The Alkaline/pH Diet

The Alkaline Diet

Also known as the pH diet, alkaline ash diet, or alkaline acid diet.

The Alkaline diet is popular with many celebrities, and is reported to aid weight-loss and also help with conditions, such as: indigestion and arthritis. Followers have also reported feeling more energetic and youthful as well!
Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss are reported as having successfully used the alkaline/acid diet.

Alkaline or acid
The theory behind the pH diet is that all digested food leaves a mineral residue, or alkaline ash, in the body, which is either acid or alkaline. Followers of the Alkaline diet believe that it is healthier for our bodies to be alkaline, so therefore it is better to avoid acid-forming foods, such as: refined and processed foods, sugar, meat, dairy, white bread, pasta, sweets, alcohol and trans fats. Foods such as green vegetables and most fruits are considered a better choice, as once digested, they apparently leave an alkaline residue.

Developers of the pH diet believe that in order to neutralise the acid from such foods, and to maintain a natural pH level the body is forced to leach important minerals, like calcium and magnesium from our bones.

The diet's aim is to eat around 75-80% of alkaline foods, alongside 20-25% acidifying foods. This level should result in a slightly alkaline pH in the body, which for followers of the Alkaline diet is considered ideal for maintaining good health.

What foods does the Alkaline diet suggest?

Main ingredients of diet : natural whole foods, including: nuts (not peanuts or cashews), seeds, whole grains, beans, vegetables, certain fruits (lemons, lime, watermelon, grapefruit, tomato, avocado), salads, chickpeas, coconuts, almonds and spices.

Alkalizing drinks, like spring water and green tea are an important part of this diet. It is recommended that you drink two litres of water daily, infused with lemon juice and a special vegetable powder daily, plus green and herb teas. Unusually, citrus fruits, such as the lemon, have an alkaline effect on the body.

Butter and full-cream milk is allowed in small amounts, and for cooking purposes use virgin olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oil.

General avoidance of processed foods, caffeine, white sugar, white flour, tea, coffee, alcohol or dairy products throughout the diet.

A day on the Alkaline diet might look like this:

Breakfast

• peaches, coconut and soya yogurt or
• raspberries, coconut and green tea or
• grapefruit and watermelon

Lunch

• a salad with sprouted chickpeas, raw spinach, almonds and beetroot or
• butternut squash soup or
• gazpacho

Dinner

• green minty spinach soup or
• a veggie Thai green curry or
• quinoa and sweet potato curry

Advantages of the diet

The diet consists of healthy whole foods, fresh vegetables, especially dark, leafy, and green veg and fruit, and avoids processed food.

Disadvantages

It is suggested that followers check their body's acidity with urine testing strips, or blood tests, which can prove expensive.

The pH diet has proved controversial with doctors and nutritionists who say that the body can maintain an alkaline level by itself.

A vegan style diet does not generally provide all the vitamins, such as retinol - the animal form of vitamin A - which is important for wound healing, cell repair and eyesight, or vitamin B12, which is needed to prevent anaemia or vitamin K2.

Consult your doctor or medical professional before beginning any diet or exercise plan.