The Best Alkali-Forming Foods

Some health-conscious people believe eating high-alkaline food and avoiding high-acid food improves health and prevents disease. The traditional American or Western diet is considered highly acidic because it contains a lot of meat, dairy and refined sugar. Some believe there's a connection between this type of diet and poor health. Plant-based foods are considered alkali-forming and are usually considered healthy. Alkaline foods are categorized as high, moderately and low alkali-forming.

Vegetables

• Vegetables are one of the most important foods in an alkali-forming diet. They're never considered acidic and many are highly alkaline. The best alkali-forming vegetables include broccoli, asparagus, onions and raw spinach. Moderate alkali-forming vegetables include zucchini, okra, squash, green beans, beets, celery and lettuce. Vegetables higher in sugar content are low alkali-forming and include carrots, tomatoes and fresh corn. Cabbage, cauliflower, peas and turnips are also low alkali-forming.

Fruit

• Fruits included in the highly alkalizing category include mangoes, grapefruit, lemons, limes and papayas. Lemons and limes contain acid, but when digested actually alkalize the body. Moderately alkali-forming fruits include melons, grapes, kiwi, apples, pears and berries. Pineapples, peaches, cherries, oranges and bananas are all low alkali-forming foods. Fruits are sweeter and higher in sugar content than vegetables, making them a healthy, alkalizing option for satisfying a sweet tooth.

Nuts, Beans, Seeds and Grains

• High-alkaline dieters risk lowering their protein and healthy fat consumption too much, so it's important for them to include nuts, beans, whole grains and seeds in their diets. These foods are low alkali-forming or, at least not very acidic, but should still be consumed in moderation. The best options include soybeans and tofu, brown rice, whole grain breads, sunflower and sesame seeds, and kidney beans.

Other Considerations

• Consuming a lot of alkali-forming foods is an easy way to lose weight and improve your health. Whether the alkaline foods prevent or eliminate disease is debatable, but following an alkaline diet is a healthy way of eating. Increasing vegetable consumption is a good idea, regardless of concerns about acid or alkaline foods. Building a healthy alkali-forming diet is as simple as limiting dairy products, especially whole milk, cream and cheese; occasionally eating low acid-forming animal foods such as liver, venison and oysters; and avoiding beef and highly processed foods such as snacks and sweets.