Our resident nutritionist Jan Marie, will be giving us the low down on alkalising foods, how we can alkalise our body, and why we should be doing it!
Alka-what-now?
Alkalising can be an important component of the overall health of our body, and the food that we eat plays a huge role. pH levels measure how acidic or alkaline something is, with a pH of 7 being neutral. Levels vary generally throughout the body; the blood is typically slightly alkaline at around 7.35, and the stomach stays quite acidic to break down food at around 3.5.
While acid-forming foods can cause inflammation in the body, research shows alkaline foods or anti-inflammatory diets can help with already existing inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases. Unfortunately for us, acid-forming foods are our typical indulgence foods. Think refined foods and sugars, hydrogenated oils/fats, meat, dairy, alcohol, and coffee, which all cause inflammation and make existing inflammatory conditions worse.
Alkaline foods are mostly fruits and vegetables, and good quality filtered water. In the moderately acidic range sit nuts, legumes, and seeds. But don’t worry, we can still eat acidic foods! Balance is key and implementing an 80/20 ratio is a good way to keep maintain that balance, so indulge 20% from the acidic list, and counter with 80% alkalising foods.
My favourite way to keep this balance is by having a daily green juice. It’s a great way to alkalise the body, and the minerals are better absorbed by the body when juiced. I pack mine with every green thing I have: celery, cucumber, kale, spinach, parsley, mint, and lemon. These other ingredients will also help you alkalise:
- Lemon and water
- Apple cider vinegar
- Chlorophyll
- Chlorella or spirulina extract in water
Now you know why you should be doing this, check out these juicy recipes to get you on track and alkalise that body!
A greenie goodness juice – yes please!
This cooling avocado soup has alkaline-forming ingredients like cucumber, avocado, and garlic:
Quinoa, asparagus and broccolini salad has a heap of alkaline-forming ingredients and would be a perfect side for grilled fish:
Try this hangover remedy, with alkalising lime and beetroot and activated charcoal, to detoxify:
None of us are perfect, so if you happened to enjoy one too many Aperol spritzes last, we won’t judge 😉
