Excess weight is a global problem for all humanity. Obesity not only leads to a deterioration in a person’s appearance, it also spoils health. In order not to harm the body, the fight against excess weight must be approached rationally. The World Wide Web offers many interesting programs. They all have one thing in common: you can’t just pick one up and apply it yourself. To avoid the occurrence or complication of health problems, you must first consult a doctor - and based on the tests you have taken, he will determine which method of weight loss is preferable for you and your illnesses.
But being aware of the various methods of weight management is nevertheless beneficial for overall development.
Let's talk about one of the weight loss methods - the alkaline diet.
General rules
We remind you that our article is more of an introductory excursion, and not a call to action. It is best to initially identify the real cause of excess weight gain, and then fight it. Specialists in the field of psychotherapy help in such matters. They teach people not only to build a positive emotional background, which is the basis of good health and self-love, but also to form healthy eating behavior, which
will no longer require thoughts and calculations, restrictions and volitional efforts, becoming simply one of your many other habits.
The basic rule of the alkaline method is the correct proportions of products that affect the acidic and alkaline environment of the stomach. Experts advise creating a menu consisting of 20% acidic and 80% alkaline foods. At the same time, you will not be required to monitor calories. True, people seeking to lose weight will also have to significantly reduce food portions, while combining the dietary system with physical exercise.
It is better to have dinner before 19:00. During the day, in addition to main meals, several light snacks are allowed with foods from the “allowed” list (we’ll talk about it later).
As for meat, you can eat it, but in a limited amount: no more than three times a week.
Vegetables and fruits that make up the basis of the menu are best eaten raw. If heat treatment is unavoidable, try to at least avoid frying. This method of cooking changes the properties of food: alkaline food can easily become acidic.
Chewing thoroughly will help your body cope more easily with the transition to a raw, high-fiber diet. This helps improve the digestibility of consumed foods, helping to prevent problems with the gastrointestinal tract: bloating, colic or stool disorders.
Features of an alkaline diet. Menu, recipes, recommendations
To make it much easier to adjust your diet and choose the right products for your menu, you can use this hint table, which clearly illustrates which product belongs to which group.
Product group | Weak oxidation | Medium oxidation | Severe oxidation |
Vegetables, fruits, berries | Plums, beans, tomatoes | Cherries, cranberries, corn, boiled peeled potatoes | Blueberries, canned fruits and vegetables |
Seeds and nuts | Pumpkin and sunflower seeds | Cashew | Walnuts and peanuts |
Cereals and flour products | Rye, black bread, buckwheat | Oats, corn, rice except brown | Wheat, pasta and flour products |
Meat products, seafood | Venison | Lean veal, turkey | Fatty meat, mussels, squid, octopus, oysters |
Products made from milk and butter of vegetable origin | Butter, almond butter, cream | Processed cheese, palm oil | Sweet cheeses, hard cheese, cottonseed oil |
Beverages | Black tea | Coffee, canned juices | Alcohol |
Product group | Weak alkalization | Medium alkalization | Severe alkalization |
Vegetables, fruits, berries | Strawberries, grapes, peaches, olives, sweet peppers | Citrus fruits, apples, pears, asparagus, pumpkin | Watermelon, papaya, mango, onion, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower |
Seeds and nuts | Chestnuts, sesame | Almond | |
Cereals and flour products | Wild rice | ||
Meat products, seafood | Sea kale | ||
Dairy products and vegetable oils | Soy products, including cheeses, milk, olive oil | ||
Beverages | Tea | Green tea, ginseng tea | Water with lemon juice, lime juice, vegetable juices |
Maintaining a normal acid-base balance is the key to your health and longevity. Of course, you shouldn’t immediately torture yourself with a strict diet and exclude acidic foods from the menu, however, you should correctly calculate the amount of alkaline and acidic foods your body needs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAC52dmfDKU
Proponents of alternative medicine believe that diet helps get rid of ailments and some conditions of the body that arise due to the imbalance of acids and alkalis:
- chronic fatigue syndrome and decreased tone;
- runny nose, nasal congestion;
- frequent respiratory infections, colds;
- cystic formations on the ovaries, in the mammary gland;
- regular headaches;
- excess body weight.
A high-alkaline diet reduces the risk of kidney stones, obesity due to age-related metabolic disorders, and osteoporosis (brittle bones). Since a person’s diet contains a lot of dietary fiber (the main alkalizing foods are vegetables), blood pressure normalizes, mechanical cleansing of the intestines occurs, blood composition improves, and hormonal levels are adjusted.
Gradually, the proportion of foods with an oxidative effect in the diet is reduced to 20% (the table above provides a list of such foods) in order to restore the acid-base balance.
Vegetables are consumed boiled and the juice is squeezed out. Fruits are eaten raw, fresh juices, mousses, and jellies are prepared.
Fish (boiled or baked, low-fat varieties) is eaten no more than 3 times a week. As for meat, preference is given to veal and poultry. It is sometimes allowed to consume honey, molasses, cane sugar, and maple syrup. The diet allows snacks that consist of juices and dried fruits. The main fats in the diet are sunflower, peanut, and olive oil.
The diet does not allow drinking coffee or black tea. To maintain water balance, drink water, herbal infusions, and juices. Wash down your main meal with herbal teas.
Chew food thoroughly, making 30–50 chewing movements.
- Breakfast: fresh red and green vegetables, a glass of soy milk or natural yogurt without sugar, a peach or an apple.
- Lunch: chicken meat (boiled) - 150 g, vegetable side dish, herbal tea.
- Dinner: baked fish - 150 g, vegetable salad, natural yogurt.
The topic has not been explored deeply enough. Therefore, before changing your diet, it is recommended to consult a doctor, especially in case of chronic diseases, when a different diet has been prescribed or your health has worsened. An imbalanced acid-base balance can lead to negative consequences.
I will try to explain it to you in a popular way, without complex scientific terms. Some foods, when completely digested, leave behind alkaline waste. Others form acids, which, if in excess, cannot be completely neutralized or eliminated from the body. As a result, the acid begins to prevail over the alkali, which leads to the development of rather unpleasant ailments.
According to statistics, most urban residents consume up to 90% acid-forming foods daily.
Strong oxidizing agents pH 4 | Weak oxidizing agents pH 5-6 | Slightly alkaline pH 8-9 | Highly alkaline pH 10 |
White bread, rolls, white flour products, semolina | Meat, poultry, offal, sausages, smoked meats | All types of fruits are boiled. baked, including citrus fruits | All fresh fruits |
Alcoholic drinks, beer | Sea and river fish | Greenery | Asparagus |
Sweet soda | Nuts: peanuts, walnuts, cashews | Whole grains, unprocessed cereals, grains and millets | Watermelon |
Sugar and all dishes containing it | fermented milk products, boiled milk, cheeses, plums. oil | Almonds, soaked nuts and seeds, coconut | Sea kale |
Confectionery, sweets, desserts | sesame, sunflower, melon seeds | Mushrooms | Sprouts of beans, peas, cereal grains and seeds |
Dried legumes, wheat, corn, rice | Eggs | Fresh raw milk, cottage cheese | All fresh vegetables and raw root vegetables, celery, cucumbers, avocados (except peas and beans) |
Fats, oils, lard | Pasta | Fresh green beans, peas | alkaline mineral waters – hydrocarbonate |
Tobacco, black tea and coffee | All types of vegetables after cooking | Cooked root vegetables | Garlic |
1 day
- First breakfast: omelet with milk, salad of two cucumbers
- Second breakfast: grated raw carrots
- Lunch: baked chicken and vegetable salad
- Afternoon snack: a glass of tomato juice
- Dinner: grilled fish, leaf salad with herbs
Day 2
- First breakfast: buckwheat porridge, tomato
- Second breakfast: grated apple
- Lunch: two pieces of boiled chicken, cauliflower salad with herbs and wheat sprouts
- Afternoon snack: grated raw beets
- Dinner: salad of shrimp, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, dressed with olive oil, lemon juice and sprinkled with herbs, flax seeds and sesame seeds
Day 3
- First breakfast: oatmeal on water with fresh berries
- Second breakfast: carrot juice
- Lunch: baked veal, seaweed salad with lemon juice
- Afternoon snack: fresh low-fat cottage cheese with herbs and garlic, sprinkled with grated almonds
- Dinner: stewed fish, cabbage and cucumber salad with herbs
If you understand the principle of menu planning, you can easily create an alkaline diet menu for yourself for a week or longer.
Potatoes are also very useful for these purposes; they are, not entirely deservedly, often excluded from diets due to their high starch content. Believe me, there are many other, more harmful foods that many eat constantly and do not even realize how many harmful substances they contain. If you need to quickly achieve balance, you can include 1-2 baked or boiled jacket potatoes in your daily menu - it will not harm your figure.
Another important tip: the ratio of greens and protein dishes on one plate should be 3:1.
To make your knowledge of the acid-base balance even stronger, I have made a small table for the alkaline diet, which indicates the exact ratio of the content of acidic and alkaline elements.
By looking at this plate, you will know exactly which foods are good for you and which ones are better to avoid for a while. When your condition returns to normal, you will again be able to eat a little more acidic foods.
Product Name | Content of acid and alkaline elements in% | |
Acids | Alkalis | |
Eggs | 72,7 | 27,3 |
Rice | 72,6 | 27,4 |
White bread | 72,0 | 28,0 |
Beef, lean pork, chicken | 70,8 | 29,2 |
Cottage cheese | 70,1 | 29,9 |
Pasta | 69,7 | 30,3 |
Fish | 68,8 | 31,2 |
Legumes | 61,8 | 38,2 |
Salo | 58,9 | 41,1 |
Butter | 56,1 | 43,9 |
Cheese | 54,4 | 45,6 |
Rye bread | 53,9 | 46,1 |
Nuts | 52,2 | 47,8 |
Cocoa | 51,8 | 48,2 |
Beet | 45,6 | 54,4 |
String beans | 42,3 | 57,7 |
Spinach | 40,9 | 59,1 |
Tomatoes | 38,0 | 62,0 |
Strawberry | 37,4 | 62,6 |
Potato | 36,6 | 63,4 |
Onion | 35,5 | 64,5 |
Carrot | 28,9 | 71,1 |
Apples | 27,3 | 72,7 |
Gooseberry | 25,5 | 74,5 |
cucumbers | 25,0 | 75,0 |
Plums | 23,1 | 76,9 |
Lemons | 20,5 | 79,5 |
I would like to share with you the reviews my patients give about the alkaline diet. I often prescribe dietary changes for them to improve their overall health and to help them lose weight.
Story 1.
Recently, a very obese woman, 54 years old, Lyudmila, came to an appointment, works as a cashier in a supermarket. She has been overweight since her youth. Even before giving birth, she weighed 93 kg, but now her weight has exceeded 120 kg. Her health left much to be desired: high blood pressure, joint problems, constant pain in the back, knees, shortness of breath, gastritis, increased gas production, etc.
problems that I won’t talk about here. I recommended her an alkaline diet, a reduced calorie diet, and avoidance of many foods, such as sausages, sweet soda, and fatty meats. An individual diet was prepared for her, which mainly contained alkalizing foods and a small amount of protein foods.
She came to see me a month later and began to enthusiastically tell me that her blood pressure had returned to normal and the pain in her back and joints that had tormented her since her youth had disappeared. She lost 4 kg, said that she was now literally flying, and even the symptoms of gastritis disappeared: constant heartburn and heaviness in the stomach.
Story 2.
Here is another illustrative case from my practice. Anton, 43 years old, entrepreneur. Tired of being overweight, which reached the 100 kilogram mark. He came to me indignant, saying that all doctors are charlatans, because their recommendations only harm health. He read on the Internet that the Dukan diet, which contains virtually no vegetables and fruits, will help you lose weight, especially in the early stages. (cm.
here is the Dukan diet) He survived the first phase “Attack”, in which you cannot eat fruits and vegetables at all, and began the second phase “Cruise”, in which protein days alternate with protein-carbohydrate days. In fact, he “acidified” his body so much that he didn’t even have the strength to go to work. He fell asleep in transport, felt aching joints and muscle pain.
In addition, he developed chronic constipation. In addition, his immunity had decreased so much that, even though it was summer outside, he caught a cold three times in the last month alone. This had never happened to him before. “And how can I lose weight?” – he was sincerely indignant. “No matter what I do, no matter how much I show willpower, I’ve already given up everything.
True, the weight has decreased, but at what cost? - his indignation was very fair, because it is better to be fat and healthy than thin, but constantly sick. He was also prescribed an alkalizing diet, with plenty of fiber, to cleanse the body of the acidic residues of protein foods. The results were not long in coming.
Story 3.
What kind of diet is this: features and nuances
The program was developed by nutritionists (specialists in the field of nutrition) Vicka Engson and Natasha Corret. In their professional opinion, our menu largely consists of foods that give an acidic reaction. Their constant use leads to disruption of the normal acid-base balance in the body. The consequence is the loss of beneficial microelements and an increase in the amount of pathogenic intestinal microflora. At the same time, the release of enzymes necessary for normal digestion slows down. All this is a powerful impetus for a host of negative consequences: including the formation of excess weight.
Experts do not recommend following an alkaline weight loss program for a long time due to the imbalance of its diet. Even if you are on a diet for a short time, it is better to simultaneously consume vitamin and mineral complexes. In any case, your doctor will personally explain all these and other subtleties to you before you begin this experiment.
Recommendations
Any diet should not be taken carelessly, and the alkaline method is no exception. According to data received from experts, it is primarily indicated for those who suffer from high levels of acidity in the stomach. But how do you know your level? Again - a trip to the doctor, getting tested... And before contacting a specialist, the acidity of your stomach, firstly, can be judged by clinical signs: fatigue, increased irritability, unsatisfactory condition of hair and skin, excess weight. As you can see, all the signs are general and non-specific, so for a reliable diagnosis, do not be lazy to consult a doctor. The specialist, having ordered a blood test, will give a 100% correct answer.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like almost any method, the alkaline diet has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- improving the condition of the skin, hair, memory, concentration, and functioning of the immune system;
- disappearance of bags under the eyes;
- normalization of digestion;
- cheapness, general availability of products.
Minuses:
- decreased calcium levels in the blood due to limited protein intake;
- you will have to radically change your taste habits, paying more attention to fruits and vegetables;
- deterioration of the condition, drowsiness, and irritability are likely due to a sharp restructuring of the body.
Contraindications
With short-term use, the alkaline technique usually has a positive effect on health. But, even despite this, a number of contraindications still exist.
The diet is prohibited in the following cases:
- pregnancy;
- breast-feeding;
- children, old age;
- liver pathologies;
- metabolic disorders;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- kidney pathologies;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute phase;
- decreased level of stomach acidity.
A person who practices the alkaline method has a rather difficult time with changes in the menu. In this regard, vegetarians have it easier, because this is their lifestyle. We are used to eating meat, fish, and dairy products, and this diet implies restrictions on all of the above. In addition to the stress on the body due to the refusal of favorite foods, one can also note a decrease in calcium and proteins in the blood. Therefore, we once again recommend that you contact your doctors for advice in a timely manner.
How does the alkaline diet work?
To understand the principle of operation of the technique, let’s remember how to get rid of the terrible feeling of heartburn. Did you feel these unpleasant sensations? Of course, everyone knows that salvation can be found in diluted soda. The alkaline technique works in a similar way.
Let's imagine that we have high acidity in our stomach. To neutralize the effect of acid, we need to start eating more foods with an alkaline reaction: vegetables, fruits, berries, cereals. And to prevent an increase in acidity, it is worth reviewing your own diet and eliminating foods that give an acidic reaction.
When the method was developed, its main goal was not weight loss, but restoration of acid-base balance, so you should not expect quick weight loss results. Individual characteristics of the body, nutrition and exercise regimen - all this affects the rate of loss of extra pounds. On average, during the period of following the diet, you can lose from 5 to 7 kilograms.
What is the alkaline diet and basic principles
The purpose of this diet is to normalize the acid and alkaline balance within the body. Many people acidify their internal environment through poor nutrition. In this regard, excess weight appears, metabolic rate decreases, fatigue and drowsiness appear.
When digested, each product produces an alkali or acid. Hence, there are 3 groups into which food is divided: alkaline, acidic, neutral.
Scientists have found that the most important products for the body are the products of the first group, that is, alkaline ones. They are able to maintain the correct pH balance, preserving a person’s energy and youth.
Signs of body oxidation
The clinical manifestation of oxidation is not always clear. The first signs can be identified, but they are easily confused with symptoms of other diseases. One way or another, you always need to react, otherwise they will develop into something more, which then simply cannot be ignored.
Signs of acid-base imbalance:
- bitter taste in the mouth;
- the tongue is covered with a gray coating;
- heartburn;
- skin rashes;
- hair loss;
- apathy, decreased performance;
- muscle pain;
- chills.
It's no secret that preventing diseases is always easier than treating them. Therefore, pay attention to your diet and acid-base balance today, and tomorrow you will not have to solve health problems.
Water-alkaline diet. Alkaline diet
What is an alkaline diet? What are its basic principles? How can you lose weight on an alkaline diet? This nutritional system is primarily intended to improve the health of the body, however, it will not harm anyone who wants to lose weight!
All foods consumed can be divided into acidic and alkaline. Because of this feature, they act diametrically opposite on the body. Increased acidity often causes various health problems. An alkaline environment, on the contrary, normalizes the operation of all systems. It is this principle that underlies the alkaline diet, which will be discussed further. For those who want to know how to lose weight by summer, you can take it into service!
Features of the alkaline diet
It is recommended to maintain an alkaline diet for 3-4 weeks, since this is the time the body needs to cleanse itself of acid waste and normalize activity. In the first days you may feel slightly unwell. It confirms the beginning of the cleansing process and is not an indication to interrupt the diet (only if it is not too bad - in which case a doctor’s examination is necessary).
The diet menu includes foods that have an alkaline reaction - these are almost any plant foods. When consuming food, preference should be given to products with a pH level of 8.0 or higher:
- ripe bananas, avocados, berries, garlic, celery, carrots, currants, dates (pH level 8.0). They act on acidic foods, increasing their pH level to almost alkaline, and also normalize blood pressure.
- sweet apples, apricots and alfalfa sprouts (pH 8.0). They contain beneficial enzymes in large quantities and help normalize hormonal levels.
- sweet grapes, passion fruit, sweet pears, pineapples, plums, raisins, vegetable juices (pH 8.5). These foods are high in antioxidants. They improve blood composition and help cleanse the body.
- kiwi, chicory, fruit juices (pH 8.5). These products are rich in powerful antioxidants – flavonoids.
- watercress, asparagus, seaweed (pH 8.5). These are unique and highly effective natural acid converters.
- lime, melon, mango, papaya, parsley (pH 8.5). With their help, they cleanse the liver, kidneys and intestines.
- cayenne pepper, cantaloupe (pH 8.5). They should be used to fight free radicals, cleanse the intestines and normalize the functioning of the endocrine system.
- organic gelatin agar-agar (pH 8.5). Contains a lot of fiber, calcium and iron.
- watermelon (pH 9.0). It is a powerful source of vitamin C, beta-carotene and lycopene. Excellent for cleansing the body.
- lemon (pH 9.0). Despite the sour taste, it helps create an alkaline environment. Excellent for cleansing the liver. It has good immunomodulatory properties.
Products that contribute to the formation of an acidic environment include:
- fish of different types;
- meat of domestic and wild animals;
- eggs;
- sugar; milk and some of its derivatives, such as butter;
- legumes (peas, beans, etc.);
- cereals;
- tea and coffee;
- nuts;
- alcoholic drinks.
These products should be consumed only in the minimum required quantities.
Basic rules of the alkaline diet
When following an alkaline diet, the menu should consist of 80% alkaline and 20% acidic foods. However, some kind of preparation is needed - a gradual increase in the consumption of alkaline foods and a decrease in acidic ones. Such a system will help solve the question of how to deal with gluttony.
You also need to change the speed of eating - you need to eat slowly, and chew each piece thoroughly (at least 30 chewing movements).
- It is advisable not to eat after 19:00.
- Between meals, drink only herbal tea, water and natural fruit juices.
- Food of plant origin should be consumed raw or boiled.
- Breakfast should be diluted with yellow and green vegetables.
- Eat fruits and dried fruits, both as a separate meal and in combination with other foods.
- Prepare dishes and season salads with natural vegetable oil without chemical additives (olive, sunflower, etc.).
- Replace sweets with natural analogues - maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, raw molasses or dried fruits for weight loss.
- Consume grain products no more than 3 times a week.
- Replace meat products with small amounts of lean beef, veal, lamb, chicken and turkey.
- Eat fish dishes no more than 2-3 times a week.
In fact, the alkaline diet is designed to heal and cleanse the body, however, it will not hurt when it comes to losing weight, because the principles of this diet largely correspond to the principles of proper nutrition.
How to determine your pH
The average pH value of a healthy person is 7.35-7.45. There may be slight fluctuations due to time of day, physical training and other factors. It is necessary to know your own pH before starting a diet, because alkalization of the body is just as dangerous as oxidation.
It is easy to find out on your own using devices that are sold in pharmacies - pH meters. But accurate results can only be obtained by doing a laboratory blood test, and here again you cannot do without the help of specialists.
What foods are acidic?
Not all sour foods taste the same, which is why they are called that. They simply increase the acidity of the stomach during digestion. The possibility of an acid reaction also increases during heat treatment of products. This is why the alkaline diet involves eating raw or steamed foods.
Oxidizing products include:
- fat meat;
- seafood;
- canned fruits;
- walnuts;
- alcohol;
- baked goods and pasta.
Acidic foods, usually of animal origin, are difficult to digest and digest. Despite the fact that they should be consumed in a limited amount, it is impossible to do without them completely. After all, they, together with alkaline foods, help normalize digestion.
Why is acid-base imbalance dangerous?
Correct acid-base balance is a basic condition for the normal functioning of the human body. The optimal pH for good health is between 7.2 and 7.4. Maintaining acid-base balance is extremely important for normal physiology.
Normally, the body controls the balance in each cell. But with a change in diet in favor of fast food and industrially processed products with long shelf life, with a sedentary lifestyle and poor environment, the pH shifts towards acidification, which leads to health problems. A diet high in caffeine, animal proteins, white sugar and wheat flour has a negative impact on the body's ability to regulate proper pH levels. Unfortunately, this leads to an alarming increase in diseases. An imbalance in pH levels creates favorable conditions for the inflammatory process.
The body turns on defense mechanisms and takes minerals (magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium) from vital organs and bones to combat excess acid. This disrupts the regeneration processes of cells and organs, contributes to chronic fatigue and susceptibility to infections. Leads to problems with the kidneys, blood vessels, heart, degeneration of tissues and bone mass, accelerates the aging process, and leads to a gradual loss of function of tissues and organs. Against this background, excess weight looks like the least of the troubles.
But most of these negative changes can be corrected by using an alkaline, or so-called alkaline diet. The alkaline diet menu helps to shift the pH to the alkaline side. The diet should be designed in such a way that it contains 70–80% alkaline foods and only 20–30% acid-forming foods. A list of alkaline diet products will help you create the right menu.
Video recipe for the occasion
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Diet phases
The diet course includes three phases, each of which takes one week:
- Phase 1 – restructuring. The body adapts to the new menu and is cleansed of harmful substances. Here the maximum loss of excess weight is noted - 3-4 kilograms. For most people, this period of the diet is the most difficult.
- Phase 2 – restoration of acid-base balance. In the second week, weight begins to decrease more slowly: you manage to lose about 1 to 3 kilograms. But the mood gradually improves, and there is a surge of energy.
- Phase 3 – consolidation. This is an equally important time when the achieved result must be recorded. This can be achieved by eating alkaline foods tightly.
What are the benefits of an alkaline diet?
To benefit from the presented nutritional method, you must complete a three-week course. If a person feels unwell, then you should consult a doctor. An acid-alkaline diet, when followed correctly, gives the following results:
- Normalizes the functioning of internal organs, cleanses and improves the condition of the body.
- Increases defenses and improves immunity. Diet is important to normalize the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.
- Positively affects skin, hair and nails.
- It has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system, helping to forget about insomnia, nervousness, irritability and depression.
- Gives a boost of energy and increases endurance.
Alkaline diet for weight loss
If your goal is to lose excess weight, then an alkaline diet is an ideal option for this. With its help, you can cleanse the gastrointestinal tract of harmful substances and stagnant fluid. In addition, an alkaline diet for excess weight helps speed up metabolism and the functioning of the digestive system, so you can forget about bloating and flatulence.
Alkaline diet for gout
Limiting the consumption of acidic foods is beneficial for people who have a disease such as gout. With this problem, there is an increased deposition of uric acid salts in the joints and kidneys. An acid-alkaline diet for a month is aimed at reducing the amount of purine intake. In addition, it removes harmful substances and saturates it with vitamins and minerals. The alkaline diet for joint diseases includes the following rules:
- It is important to limit salt intake, so the daily intake should not be more than 10 g.
- Completely avoid eating flour, sweets and fast food.
- The menu should include low-fat dairy products.
- The alkaline diet for joints indicates that you should avoid fasting and overeating, so the optimal number of meals is 4-5 times.
Alkaline diet for cancer
Recently, information has become widespread that cancer develops only in an acidic environment, so you need to lean on alkaline foods. In fact, scientists have determined that an alkaline diet is not beneficial for cancer because studies have shown that harmful cells proliferate in an environment characterized by a normal pH level, which is 7.4. Yes, tumors grow faster in an acidic environment, but it is formed by the cancer cells themselves. We conclude that an alkaline diet does not help with cancer.
Alkaline diet for gastritis
If you are diagnosed with gastritis with high acidity, then you need to radically change your diet. An alkaline diet for health, which reduces the acidity of the body, is useful in this matter. Thanks to its effects, the functioning of the digestive system and the speed of metabolic processes improves. Bread, canned food, salted, pickled, pickled, fried, spicy and low-fat foods are prohibited.
Alkaline diet for urolithiasis
When stones form, doctors prescribe appropriate treatment and recommend making adjustments to the usual menu. An alkaline diet for stones helps get rid of formations and prevent relapse of the disease. It is worth considering that each type of stone has its own nutritional rules:
- With oxalates
. The problem arises with the activity of oxalic acid and here it is important to control the consumption of foods with vitamin C. It is important to include in the menu foods rich in B vitamins, as well as fruits and vegetables. - For urolithiasis
. Stones form when there is an increased concentration of uric acid. The alkaline diet menu should include dairy products, fruits, cereals and foods with large amounts of ascorbic acid. - For phosphate stones
. Stones form when the content of calcium and magnesium salts is high. You need to give up dairy products, but grains, legumes, protein products and green vegetables, as well as sour berries, should be in your diet.
Alkaline diet: list of products
In addition to dividing food products into alkaline and acidic, they are also divided according to the scale of reaction severity: from low to high. Highly acidic foods include sugar, baked goods and fatty meats. Also here you can note any food that has been subjected to heat treatment, containing a lot of salt or other food additives. It is sodium chloride that affects the narrowing of blood vessels and an increase in acidity levels. It is better to remove these products completely or use them in limited quantities. Slightly larger amounts of food with weak acidity are allowed: poultry, eggs and lean fish. Alkalinizing foods include fresh fruits and vegetables.
In some sources you can find an additional category of products: neutral (oils of plant and animal origin). They do not particularly affect the acid-base balance, but they contain a lot of calories. Therefore, if the goal is to quickly, at least briefly, get rid of excess weight, then these products are definitely not for your menu.
As a rule, there is nothing in common between the taste of food and its acid-base reaction. For example, lemons taste sour, but after digestion they alkalize the body. And products of animal origin are the opposite: they contain many alkalis, but when digested, they give an acidic reaction.
Alkaline diet (foods) – table
When creating a diet for yourself, you must definitely pay attention to healthy foods to reduce acidity:
- Greenery
. Celery, dill, parsley and lettuce are especially useful for reducing pH. - Lemon
. Although the composition contains a lot of ascorbic acid, when digested, citrus turns into an alkaline compound. - Raw root vegetables
. Includes an alkaline diet, foods that quickly normalize the acid-base balance, this can be beets, radishes, carrots, parsley root and so on. - Avocado
. This fruit quickly restores pH balance, and it also contains healthy fats and antioxidants. - Celery
. An alkaline diet can include roots and stems, which normalize the alkaline background and are suppliers of vitamins and minerals.
Fully or partially restricted products
If you want to improve your health, you don't have to completely eliminate any foods. The main thing is that there are no more than 20% of them in the diet. But, if you want to lose weight, then you still have to give up:
- Sahara;
- muffins;
- artificial sauces;
- smoked;
- sweet;
- alcohol.
And now a list of what you just need to limit:
- any meat;
- milk products;
- eggs;
- fish;
- pasta;
- nuts;
- Tea coffee;
- legumes
Diet menu
The fundamental factor in the alkaline diet program is not a strict diet, but compliance with the correct proportions of alkaline and acidic foods. We are ready to help you and give you a sample menu for the week.
Diet table
Day of the week | Breakfast | Dinner | Dinner |
Monday | One red and one green vegetable | Buckwheat noodles and chicken fillet | Barley with apple |
Tuesday | Cabbage salad, herbal tea | Vegetable soup | Millet with pumpkin |
Wednesday | Steamed omelette, citrus | Stewed cabbage | Baked fish, vegetable salad |
Thursday | Vegetable salad | Beet soup | Carrot casserole |
Friday | Boiled brown rice | Cabbage soup without meat | Potato casserole, vegetable salad |
Saturday | Oatmeal | Mushroom soup | Vegetable cabbage rolls |
Sunday | Zucchini pancakes | Buckwheat with chicken | Vegetable salad |
For drinks you can use green tea, rosehip infusion or freshly squeezed juice. Snacks are allowed: these can be vegetables, fruits or nuts. As an exception, you are allowed to drink a glass of skim milk or natural yogurt.
Alkaline diet for weight loss: menu for the week
With this method of losing weight and shedding extra pounds, the menu for the whole week may differ significantly; for this you should rely on the main list of products and rules that should be followed during the weight loss process.
First day: for breakfast you can eat any fruit, yogurt, second breakfast - banana, for lunch - pasta with mushrooms and tomatoes, afternoon snack - pineapple. Dinner should include a vegetable salad with olive oil, as well as chicken breast - 100 grams.
On the second day, you can use a two-egg omelet for breakfast, 100 grams of any type of dried fruit for second breakfast, and chicken broth soup with broccoli for lunch. An afternoon snack can include various smoothies made from milk, banana and cherries, and for dinner you can eat any vegetables, as well as 100 grams of boiled fish.
The rest of the menu should be made up of identical products.
Recipes for suitable dishes
All of them are very easy to prepare.
Cold beet soup
Ingredients:
- kefir;
- water;
- chicken fillet;
- potato;
- beet;
- cucumbers
Boil small beets until tender and grate. A glass of kefir must be diluted with the same volume of water. Cut two fresh cucumbers into small pieces. Boil 100-150 grams of chicken fillet and two potatoes. Grind them in the same way as other solid foods. Pour a glass of diluted kefir over the prepared ingredients and let the dish brew.
When serving the dish, you can garnish the portion with a beautifully chopped boiled egg or fresh herbs.
Millet porridge with dried fruits
Ingredients:
- millet;
- water;
- dried fruits.
To get rid of the bitterness of millet, it must be thoroughly washed and soaked in hot water for a while. Add dried apricots, dried apples, prunes or raisins to the cereal to taste. Next, pour in 2.5 cups of water and place the pan over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce it to low.
Stuffed cabbage rolls with vegetables
Ingredients:
- rice;
- carrot;
- bulb;
- cabbage;
- tomato sauce.
You need to take unpolished rice, boil it until half cooked. Grate the carrots and chop the onion. Next, mix them with rice. Place the resulting filling in cabbage leaves and wrap. Place the cabbage rolls in a saucepan and fill with water. To improve the taste, you can add diluted tomato paste at the end of cooking.
How to get off an alkaline diet
You need to get out of it carefully and gradually. You should not immediately pounce on your favorite smoked meats, fatty meats, sweets and fast food: all these products will greatly overload the body, and the feeling of lightness that you gained while following the technique will quickly disappear.
Don’t rush to give up fruits and vegetables: try to add them more often to main dishes. Leave snacks: muesli, dried fruits, dairy products and fresh juices - this will help fight hunger and not lapse into junk food. Dinner, even after the end of the program, should remain light: vegetable salad or lean meat.
Expert opinion
The question of leaving the alkaline diet - like any other - will be clarified individually by each person’s doctor. It is known that many would like to maintain the results of losing weight, but people almost always (in 95-97% of cases) are drawn to return to their usual diet. And - alas, they very quickly regain everything that they dropped, and often even more. But if you make proper nutrition a habit, you will not have the desire to return to your normal diet. How can you forget your previous eating habits and develop a healthy approach to your own menu? Very simple. The creation of new healthy habits is carried out by weight loss specialists, professionals from weight loss and weight loss clinics. By following their simple and ridiculously obvious rules, everyone will not only relatively quickly lose all those extra pounds, but also maintain the results obtained.