PH Balanced Diet
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Alkaline Foods and Their Effects
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First rule of thumb: eat more alkaline foods. If it's green, the food is likely alkaline. The chart in the resources section which lists alkaline foods shows mostly green foods. Leafy greens and other vegetables are great alkaline foods, as they are low on the pH scale while also very low in calories. Additionally, these foods are high in minerals and nutrients. One reason authors Molly Siple and Deborah Gordon speculate in their book, "Menopause the Natural Way," that the North American diet is too acidic is due to a lack of leafy greens and vegetables and a high consumption of processed foods. Thus, when maintaining a Ph diet, incorporate as many "green" foods into your meals as possible. This can be through salads, side vegetables, or even substituting high-acidic foods (like pasta) for alkaline foods (like zucchini strips) in recipes.
Choose any herbal supplements carefully. Some proponents of the pH diet suggest taking alkaline herbs to balance the pH of your body. A healthy diet does not necessarily correlate to spending more: research all claims of herbal supplements carefully, and work with a dietician or naturopath before deciding on any alkaline herbal supplements. Because the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements, those trained in herbalism or nutrition can provide more insight on which one will work best for you.
Acidic Foods and Their Effects
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If the food is processed, fried or fatty, the food is likely acidic and should be eaten sparingly. The most common culprits of over-acidifying your body (as indicated by a pH level lower than 7.0) are dairy, meat, sugar and junk foods like potato chips and cookies. Authors Bharti Vyas and Suzanne Le Quesne explain that a diet too high in acidic foods causes low energy, poor skin and dull hair. You do not have to give up any one food item completely, but limiting your quantity of these foods will yield positive health benefits like shedding pounds, increased energy and mental clarity.
Not all acidic foods should be avoided. With the exception of a few fatty fruits (like avocado) most fruits are acidic, as are nuts. Given the nutritional properties of fruit which include essential vitamins and minerals, the word "acidic" should not be associated with "bad." The health benefits of fruit-based acidic foods are irrefutable: the American Cancer Society correlates a high fruit intake with a lower risk of cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses.
Listen to Your Body
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No guide exists which specifies definitive guidelines, like "for every 4 cups of leafy greens, eat one cup of fruit." Such a guideline would be misguided and wouldn't address your specific dietary needs. Therefore, listening to your body is one of the most important (yet intangible) tips when following a pH diet.
Tips for listening to your body include keeping hydrated and chewing slowly to determine true hunger: if you are hungry, consciously plan your snacks and meals. Add plenty green foods and couple it with a healthy, acid-based food like fruit or nuts. The same principles of good health (maximize consumption of fruits, greens and vegetables while limiting the intake of junk food) easily applies to the pH diet.
To determine your body's pH level, strips can be purchased which measure urine or saliva (see Resources). Use these strips every other month to determine your pH level and adjust your diet accordingly.
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