Developing An Alkaline Diet

Our bodies function best in a slightly alkaline state. Alkaline basically means "less acidic", meaning that we want to avoid having too much acid built up in our systems at one time.

The first step to developing an alkaline diet that promotes this balance is to figure out what your current pH is.  The easiest way to assess your body's pH is to regularly test the pH of your first morning urine.

How To Test Your Urine's pH:

  1. Use pH hydrion test paper. This test tape measures acid-alkaline states and is usually marked in one-half point divisions from at least 5.5 to 8.0. You should be able to purchase pH hydrion test paper at most health food stores.
  2. Conduct the test first thing in the morning.
  3. Wet the paper by either urinating directly on the test tape, or urinating into a clean cup and dipping the paper into the cup.
  4. As the tape is moistened, it will turn colors. Match the color of the test paper to the color chart that was included with the test. The color will coordinate with a number that indicates whether you are in an acid or alkaline state.

Write this number down so that you can make note of your starting point and monitor your progress as you work toward an alkaline state. Ideally, your first morning urine pH should be between 6.5 and 7.5. If your pH is below 6.5, then you need to work on developing an alkaline diet.

In the rare case that you would consistently measure a pH of 7.5 or higher, you contact your doctor about possible health problems that need to be addressed. 

If the pH of your early morning urine is below 6.5, you should take steps to alkalize your diet.

How to Develop an Alkaline Diet

1. Eat foods that are most alkaline, such as sea salt, sea vegetables, sweet potato/yam, lentils, broccoli, pumpkin seed, and fruits like lime, watermelon and raspberries.

2. Avoid foods that are most acid forming, including jams, ice cream, walnuts, beef, table salt, beer, sugar and processed flour.

3. Strive for two cups of alkalinizing vegetables at both lunch and dinner like broccoli, asparagus, mustard greens, cauliflower and eggplant.

4. Use predominately alkaline-forming spices and herbs when cooking instead of table salt.

5. Eliminate acid forming beverages like coffee, alcohol, black tea, soda, or drinks sweetened with aspartame.

Remember that it may take time to get your body into a slightly alkaline state. Your pH is a measure of your body's reserve of alkaline minerals, and it can take a while to rebuild these reserves once their depleted. It probably took years to get your body into an unhealthy acidic state, so it's natural for it to take a few months to restore yourself to a more healthy balance.

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