Note for those not familiar with the pH scale

The pH scale measures whether or not a substance is an acid or alkaline: An acid has a pH of less than 7. The lower the pH the stronger the acid. pH 7 is neutral. An alkaline has a pH of more than 7. The highest pH is 14, which is the strongest alkaline.

You are what you eat?

-This saying is not accurate. It’s not really true either. However, what is accurate and true is ‘You are what you digest and absorb.’

Take, for instance, the example of fruits. They have an acid pH, but after eating and digesting, many types of fruits absorbed into the body then become alkaline. They give an alkaline ash residue.

Any foods that give an alkaline ash residue when absorbed into the body are called alkaline foods. Foods that give an acid ash residue when absorbed into the body are called acid foods. It is important to distinguish the differences when choosing a healthy diet.

Getting it right…

Ideally, for optimum nutrition a good diet should strike a balance between 80%/20% alkaline/acid foods respectively. Ideally, your pH should be around 7.4. Before I list what foods are available to strike this right ratio in favour of the alkaline diet, it has been well noted that many people are out of balance. The reason being that there has been a rise over the years of not so good, or even downright poor nutrition, such as those containing trans-fats, certain saturated fats, refined sugars, starchy carbohydrates…This has given rise to higher acid foods and a predominantly more acid ash residue in the body. It comes as no surprise to me that the rise in acid foods correlates with the increase of the major life-threatening illnesses, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes…over the last 60 years or so.

So what are the possible benefits of an alkaline diet?

*     Feel more alive and alert

*     More able to concentrate better

*     Far less prone to mood swings…

*     Need less sleep

*     Feel more willing to do exercise

*     Serves as a strong prevention against disease

*     Slows down the ageing process

The Alkaline diet Includes:

The vegetables

Spinach, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, celery, cucumber, lettuce, courgette, cabbage, greens, swede, squash (summer, butternut, yellow etc), peppers, chilli, tomato, onion, garlic, chickpeas, pinto beans, kidney beans, spring onions, root ginger, and aquatic vegetables such as sea kelp and sea dulse.

Salad Recommendations

Avocado, celery, cucumber, dandelion greens, kale, lettuce, rocket, spinach, walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts…i.e. any nuts accept cashews and peanuts. Seeds of different sorts such as pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, flax or any sprouted seed… and watercress.

Some Herbs and Spices…

Basil, parsley, coriander, ginger, garlic and dandelion greens…

Grasses Include

Barley, wheat, oat and lemon etc…

Some Necessary Fats

Flaxseed or linseed oil, olive oil, avocado oil, evening primrose oil…

For Fruits…

Banana, Tomato, grapefruit, lemon, lime…

Sprouted Seeds

Broccoli sprouts, Chinese bean sprouts, adzuki beans, lentils, chickpea…

Some Dips and Sauces

–But be careful of the contents. Watch out for the additives, preservatives…etc if any, from the factory processes. Humus, guacamole, pesto…are excellent.

Drinks

Vegetable juice, ionised water and green tea…

-Paul Phillips