Alkalizing Fruits & Vegetables
There are both alkalizing and acid forming foods. Foods that create an acidic balance in the body include dairy, meats, foods with saturated fats and alcohol. Foods that have an alkalizing effect on the body are mostly a selection of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and healthy oils like flax, olive or avocado oils.
Some proponents of alkaline diets claim that we should all eat 70 percent alkaline foods and 30 percent acidic foods to create the proper balance in our body for optimum health and energy. One way to increase the amount of alkalizing foods you eat is to focus your diet on more fruits and vegetables.
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Alkalizing Greens
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There are numerous greens that are considered alkalizing. With a PH scale from 0 to 14, foods with a PH of 7 or lower are considered alkalizing. Greens like kale, spinach, beet greens, mustard greens and watercress are all alkalizing vegetables.
Most of the heartier greens are delicious served sauteed. Add a teaspoon of olive oil into a saute pan and increase the heat to medium high. Add the greens and saute until soft. Greens like spinach or watercress only need a couple of minutes of wilting while the more hearty greens like beet or mustard greens and kale need a few minutes of cooking to soften. Right after cooking, you can add a squeeze of lemon and season with sea salt and fresh ground pepper.
Alkalizing Cruciferous Vegetables
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Cruciferous vegetables are considered alkalizing. These vegetables include cauliflower, broccoli, broccoli rabe. They are common vegetables found in an alkaline based diet.
These vegetables are best served steamed or roasted. Steam cauliflower or broccoli florets for 5 minutes and add a squeeze of lemon with salt and pepper to season. To roast, toss the florets in olive oil, salt and pepper and place on a roasting pan. Roast for 25 minutes at 425 degrees F.
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Alkalizing Citrus
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It may be strange to think that a citrus fruit is alkalizing rather than acid forming, but all citrus fruit are alkalizing. Grapefruits or oranges are perfect to start off your breakfast. Cut a grapefruit in half and squeeze alkalizing honey on top.
Lemon, limes and tangerines add a delicious fresh taste to ice water. Add a squeeze of citrus to any mild seltzer water or carbonated water.
Alkalizing Melons
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Melons like cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew are alkalizing. Take a slice of melon and squeeze on a fresh wedge of lime. Keep chunks of melon ice cold in the fridge to snack on during the day.
Alkalizing Berries
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Choose blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries if you are looking for alkalizing berries. Berries are delicious if sprinkled fresh on oatmeal or cereal in the morning. They are also delicious eaten with plain yogurt with some chopped almonds and honey squeezed on top.
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