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, its also known for its relatively high levels of protein for a
grain, and its full of vitamins and minerals that are essential for overall
health. If youre not sure how to prepare it for you and your family, there are
plenty of recipes available to bring you up to speed.
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 bodys pH levels.
Theyre 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.
4. Arugula
Heres a leafy green thats worth getting to know. Arugula is often used as
part of a detox diet plan, and the fact that its 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 youre getting enough. Add arugula to your cart next time
you go shopping
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.
8. Beetroot
Beetroot gets more attention now than ever before, and its one of the foods
out there that will act to help raise your pH levels. The reason its an
important vegetable to include in your arsenal is because its 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 its easy to understand that its 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 theyre 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.
11. Buckwheat
Buckwheat gets mentioned a lot in health food circles because it doesnt
contain wheat, but has a similar texture when its in noodle form. Great for
gluten-free followers. Its also an alkaline food, so you can eat it without
worrying if it will be acidic in your system. Its also a surprisingly good source
of protein, and has a decent amount of iron in it as well. If youve never used
buckwheat in your cooking before, there are plenty of recipes available to get
your feet wet.
12. Cabbage
If you dont like the taste of cabbage, keep an open mind. It could be that you
just havent found a good recipe for it. Its really easy to cook cabbage poorly,
so give it another try if its on your Do Not Eat list. In addition to its alkalinity,
its 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 its a
winner for just about every diet out there.
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 theyre 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.
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 its a great non-fruit source
of Vitamin C. Its 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 its tender and easy
to eat. If youre stuck on ideas for how to prepare it and
15. Celery
Youve got to love celery, even if you dont necessarily love the taste. In
addition to being an alkaline food its also very low in calories, and can help
you body with a host of different benefits. If you dont like crunching it up and
having the strands get stuck in your teeth, pulverize it in a blender while
youre making a green smoothie. It also plays well in a fruit smoothie, adding
a bit of spiciness without overshadowing the fruit flavors.
17. Chives
Its time to increase your intake of chives, and since they dont typically find
their way onto the plate, youll 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.
19. Coconut
Coconut is such a natural food that its no surprise that much of whats 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. Its
sometimes hard to think of ways to add more coconut into your life, since
youll want to avoid the packaged coconuts shavings used in baking. Youll
want to stick to things like coconut oil, and fresh coconut flesh in order to
reap the rewards.
21. Cucumber
Heres a heavy hitter that youll want to keep a stock of in your refrigerator.
Its alkaline, and contains so much water that its a very hydrating vegetable.
Keep the peels on for the best results, but if thats 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.
22. Cumin
Cumin is one of those spices that you either have in your home, or you dont,
depending on the type of food youre used to cooking. If you already use it
often, just keep it up, but if youre not too familiar with it, its time to add it to
your cart the next time youre out shopping. Its a spice that can actually help
your body neutralize the acidic foods you eat, which means that its going to
have a doubling effect when used in conjunction with vegetables and other
alkaline foods.
23. Dandelion
Youll 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, its worth it. Its 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 offoods 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 youre
veggie shopping. It also provides an alkaline effect, and are one of the foods
that you can eat as much as youd like. Theyre 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, its one of the
most popular vegetables, with side dishes and entree recipes galore.
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, youll be doing the body a favor.
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 youre trying to follow an alkaline diet. Its
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 youre getting multiple
benefits just by adding more garlic to the mix. Try stir frying alkaline
vegetables with a couple of cloves of garlic. Yum!
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. Its also an alkaline food, so its something that you can add to a
meal and know that its 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
Top stats:
Varies by brand.
31. Grapefruit
Heres a superstar food that shows up all over the place. Its a superfood, it
helps to lose weight by boosting your metabolism, and its even been dubbed
one of the healthiest foods on Earth. So what else can this wonderkid do?
Turns out its 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%
Top stats:
Varies by type and brand.
34. Kale
Youve just gotta jump on board the kale train, because it has so many health
benefits youre really missing out on if you dont. 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 youre getting a
calcium top-up, fighting cancer, and getting more fiber. A force to be
reckoned with!
35. Kelp
If you dont 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 youre helping
your alkaline efforts by getting more kelp.
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 youll 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.
38. Lemon
This is a surprising entry on our list because your mouth may be puckering by
just reading the word lemon. Its 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 its very low in sugar so its 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 its good to use more of it
each day.
40. Lettuce
While many say that regular lettuce is devoid of any nutritional value, it still
produces an alkaline effect on the body, so its 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 youre
eating lettuce of any kind, youre getting phytonutrients and helping your
body get to or stay on the alkaline side of the pH scale.
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 its 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 youd eat an orange, so its best to use it as an
ingredient in other dishes, or infuse some of your cooking with the flavor of
lime.
43. Millet
Millet is one grain that doesnt contain gluten, and is a popular choice for
those following a gluten-free diet. The reason its so popular is that its 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 youre getting a better bang for
your buck, and also help to stay off the acidic side of the pH scale.
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, its 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%
49. Okra
Okra gets talked about a lot in health food circles, and with its unique blend
of vitamins and minerals its easy to see why. Its also included in the family
of foods that are alkaline, and you can basically eat it to your hearts content
because it will only help your body stay or get alkaline. The one trip up you
might have is if youre not familiar with how to prepare it, but its worth
getting up to speed and eating more okra.
51. Onion
Onions are an alkaline food that you may already eat on a regular basis. You
just want to make sure that youre 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 youll increase the alkalinity, but dont
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.
53. Peas
Peas are a top contender for side dish of the year, and so its great that
theyre an alkaline food. Peas usually hold their own and dont 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 youve never tried eating unbuttered peas, give
it a try. Theyre tasty enough all by themselves, and youll be cutting back on
fat and calories as well.
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
its also a good source of Vitamin C. Its great in a smoothie, or as a snack
while youre on the go. If you do drink the juice just make sure that theres no
sugar added, and that its not mixed with high sugar fruits, or the alkalinity
may be lost.
57. Quinoa
Quinoa is getting more and more mainstream attention as one of the
healthiest foods you probably arent eating. The reason is that its so versatile
and easy to use, and has more vitamins and minerals than many other grains
out there. Its a seed, and its gluten-free. It isnt excessively alkaline, but
enough so that youre 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 cant go wrong with radishes, theyve 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.
60. Rhubarb
Rhubarb can be a hard food to familiarize yourself with, because while it may
appear to be a vegetable, its really a fruit. Its one of the few fruits that are
on our list of alkaline foods. It may look like a bizarre form of celery, and its
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.
62. Soybeans
Ever wonder why soybeans are thought to be so healthy? One reason is that
theyre an alkaline-forming food. Theyve also been big in vegetarian circles
for quite some time because theyre a non-meat source of iron. They also
provide a non-dairy source of calcium, so theyre something that youll
basically need to add to your diet if you plan on cutting back on meat and
cutting out the dairy to stay alkaline.
63. Spinach
Heres an alkaline powerhouse that youre probably already very familiar
with. Spinach is the leafy green that is most notorious for its health benefits,
and it doesnt really matter what form you eat it in, youll be helping your
body go alkaline. One of the best ways weve found is to buy baby spinach
and use it as a base for a salad. Since there are so many alkalizing
vegetables its super easy to concoct a salad that will send your pH levels
rising.
64. Sprouts
Its hard to make a side dish out of just sprouts, let alone a meal, but theyre
a great sidekick to other veggies, they go great in a stir fry, and they blend
up easily. You dont 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 youre out.
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. Its also becoming
understood that this is a superspice, with antioxidants all its own, and plenty
of nutrients in such a small herb.
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 dont have to go fully vegetarian to get the same benefits, as
most alkaline diets allow for a some acidic foods to be eaten daily.
71. Tomato
What cant tomatoes do? Theyve got plenty of lycopene in them, as well as
antioxidants, and theyve been shown to help the heart and help us to live
long and happy lives. In addition to that theyre 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
bodys overall pH.
72. Watercress
Heres another leafy green that can help you to keep your body alkaline. As a
bonus its full of plenty of other vitamins so youre 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. Its even been shown to help repair
damage to the DNA, which can be a big help in preventing and reversing
cancer.
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. Its 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.