are good examples of this transition. So, it may be helpful to print out a alkaline/acid reference sheet when shopping.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hOt8v0;
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	*For people on-the-go or without access to fresh produce, green supplements (freeze-dried fruits and vegetables) may be another option. They help to increase the alkaline levels in your body, just not to the same extent as their fresh counterparts.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hTnjtm;		*For people on-the-go or without access to fresh produce, green supplements (freeze-dried fruits and vegetables) may be another option. They help to increase the alkaline levels in your body, just not to the same extent as their fresh counterparts.<ref>http://ift.tt/2hTnjtm;
	== Warnings ==		== Warnings ==
		+	*The health advantages offered by this diet are not supported by science based evidence , but the recommendation to include more fruits and vegetables is always a good choice.
		+	*There are good studies to show that eating an excess of acid-forming foods (for most people that means a lot of meat) can result in bone loss, because the body will pull calcium out of the bone.  Alkaline-forming foods, mainly fruits and veggies, have a positive effect on bone retention.
	*Eating out may be a challenge. Go online and look at restaurant menus in advance. Order meals with as few ingredients as possible, making it easier to track the alkaline/acidic balance.		*Eating out may be a challenge. Go online and look at restaurant menus in advance. Order meals with as few ingredients as possible, making it easier to track the alkaline/acidic balance.
	== Related wikiHows ==		== Related wikiHows ==

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