What is the Alkaline Diet?

What is the Alkaline Diet?

In a recent episode of his popular Dr Oz Show, Dr Mehmet Oz has been discussing the weight loss benefits of the Alkaline Diet.

What is the Alkaline Diet though, and what makes it so popular amongst celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Aniston, who have all been shown to be fans of this diet?

What is the Alkaline Diet?

The Alkaline Diet is basically a diet that recommends that you eat more alkaline-promoting foods, while avoiding acid-forming foods.

The reason for this is that it is believed that acidic foods will cause an acid buildup within your body that causes you to become more vulnerable to weight gain.

Dr Oz had this to say about foods rich in acid:

“These foods create this toxic acid that’s putting you at risk for diabetes, kidney damage, and weight gain”

Weight loss is not the only benefit of the Alkaline Diet as it is also believed to reduce the risk of disease.

Benefits of the Alkaline DietToo much acid in your body is said to create a breeding ground for disease, which is why Dr Oz believes you should be eating a diet that consists of 80% alkaline foods and 20% acidic foods.

What can you eat on the Alkaline Diet?

Despite what you may think finding out whether a food is acidic or alkaline has little to do with taste, but rather its affect on your body.

It may be hard to believe but a lemon will taste acidic but it causes an alkaline effect once consumed.

Here are some alkaline foods you should consider adding to your diet if you want to prevent weight gain while promoting good health:

  • Lemons/Limes
  • Tropical fruit such as Papaya, Grapefruit and Mango
  • Green vegetables such as Avocado, Spinach, Celery and Parsley
  • Gluten-free grains like Quinoa
  • Spices such as Cinnamon and Ground Ginger

What foods should you avoid on the Alkaline Diet?

There are 3 groups of foods that are acid-producing and can potentially cause acid overload.

You don’t have to avoid these acid-producing foods, although it is recommended that you try to eat two or more alkaline foods to every acidic food.

The 3 acid-producing groups are:

  • Refined carbs like flour and pasta
  • High-fat dairy products such as butter and cheese
  • Animal proteins like red meat and poultry

Will anything else help neutralise the acid?

Of course cutting back on the amount of acidic foods you consume will reduce the acid build up. There are however some more tips that can help to neutralise the acid before it becomes a problem.

Here are a few simple tips you could try:

1. Before you eat an acid-producing food such as ice cream for example, you should drink a cup of water with lemon as this will cut down on the acid overload.

2. To neutralise the acid build up and for various other health benefits (weight loss, aid digestion and reduce blood sugar spikes) drink some cinnamon tea.

3. Sprinkle alkaline-producing spices such as paprika, chilli powder, dried parsley and curry powder on any acidic foods to neutralise the acid.

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