What are the Best Foods to Improve Alkaline Balance?
The body requires proper pH (potential hydrogen) balance to remain healthy. This means it should neither be too alkaline or too acid. Ideal balance is 7 or 7.5, on the pH scale of 0 to 14. There are saliva testing strips available at most health food stores. By following the manufacturer's instructions, on the package, you can find where you fit on the scale. The normal American diet puts most of us on the acid side of optimum, on the testing strips. However, it is not just what alkaline foods you eat, but also what acid foods you give up that can improve alkaline balance.
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Vegetables
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Almost all vegetables produce alkalinity in your system. However, the highest alkaline vegetables include: onions, asparagus, parsley, raw spinach, garlic and broccoli. Stay away from cooked spinach, potatoes without the skins, pickled vegetables and several beans (kidney, navy, lima and string), which are acidic.
Fruit
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High alkaline fruits include: lemons, limes, watermelon, grapefruit, papayas and mangos. Other fruits still within the safe alkaline category are: grapes, kiwi, blueberries, apples, raisins, pears, figs and dates.
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Oils
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Flaxseed, olive and canola oils are all preferred alkaline based oils. Whenever possible choose cold pressed oils over chemically induced oils.
Meats
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Although meats are acidic based, remember than you are working towards a balance, not total alkalinity. The least acidic meats are coldwater fish and venison. Turkey, chicken and lamb come in as next lowest acidic meats.
Sweeteners
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Stevia ranks highest in the alkaline range. We are starting to see products containing stevia in the grocery store as before you could only purchase it at a health food store. Maple syrup and rice syrup come in second on the alkaline list of sweeteners.
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