The alkaline diet is the one that lowers the levels of acidic compounds in body by reducing the intake of foods that contain high levels of acid, such as meat, dairy and potatoes. The pH level of a food determines whether it is alkaline or acidic; foods with a pH level of seven or less are classified as acidic while a pH level over seven are alkaline foods.
The purpose of alkaline diet/foods is to neutralize the level of acid in the body. Increasing the body’s alkalinity helps the body to function more efficiently; it gradually makes your body healthy and can also lead to a sound weight loss. People who undertake weight loss programs lose weight, but tend to gain it back once they go back to a normal diet. High alkaline diet, as opposed to other weight loss diets, keeps the weight off for longer. Here are the foods that make an alkaline diet.
Vegetables
Fresh vegetables make a major portion of an alkaline diet and there is no limit to these. Alkaline vegetables include cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, spinach, peas, turnip greens, broccoli, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cucumbers and legumes.
Fruits
Unlike most weight loss diets, there is not much contribution of fruits in the alkaline diet. When you are on this diet, you cannot eat fruits in excess but alone and before a large meal. As fruits are high in sugar content naturally and become acidic as soon as they are digested, you should never eat them after a large meal. The fruits that are acceptable in an alkaline diet are apples, berries, cherries, grapes, lemons, limes, mango, melons, oranges, pineapples, tomatoes and raisins.
Beverages
You can drink beverages such as fresh vegetable and fruit juices. Herbal tea, green tea, distilled water, soy milk and lemon water can help make up an alkaline diet.
Proteins and Fats
Seeds, grains, nuts, oils and fats can be included in an alkaline diet. Almonds, lentils, flax seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are some of the excellent protein sources that you can include in the diet. Yoghurt is another acceptable protein source (only if it is low-fat or fat-free), but the other dairy products have to be limited owing to their sugar content.
Other Foods
Avocado, olive, coconut oil, barley, mustard, cinnamon, ginger and herbs are allowed to be eaten as part of an alkaline diet. Besides, you need to avoid the foods that produce acids in the body.
To get the best out of the alkaline foods, they should be consumed raw. You can make more salads to enjoy vegetables in their raw form. Any weight loss diet works when it is paired with workouts. Exercise at least 20 minutes a day for an alkaline diet to work the best.
Before starting any diet, it is advised to talk to your doctor about it. Discuss with him how you can follow the diet or include foods in your diet. Moreover, you will know several aspects of the diet, including benefits, risks and dangers.
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