Trying to go alkaline? It’s easier when you know which foods help your body stay get to and stay in an alkaline state. A general rule of thumb is that you can eat these foods without worrying about any acidic effect they’ll have, although some are more alkaline than others. It isn’t necessary to eat only alkaline foods in order to get body’s pH levels to be alkaline, and a certain percentage of foods can be acidic, but it’s best if they’re natural, whole foods like fruits.
1. Almonds & Almond Milk
Almonds consistently rank on the list of healthiest foods to eat, so it’s no wonder that they’re also an alkaline food. They’ve also been linked to increased muscle gain, a lowering of cholesterol levels, and are able to assist with fat loss. You don’t have to eat a lot of almonds in order to enjoy their benefits, but they do make a great snack that you can take anywhere and can help you between meals.
Top stats (per 100g):
Calcium – 27%
Iron – 25%
Protein – 44%
2. Amaranth
This is a grain that not many people are familiar with, but that makes a great addition to any alkaline-focused diet plan. In addition to being an alkaline forming food, it’s also known for its relatively high levels of protein for a grain, and it’s full of vitamins and minerals that are essential for overall health. If you’re not sure how to prepare it for you and your family, there are plenty of recipes available to bring you up to speed.
Top stats (per 100g):
Calcium – 16%
Iron – 42%
Protein – 14g
3. Artichokes
Artichokes are often seen on top of salads, or used in a dip, but there are a number of reasons why you can bring them to the forefront of your diet. One of those reasons is their alkalinity, helping to raise your body’s pH levels. They’re also full of antioxidants, help to purify the liver, and aid in digestion. So having a salad with leafy greens and topped with a hearty amount of artichokes is a great idea.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 20%
Vitamin K – 12%
Folates – 17%
4. Arugula
Here’s a leafy green that’s worth getting to know. Arugula is often used as part of a detox diet plan, and the fact that it’s an alkaline food is a big part of that. This is full of Vitamin A and has an impressive amount of calcium in it as well. We usually associate dairy products with calcium, but here is a non-dairy way to make sure you’re getting enough. Add arugula to your cart next time you go shopping
Top stats (per 100g):
Calcium – 16%
Vitamin A – 47%
Iron – 8%
5. Asparagus
Asparagus has an alkaline effect on the body, and it just so happens that it’s one of the strongest foods you can eat in terms of alkalinity. Each food is ranked according to how alkaline it is, and asparagus is one of the “big dogs”. But it brings a lot more than that to the table, including antioxidants, nutrients, and plenty of detoxifying qualities. It’s even been noted that asparagus has anti-aging benefits, which is enough for most people to start adding more of it to their menu.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 15%
Vitamin C – 9%
Iron – 12%
6. Avocado & Avocado Oil
It’s no surprise that avocado is on our list of alkaline foods. It’s managed to make it onto our list of superfoods as well, so you know it’s packing a nutritional punch. Avocados are high in potassium as well as healthy fat, so in addition to helping you be more alkaline, you’re getting other perks as well. You can also use avocado oil in favor of other oils that don’t provide any alkaline benefit, or worse are acid-forming in the body.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 17%
Vitamin A – 3%
Fiber – 27%
7. Basil
You might not have thought that the herbs and spices you use on your food have an effect on how alkaline or acidic your pH levels are. But as it turns out there are good spices and bad spices. Basil happens to be one of the ones that helps keep you alkaline, and it also has plenty of other things going for it, such as the flavonoids it contains. These help the body to heal and basil in general can help with several different areas of the body.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 175%
Vitamin K – 345%
Calcium – 18%
8. Beetroot
Beetroot gets more attention now than ever before, and it’s one of the foods out there that will act to help raise your pH levels. The reason it’s an important vegetable to include in your arsenal is because it’s one of the only sources of the phytonutrient betalain which may have anti-cancer properties. Add these as a side, or use them as a salad topper. Be sure to buy this one fresh and steam it, as the pickled variety has reduced nutritional value.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 8%
Vitamin K – 11%
Folate – 75%
9. Broccoli
This is a quintessential healthy food and it’s easy to understand that it’s an alkaline food. Broccoli is one of those vegetables that has so much going on you simply have to make an extra effort to get more of it into your system. Some people eat broccoli every day as a way to maintain good health and make sure they’re on the alkaline side. You at least want to eat it multiple times a week, with 3 or 4 times being a good rule of thumb.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 135%
Vitamin A – 11%
Calcium – 4%
10. Brussels Sprouts
Maybe you left your Brussels sprouts on your plate untouched as a child, but it’s time to get over it and learn to like these healthy vegetables. They’ve been shown to be able to help the body break down the acids caused by acid-forming foods, which boosts your pH levels and helps you get to or maintain an alkaline state. In addition to that, they’re also packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, so they make a great side dish to any meal. It’s best to buy them fresh and steam them.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 142%
Vitamin A – 15%
Iron – 8%
11. Buckwheat
Buckwheat gets mentioned a lot in health food circles because it doesn’t contain wheat, but has a similar texture when it’s in noodle form. Great for gluten-free followers. It’s also an alkaline food, so you can eat it without worrying if it will be acidic in your system. It’s also a surprisingly good source of protein, and has a decent amount of iron in it as well. If you’ve never used buckwheat in your cooking before, there are plenty of recipes available to get your feet wet.
Top stats (per 100g):
Iron – 12%
Calcium – 2%
Protein – 13.3g
12. Cabbage
If you don’t like the taste of cabbage, keep an open mind. It could be that you just haven’t found a good recipe for it. It’s really easy to cook cabbage poorly, so give it another try if it’s on your Do Not Eat list. In addition to its alkalinity, it’s also been shown to be very effective in preventing as well as reversing certain cancers. Add to it the fiber content, and the low caloric load, and it’s a winner for just about every diet out there.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 54%
Vitamin A – 3%
Calcium – 5%
13. Carrot
Carrots are good for the eyes, but their overall effect is also an alkaline one. This makes them doubly good to eat, and they are tasty both raw, and steamed so they’re easier to chew up. Aside from the assist to the eyes, carrots also have plenty of vitamins, fiber, and potassium, making them a very well-rounded veggie. So make like Bugs Bunny and be sure to get your carrot fix every now and then.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 336%
Vitamin C – 10%
Calcium – 3%
14. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is in the same vegetable family as broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and shares many of the same healthy characteristics, including being an alkaline food. It has a good amount of fiber, and it’s a great non-fruit source of Vitamin C. It’s also very easy to prepare, but to keep as much of its alkaline nature as possible, eat it raw on salads or steam it until it’s tender and easy to eat. If you’re stuck on ideas for how to prepare it and
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 77%
Calcium – 2%
Iron – 2%
15. Celery
You’ve got to love celery, even if you don’t necessarily love the taste. In addition to being an alkaline food it’s also very low in calories, and can help you body with a host of different benefits. If you don’t like crunching it up and having the strands get stuck in your teeth, pulverize it in a blender while you’re making a green smoothie. It also plays well in a fruit smoothie, adding a bit of spiciness without overshadowing the fruit flavors.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 4%
Vitamin C – 2%
Calcium – 2%
16. Chia
You might not think that these little seeds could pack such a nutritional punch, or have any effect on your body’s pH levels, but it turns out that they help with your alkalinity. The nice thing about them is you can sprinkle them on just about anything. Think about making a soup out of the veggies on this list, and then sprinkling in some chia seeds for good measure. Or add them to a smoothie to help tip it to the alkaline side. Be creative!
Top stats (per 100g):
Iron – 20%
Calcium – 20%
Vitamin A – 10%
17. Chives
It’s time to increase your intake of chives, and since they don’t typically find their way onto the plate, you’ll have to seek them out. They can assist the body because their alkaline producing, and they also do a good job of flavoring up a meal, so you can think of new ways to use them. One good thing they can go on is new potatoes, which makes this alkaline list and would provide you with additional nutritional benefits.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 3%
Vitamin C – 3%
18. Cilantro
Here’s another fantastic way to add big amounts of taste to your plate, while also helping to tip your body towards being and staying alkaline. It’s hard to imagine that these little guys can make a difference, but they’re not only alkaline-forming, they can help with cholesterol, anemia, and digestion. It’s easy enough to use it in your cooking, and you can even get herb gardens for you home and grow it organically. There’s no need to eat massive amounts of it, since it combines nicely with other foods found on this page.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 1%
Calcium – 1%
Iron – 2%
19. Coconut
Coconut is such a natural food that it’s no surprise that much of what’s inside is good for you. The health benefits of coconut milk, juice, and flesh are all well-documented, and now you can add alkalinity to its list of features. It’s sometimes hard to think of ways to add more coconut into your life, since you’ll want to avoid the packaged coconuts shavings used in baking. You’ll want to stick to things like coconut oil, and fresh coconut flesh in order to reap the rewards.
Top stats (per 100g):
Iron – 11%
Vitamin C – 4%
Calcium – 1%
20. Collard Greens
Collard greens are a staple soul food, and this is one vegetable to get familiar with if you’re not already. Being a green, it’s swinging some serious alkaline might, and in addition to that it made our list of top cancer fighting foods, which is no coincidence since the two go hand in hand. Add to that the whopping amount of Vitamin A it contains, and a list of other vitamins and nutrients and it’s just begging to be eaten.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 230%
Vitamin C – 20%
Calcium – 20%
21. Cucumber
Here’s a heavy hitter that you’ll want to keep a stock of in your refrigerator. It’s alkaline, and contains so much water that it’s a very hydrating vegetable. Keep the peels on for the best results, but if that’s just too much for you one way to split the difference is to just peel strips of the peel off, creating a sort of pinwheel effect. this not only adds to the presentation but also makes it healthier for you.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 2%
Vitamin A – 1%
Calcium – 1%
22. Cumin
Cumin is one of those spices that you either have in your home, or you don’t, depending on the type of food you’re used to cooking. If you already use it often, just keep it up, but if you’re not too familiar with it, it’s time to add it to your cart the next time you’re out shopping. It’s a spice that can actually help your body neutralize the acidic foods you eat, which means that it’s going to have a doubling effect when used in conjunction with vegetables and other alkaline foods.
Top stats (per 100g):
Iron – 8%
Calcium – 2%
Vitamin A – 1%
23. Dandelion
You’ll just have to get over the fact that this is considered a pesky weed in most lawns. The flower and the root are both very nutritious, and while it may take a bit of effort to start incorporating it into meals, it’s worth it. It’s an alkaline food, no doubt, and also has a detoxifying effect on the body. One other major bonus is that it can help to lower your blood pressure, so much so that it found its way onto our list of foods that help lower blood pressure.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 54%
Vitamin C – 32%
Calcium – 10%
24. Eggplant
Eggplant is a versatile vegetable to add to your basket each time you’re veggie shopping. It also provides an alkaline effect, and are one of the foods that you can eat as much as you’d like. They’re low in calories, will help to fill you up and keep you feeling full, and will help balance out some of the acidic foods you eat each day. And talk about having a ton of recipes, it’s one of the most popular vegetables, with side dishes and entree recipes galore.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 3%
Calcium – 1%
Iron – 1%
25. Endive
This is the first time that endive has made it onto one of our lists, as it is usually lumped together with “leafy greens”. But its alkaline power is high enough to give it its own credit. It can be a bit bitter for some palates, while others prefer the taste because it shakes things up from the usual spinach and romaine lettuce. No matter how you end up eating it, whether in a salad or blended up in a green smoothie, you’ll be doing the body a favor.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 11%
Vitamin C – 3%
Calcium – 1%
26. Flax Oil & Flax Seeds
There are plenty of benefits to flax, both in seed form and in oil form, and one of those is its ability to help the body stay alkaline. The seeds are easy enough to sprinkle on just about any dish, and don’t really have much of a flavor of their own, so you can add them without worrying about changing the dynamic of your meal. They also blend easily into a smoothie. You can use the oil to cook with, and it will help nutritious veggies become even more nutritious.
Top stats (per 100g):
Iron – 46%
Calcium – 37%
Vitamin C – 2%
27. Garlic
Garlic has long been known to be a cleansing food, and one that can add flavor to a meal, but it also helps if you’re trying to follow an alkaline diet. It’s a big help in fighting cancer, or staving it off, and also helps to lower blood pressure. It also helps to detoxify the body, so you’re getting multiple benefits just by adding more garlic to the mix. Try stir frying alkaline vegetables with a couple of cloves of garlic. Yum!
Top stats (per clove):
Vitamin C – 2%
28. Ginger
Ginger is a root that is becoming more popular as more people realize all of its health benefits. Ginger is a superfood, and has plenty of detoxing properties. It’s also an alkaline food, so it’s something that you can add to a meal and know that it’s only helping it to be alkaline for you. It is so impressive that we did a full ginger benefits list on it. There are also plenty of recipes featured here that include ginger as an ingredient.
Top stats (per tsp):
Potassium – 8mg
29. Gluten Free Breads
With the gluten-free trend rising it’s becoming easier and easier to find gluten-free breads in stores, and this is a great way to get the taste and texture of bread without having to have it contribute to your acidity. While these may not be the alkaline powerhouse that cucumbers and spinach are, they are slightly alkaline so they’ll tip the balance in your favor. You’ll notice that all of the alkaline foods on our list are also gluten-free.
Top stats:
Varies by brand.
30. Goat’s Milk
You may have noticed that this list of alkaline foods is devoid of any dairy products, except for this one. Goat’s milk is different than cow’s milk, and it’s better-tolerated by most people than cow’s milk. It also reacts differently in the body than cow’s milk does, whereas cow’s milk is acidifying, goat’s milk is slightly alkaline. So while it won’t make a huge difference in how alkaline you are, you can drink it without worrying about its acidity.
Top stats (per 100g):
Calcium – 33%
Vitamin A – 10%
Vitamin C – 5%
31. Grapefruit
Here’s a superstar food that shows up all over the place. It’s a superfood, it helps to lose weight by boosting your metabolism, and it’s even been dubbed one of the healthiest foods on Earth. So what else can this wonderkid do? Turns out it’s also alkaline. Its low sugar count makes this a fruit you can enjoy, even though it may taste sour and acidic, it has an alkalizing effect on the body once consumed.
Top stats (per half):
Vitamin C – 73%
Calcium – 2%
Iron – 1%
32. Green Beans
Green beans are one of the more popular vegetables, and typically make the rotation as a side dish for many families. And this is great because it’s an alkaline food that also comes with a nice list of other benefits, including being high in fiber, Vitamin C, and potassium. You’re also getting a bit of iron and calcium, so there’s plenty of reasons to eat them. They’re easy to cook and we have plenty of featured recipes for you to get ideas on how to cook them.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 30%
Iron – 6%
Calcium – 4%
33. Herbal Teas
To help you get or stay alkaline you’ll want to avoid regular tea, and stick to the herbal varieties. Ordinary black tea has an acidic effect on the body, as does coffee, so you’ll want to make sure that you’re drinking things like ginger tea, or chamomile tea. One surprising tea that doesn’t make the alkaline list is green tea, as the caffeine means it’s going to be acidic for the body. The surprising part is that green tea has so many antioxidants, it is often brought up as a beneficial beverage and cancer fighting agent.
Top stats:
Varies by type and brand.
34. Kale
You’ve just gotta jump on board the kale train, because it has so many health benefits you’re really missing out on if you don’t. Often brought up in the same sentence as spinach and other leafy greens, kale knocks it out of the park when it comes to its array of vitamins and minerals. Consider its hefty supply of Vitamin A and Vitamin C, and then add to it that you’re getting a calcium top-up, fighting cancer, and getting more fiber. A force to be reckoned with!
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin A – 206%
Vitamin C – 134%
Calcium – 9%
35. Kelp
If you don’t currently eat any kelp or take any kelp supplements, you should consider starting, as this is one of those vegetables that has plenty going for it. It can help to detox the body, and goes great in a green smoothie. It also has a nice mix of vitamins and minerals, and since it comes from the ocean it adds a bit of variety to land-based veggies. The end result is you’re helping your alkaline efforts by getting more kelp.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 15%
Iron – 17%
Calcium – 7%
36. Khorasan Wheat
Here’s one of the few wheat-based items on our alkaline foods list, and it actually does contain gluten in it. The reason it makes it onto the page is that it is digested differently than other wheats, and does not produce the same acidifying results. It also carries with it more iron and protein than regular wheat, so you’re getting a bigger nutritional punch, and also helping to stay on the alkaline side. Look for the brand name Kamut at the store.
Top stats (per 68g):
Iron – 10%
Protein – 8g
37. Leeks
Leeks are often used in soups and other recipes, because they add a bit of oniony flavor without being overpowering. You should consider using leeks more often because they are an alkaline food, and also carry with them a nice mix of nutritional value. They rank pretty highly in Vitamin C for a vegetable, so you’ll be helping to boost your immune system and stay healthy. While not typically eaten on its own, you can steam it and mix it with other vegetables on this page for a good pH boost.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin A – 30%
Vitamin C – 18%
Iron – 10%
38. Lemon
This is a surprising entry on our list because your mouth may be puckering by just reading the word lemon. It’s so sour and tastes so acidic that many believe this must be acid forming. On the contrary, it produces an alkaline response by the body, and it’s very low in sugar so it’s not going to set you back the way sweet fruits do. It also has a cleansing effect on the digestive system, as well as a good dose of Vitamin C so it’s good to use more of it each day.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 51%
Calcium – 2%
Iron – 2%
39. Lentils
Lentils are an often overlooked food that is gaining more notoriety in recent years, after being featured in the best-selling book The Four Hour Body. In addition to being digested slowly by the body, and adding to your fiber intake, it’s also an alkaline food, and has a host of vitamins and minerals it brings to the table. You’ll get the best benefit by cooking them at home rather than buying them in a can, you simply boil them until they’re al dente.
Top stats (per cup):
Iron – 80%
Vitamin C – 14%
Calcium – 11%
40. Lettuce
While many say that regular lettuce is devoid of any nutritional value, it still produces an alkaline effect on the body, so it’s not completely useless. You may be better off with romaine and other varieties that are also alkaline, and bring more nutrition into your system. But the basic idea here is that if you’re eating lettuce of any kind, you’re getting phytonutrients and helping your body get to or stay on the alkaline side of the pH scale.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 2%
Calcium – 1%
Iron – 1%
41. Lima Beans
Lima beans are a rich source of iron, which is why they’re popular for vegetarians and vegans. They’re also packing a good amount of Vitamin C, giving you more than half of what you need for the day without having to resort to eating citrus fruits like oranges. Another nice benefit is that they’re alkaline-forming once eaten, so they can act to counter other acidic foods, or help keep you grounded on the alkaline column.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 61%
Iron – 27%
Calcium – 5%
42. Lime
Like their lemon counterparts, limes are often thought of as being acid-forming, do to their sharp acidic taste due to the citric acid. But they move the pH level upward when consumed, so it’s a good idea to start using more limes to dress up your foods, or add a slice to a glass of water. It may be hard to eat limes the way you’d eat an orange, so it’s best to use it as an ingredient in other dishes, or infuse some of your cooking with the flavor of lime.
Top stats (per lime):
Vitamin C – 32%
Calcium – 2%
Iron – 2%
43. Millet
Millet is one grain that doesn’t contain gluten, and is a popular choice for those following a gluten-free diet. The reason it’s so popular is that it’s easy to use as a replacement for wheat, and you can make breads and use it in other recipes that call for wheat. And unlike wheat it is a natural source of both iron and is high in protein. This means you’re getting a better bang for your buck, and also help to stay off the acidic side of the pH scale.
Top stats (per cup):
Iron – 33%
Calcium – 2%
Protein – 22g
44. Mint
Fresh mint is a great way to add a distinctive flavor to a dish, and it also brings with it certain nutritional benefits, and lands on our list of alkaline forming foods. When you consider the different herbs and spices that you can use, it’s best to choose those that contribute to the alkaline rather than being acid-forming. Try adding a mint leaf or two to a smoothie for that special aroma, it gives it that fresh taste that even leaves your breath better afterward.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 3%
Vitamin C – 2%
Calcium – 1%
45. Mung Beans
Mung beans have been linked to lowering cholesterol, battling certain types of cancer, and helping to prevent or manage diabetes. They’re also an alkaline forming food in the body, and one that you can turn to on a regular basis to create a plateful of alkaline foods. They’re also a good source of the antioxidant Vitamin C, which has been shown to help bolster the immune system. Vegetarians can use them as a natural source of iron.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 23%
Iron – 5%
Calcium – 1%
46. Mustard Greens
Leafy greens are abundant on our list of alkaline foods, but you may have never tried mustard greens before. You really should, as research shows they’ve got plenty of antioxidants and have anti-cancer properties. They also help detox the body and help to maintain a healthy heart. The fiber they contain is an added bonus, which can help spur weight loss which keeps you more healthy overall.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 118%
Vitamin C – 65%
Iron – 5%
47. Navy Beans
Navy beans and other white beans make the list because they are well utilized by the body, and are on the alkaline side of the equation. They have an impressive amount of iron, contain a good amount of fiber, and are a low-glycemic food, so they help prevent spikes in your blood glucose levels. They’re also a very versatile food, and show up in several recipes in the form of side dishes, or mixed with other ingredients in a vegetarian main course.
Top stats (per cup):
Iron – 117%
Calcium – 48%
Protein – 47%
48. New Potatoes
If you’re not used to buying new potatoes, you just have to look a little closer at the descriptions. They may cost a bit more than regular potatoes, but it’s worth it for the alkaline benefits. It just means that they are picked prematurely. In addition to having a better taste, they also keep your body alkaline or help it to get there by not being an acid forming food. Try them and you’ll see just how delicious alkaline eating can be. Add chives to the top for even more alkalinity.
Top stats (per 300g):
Vitamin C – 63%
Iron – 12%
Calcium – 3%
49. Okra
Okra gets talked about a lot in health food circles, and with its unique blend of vitamins and minerals it’s easy to see why. It’s also included in the family of foods that are alkaline, and you can basically eat it to your heart’s content because it will only help your body stay or get alkaline. The one trip up you might have is if you’re not familiar with how to prepare it, but it’s worth getting up to speed and eating more okra.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 35%
Vitamin A – 8%
Calcium – 8%
50. Olive Oil
We’ve all heard that olive oil is one of the healthiest oils to consume, and it can add the alkaline feather to its cap. This is one oil that you can drizzle over a salad – preferably a salad made with as many alkaline vegetables as you can – or use in your cooking to add extra health benefits. It’s great for weight loss, and can act to detox the body. Add it to a green smoothie for added thickness and consistency. It’s a great oil to have on hand so you can use it whenever you can.
Top stats (per tbsp):
Monounsaturated Fat – 1.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat – 9.8g
51. Onion
Onions are an alkaline food that you may already eat on a regular basis. You just want to make sure that you’re eating them in conjunction with other alkaline-forming foods, and not using them as toppings for hamburgers and hot dogs. Saute them in olive oil and you’ll increase the alkalinity, but don’t overcook them. Onions are a staple in many recipes, just be sure to use fresh onions so you can get the most benefit from them.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 17%
Calcium – 4%
Iron – 2%
52. Parsley
Here’s another way to add to the presentation of your plate, but also help to keep your body alkaline. This little green herb is commonly found next to steaks, but you’ll want to start using it to adorn more veggie-ful plates. One tip: add it to a smoothie and you’ll end up with a fresher-tasting result, with more vitamins and minerals than when you started. The great thing is that you can grow your own parsley pretty easily at home and always have it ready.
Top stats (per tbsp):
Vitamin C – 8%
Vitamin A – 6%
Iron – 1%
53. Peas
Peas are a top contender for side dish of the year, and so it’s great that they’re an alkaline food. Peas usually hold their own and don’t need anything special added to them. Just try to hold off on the butter, which will only add an acidic food into the mix. If you’ve never tried eating unbuttered peas, give it a try. They’re tasty enough all by themselves, and you’ll be cutting back on fat and calories as well.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 97%
Vitamin A – 22%
Iron – 12%
54. Peppers
No matter the color, you’ll be helping yourself stay alkaline. Both red, yellow, and green peppers each keep your pH levels up. They’re also very easy to cook with, and taste great fresh. If you do end up cooking them, they stir fry up nicely with onions and garlic, in just a little olive oil. Like many of the foods on this list they have multiple benefits, being a great source of Vitamin C, and also a decent source of Vitamin A.
Top stats (per cup, green):
Vitamin C – 200%
Vitamin A – 11%
Iron – 3%
55. Pomegranate
You may have heard about the latest trend in drinking pomegranate juice, and as it turns out this is a fruit that you can enjoy without worrying about it being acid-forming. The amount of potassium it contains is pretty great, and it’s also a good source of Vitamin C. It’s great in a smoothie, or as a snack while you’re on the go. If you do drink the juice just make sure that there’s no sugar added, and that it’s not mixed with high sugar fruits, or the alkalinity may be lost.
Top stats (per fruit):
Vitamin C – 16%
Iron – 3%
Potassium – 400mg
56. Pumpkin & Pumpkin Seeds
It’s time to break out the pumpkin for more than Halloween parties and holiday pumpkin pies. This is a vegetable that you can cook up all year long and reap the health benefits from it, including its alkaline nature. The best part is that the seeds can also be used as a snack, because they’re also alkaline. If you needed any more convincing to start eating more pumpkin, just check out the impressive amount of Vitamin A it contains.
Top stats (per cup, pumpkin):
Vitamin A – 171%
Vitamin C – 17%
Iron – 2%
57. Quinoa
Quinoa is getting more and more mainstream attention as one of the healthiest foods you probably aren’t eating. The reason is that it’s so versatile and easy to use, and has more vitamins and minerals than many other grains out there. It’s a seed, and it’s gluten-free. It isn’t excessively alkaline, but enough so that you’re not taking a step back toward acidity, but rather taking a small step toward alkalinity. Brief yourself on quinoa and find your favorite recipes.
Top stats (per cup):
Iron – 87%
Calcium – 10%
Protein – 22g
58. Radish
You just can’t go wrong with radishes, they’ve been shown to help fight cancer, while improving your digestion and preventing heart disease. They have a detoxifying effect on the body and can help regulate both blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Add to that the fact that they help keep your body alkaline. The one thing that may be stopping you is the taste, but there are plenty of ways to cook them up, or add alkaline herbs to them.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 29%
Calcium – 3%
Iron – 2%
59. Red Beans
Most commonly found in stores as kidney beans, the different types of red beans are all considered alkaline, and deserve a place on your plate. What’s more, they’re also just a plain healthy food for you no matter what you’re trying to achieve. They’ll boost your iron levels, have a good amount of calcium, and are a surprising source of Vitamin C. Add to that their fiber levels to aid in digestion, and their boost to weight loss efforts and they’re golden.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 14%
Calcium – 15%
Iron – 68%
60. Rhubarb
Rhubarb can be a hard food to familiarize yourself with, because while it may appear to be a vegetable, it’s really a fruit. It’s one of the few fruits that are on our list of alkaline foods. It may look like a bizarre form of celery, and it’s tartness can be a little much for some, but if you find the right recipe, or the right way to prepare it you should be all set. The amounts of calcium along with other antioxidants makes it worth getting to know.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 16%
Vitamin A – 2%
Calcium – 10%
61. Sesame Seeds
The thing you want to watch out for here is that your sesame seed intake doesn’t come from a sesame seed bun on a burger. They aren’t so alkalizing as to offset a big block of acid-forming foods. But as long as you’re sprinkling them onto a salad made with alkaline veggies, or dropping them into the blender while you’re blending up a green smoothie, you’ll be all set. Just look at the amount of iron these little guys contain, as well as a big source of protein from a small seed.
Top stats (per cup):
Iron – 65%
Calcium – 20%
Protein – 25g
62. Soybeans
Ever wonder why soybeans are thought to be so healthy? One reason is that they’re an alkaline-forming food. They’ve also been big in vegetarian circles for quite some time because they’re a non-meat source of iron. They also provide a non-dairy source of calcium, so they’re something that you’ll basically need to add to your diet if you plan on cutting back on meat and cutting out the dairy to stay alkaline.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 19%
Calcium – 52%
Iron – 162%
63. Spinach
Here’s an alkaline powerhouse that you’re probably already very familiar with. Spinach is the leafy green that is most notorious for its health benefits, and it doesn’t really matter what form you eat it in, you’ll be helping your body go alkaline. One of the best ways we’ve found is to buy baby spinach and use it as a base for a salad. Since there are so many alkalizing vegetables it’s super easy to concoct a salad that will send your pH levels rising.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 14%
Vitamin A – 56%
Iron – 4%
64. Sprouts
It’s hard to make a side dish out of just sprouts, let alone a meal, but they’re a great sidekick to other veggies, they go great in a stir fry, and they blend up easily. You don’t want to miss out on their alkalizing ability, as well as the nutrients, enzymes, and protein they contain. One good feature is their availability, typically found in most grocery stores and supermarkets, be sure to drop a pack in the cart next time you’re out.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 10%
Calcium – 1%
Iron – 3%
65. Squash
Each different variety of squash has its own unique mix of nutrients and health benefits, but one thing they all have in common is that they contribute to your body’s alkaline state. They make fantastic side dishes, and there are many vegetarian recipes that can show you how to turn squash into your main entre, with other vegetables standing in as side dishes. The Vitamin A is through the roof, and the Vitamin C is excellent as well for butternut squash.
Top stats (per cup, butternut):
Vitamin A – 298%
Vitamin C – 49%
Calcium – 7%
66. Sunflower Seeds
When you eat sunflower seeds, make sure that you’re not getting the ones that are dry roasted and have a lot of added salt. That way you’re getting the benefits of this naturally alkaline food, without the additives that could lead to higher sodium levels and higher fat levels. They can be a source for healthy fats, and also provide protein and iron, which is essential if you plan on cutting back on acid-forming meats.
Top stats (per ounce, shelled):
Vitamin C – 1%
Iron – 11%
Protein – 6g
67. Sweet Potato
Many people erroneously believe that starchy foods are acid forming, which is why they’re surprised to find sweet potatoes and new potatoes on the list. But whether a food is acid forming or alkaline forming is determined by how the body breaks it down once it’s consumed, and in this case it’s alkaline. You also get the other benefits of sweet potatoes in addition to their great taste, including a good amount of fiber, and a healthy dose of Vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 369%
Vitamin C – 5%
Calcium – 4%
Iron – 4%
68. Swiss Chard
Here is a leafy green that has been flying under the radar for a long time, but also is alkalizing like it’s other leafy cousins. Perhaps you’ve had Swiss Chard in a mix of greens at a restaurant in their garden salad, or maybe you’ve tried it before at home. It has a distinctive bitter taste, one that may not be appealing at first but one that you might crave after eating it a few times. It does play well with others like spinach and kale to mix things up.
Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 18%
Iron – 4%
Calcium – 2%
69. Thyme
Thyme is a wonderful spice to use in your cooking, because it is alkaline forming, and also has its own list of additional benefits it provides. In some cultures this is the main seasoning used in many different dishes. One of the benefits includes helping out with the respiratory system. It’s also becoming understood that this is a superspice, with antioxidants all its own, and plenty of nutrients in such a small herb.
Top stats (per tsp):
Vitamin C – 2%
Vitamin A – 1%
Iron – 1%
70. Tofu
Vegetarians have been using tofu as a meat replacement for years and years now, and as it turns out they may have inadvertently been assisting their body in creating an alkaline state. This may account for the documented health benefits of following a vegetarian lifestyle, because part of this entails replacing acid forming meats with alkaline forming foods like tofu and vegetables. You don’t have to go fully vegetarian to get the same benefits, as most alkaline diets allow for a some acidic foods to be eaten daily.
Top stats (per slice):
Calcium – 3%
Iron – 5%
Protein – 5g
71. Tomato
What can’t tomatoes do? They’ve got plenty of lycopene in them, as well as antioxidants, and they’ve been shown to help the heart and help us to live long and happy lives. In addition to that they’re an alkaline forming food. Just one more reason to start eating more tomatoes. Even though you might think of a tomato as being acidic because it can trigger the same sour taste buds as a lemon, it is not acid forming, and instead actually helps to raise your body’s overall pH.
Top stats (per med. tomato):
Vitamin C – 26%
Calcium – 1%
Iron – 2%
72. Watercress
Here’s another leafy green that can help you to keep your body alkaline. As a bonus it’s full of plenty of other vitamins so you’re getting broad coverage for your nutritional needs. It has its own distinctive flavor that you might prefer over some of its cousins, and it ranks pretty highly on the alkaline scale in regards to the effect it has on the body. It’s even been shown to help repair damage to the DNA, which can be a big help in preventing and reversing cancer.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin A – 32%
Vitamin C – 24%
Calcium – 4%
73. Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass has enjoyed a lot of popularity in recent years as the green smoothie intake has increased, but it has been something that “health nuts” have known about for quite some time. It’s a very strong source of alkalinity for the body, and is often found in supplemental form so that you can mix it with water and drink it. Some choose to use a daily glass of wheatgrass juice as a sort of insurance that their body is getting enough alkaline forming food.
Top stats (per 3g):
Iron – 44%
Vitamin A – 30%
Vitamin C – 12%
74. Zucchini
This is one vegetable that’s readily available at most grocery stores, which makes it easy to start using it as part of a comprehensive approach to help your body stay alkaline. There are many different zucchini recipes available, but steaming them and eating them on their own is the way to get the most benefit. Other features are that it can help to lower cholesterol levels, and for men it’s been known to be good for the prevention of prostate cancer.
Top stats (per cup):
Vitamin C – 35%
Vitamin A – 5%
Iron – 2%
Remember, you don’t have to limit yourself to these foods only, but they do serve as a nice alkaline base for your overall diet plan. The more of them you eat, the more alkaline your body will be, all else being equal. Balance is key, and other foods contain plenty of vitamins and nutrients and shouldn’t be neglected. Eat a wide variety of healthy foods, including those listed here for their alkalinity, and you’ll be doing your body a big favor.
Alkaline Foods FAQ
Do Alkaline foods help acid reflux?
There is a direct connection between eating alkaline foods and reducing the amount of stomach acid, which may help lessen or prevent symptoms of acid reflux. Perhaps you’ve identified certain foods that give you acid reflux when you eat them, and now you avoid them. In all likelihood these foods are on the acidic foods list. When you peruse the list of alkaline foods you’ll likely notice that none of them stand out as foods that contribute to your condition. It’s always best to ask your doctor for a diet plan that will lessen your acid reflux, you might find it very comparable to an alkaline diet.
What does “alkaline forming” foods mean?
It means that while a food might not be alkaline in nature, when broken down by the body is produces an alkaline effect, in contrast to an acidic effect from acid forming foods. One example is that citrus fruits like grapefruits and lemons, while containing citric acid, are actually alkalizing once you eat them. That’s why it’s important to distinguish between foods that on the outside are acidic, but once digested and processed by the human body, become alkaline.
You might notice that there are a lot of different alkaline/acidic lists out there, with change-ups of different foods, some showing them to be alkaline and other showing them to be acidic. It can be really confusing but we did our best to bring you the most accurate data.
What do alkaline foods do?
Alkaline foods may help to bring the body’s pH to a level that supports health and well-being. They might also help to neutralize excessive amounts of acid that can lead to inflammation and other chronic conditions. Although there is some debate as to weather these foods can actually change the pH level of your blood, and therefore change the way your body handles certain diseases and conditions.
Depending on who you ask, alkaline foods can do everything from turn back cancer, to preventing heart disease, to reducing inflammation in the body. But you have to take it all with a grain of salt, because alkaline foods all have their own unique health benefits, so it could simply be a matter of just eating better and cutting out the unhealthy foods from your diet. Both would provide impressive results for most people.
Do Alkaline foods help help you lose weight?
In all likelihood if you change your diet to include more alkaline forming foods you’ll lose weight. This is because these foods have plenty of other benefits in them, and most are considered superfoods. If these take the place of acidic foods, or heavily processed foods, the result is surely that you will lose weight. Almost all of the alkaline foods we’ve found can also be found in diet plans and weight loss programs. Every diet we’ve seen has advocated the use of spinach and other leafy greens, it just so happens that they’re also alkaline.
What do alkaline foods taste like?
There is a wide variety of alkaline foods, so there’s no good answer for this. Many of these foods are vegetables, some are fruits, and some are nuts or grains. It’s important to understand that acidic foods don’t taste like acid, they don’t burn your tongue when you eat them. They produce an acidic effect within the body. Alkaline foods therefore don’t have a specific taste to them when you eat them, and there’s no flavor cues as to whether a food is alkaline or acidic. For example, oranges have citric acid but are alkaline forming, so basically they can taste like just about anything.
Does cooking alkaline foods make them acidic?
While it doesn’t necessarily make them acidic, you might be cooking out essential vitamins and minerals that could be helpful to the body. It isn’t necessary to go on a raw diet in order to eat alkaline foods, but the fresher you can eat your foods the better. If they need to be cooked, stick to methods like steaming them so that you can keep the nutrients in them intact.
Alkaline Foods and Cancer
You may have heard that eating alkaline foods can help prevent cancer, or can turn it around if you already have it. It’s true that hospitals give their cancer patients special diets that are full of alkaline foods to eat, while not necessarily referring to it as an alkaline diet.
There are others that claim that cancer simply cannot form or survive in an alkaline environment, and that eating acidic foods is what leads to cancer, and what causes it to thrive and spread in the body. However there are also doctors and scientists that say the body will keep the blood at a certain pH no matter what you eat, and that eating certain foods has no effect on the pH level.
So what is the point of eating an alkaline diet if you’re not going to have an effect on the body’s pH? Proponents of alkaline diets may be inadvertently getting you to eat a healthy diet because they’ve stumbled on a way to separate healthy from unhealthy foods. It’s a diet that is largely vegetarian, and one that would surely lead to improved health if followed as a lifestyle over the long run.
The only clear answer on the matter is that alkaline foods are all healthy foods, each with their own large list of side benefits that show they’re good for the body. At a very basic level, it’s clear to see that foods that are from the Earth would be good for the body, whereas foods that are man-made or heavily processed would be bad for the body. Eating foods that grow naturally, absorb energy from the sun, and then transfer that energy to you when eaten is always a good idea. Eating food that is dead, or that is chemical-laden, would only serve you ill.
Alkaline Foods and Gout
Since gout is caused by an excessive amount of uric acid in the system, the thought is that by eating more alkaline foods you’ll be helping to diminish those levels and be free from gout attacks. It’s true that alkaline foods, once eaten, have an alkalizing effect, and therefore would help to neutralize some of the acidic foods you eat. Special diets for those with gout mimic very closely an alkaline diet, and by going alkaline you’ll be avoiding some of the known foods that trigger gout attacks.
Alkaline Foods and Acne
One of the claims made by alkaline diet promoters is that alkaline foods can help with your acne. The reason cited is that an acidic environment is at least partially to blame for the amount of acne you have. There’s long been a basic thought that eating an improper diet, especially greasy fried foods, can lead to more acne. But perhaps it is not a certain type of food, but rather the acidic effect that causes the breakouts. By eating alkaline you’re getting a load of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in whole food form, which will likely help your skin be healthy and free of blemishes.
Alkaline Foods and Allergies
The list of alkaline benefits sometimes includes allergy relief. It is unclear how an alkaline diet would help to prevent allergic reactions to things like dust, pollen, or pet dander. An alkaline diet is often referred to as a cureall for anything that ails you. While it certainly couldn’t hurt to eat more alkaline foods, with many of them being superfoods, and full of vitamins and minerals, we couldn’t find any clinical research that would suggest a link between eating alkaline foods and having fewer allergic outbreaks.
Alkaline Foods and Diabetes
Many alkaline foods will also help you keep your blood glucose levels in check so that you don’t have the sort of spikes you get from high-sugar foods. In this respect, many diabetic diets that are prescribed by doctors closely resemble an alkaline diet, with beans and vegetables being the order of the day. The chances of getting diabetes while following an alkaline diet would be lessened, and it may help you manage your diabetes if you already have it. Be sure to consult with your doctor to see if they advise for you to start an alkaline diet, or if there is a better eating plan they recommend for that purpose.
Alkaline Foods and Other Diseases and Conditions
If you are at a site that is trying to sell you on an alkaline diet, you might notice that they’ll make several claims as to what alkaline foods can do for you, including the treatment or prevention of several diseases and conditions. The idea is that if your body is in an alkaline state you won’t be susceptible to certain illnesses and diseases because they can only affect a person that is acidic.
But it is unclear what they mean by saying that you are either alkaline or acidic. There are some parts of the body that need to be acidic in order to function properly, for example you wouldn’t want your stomach to be alkaline or it would be able to break up foods. At the same time, the body is going to regulate your blood’s pH levels, the same way it keeps your heart beating, your lungs breathing, and certain organs and body parts at specific temperatures.
It’s important to do your research in this area, and consult with your doctor before fully subscribing to any diet plan.
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