Your body’s pH balance is an extremely important measure of what is going on inside you, from the size and flow of your blood cells to the quality of your skin and your digestion. This may sound extreme, but it is important for your body to find its natural balance -- before a whole range of health problems and diseases creep their way into your life.
There is good news, though: in making the right diet and lifestyle choices, you have control over your body's pH.
A little background info on pH
Your body is measured on a scale of “potential hydrogen” or pH. When your pH level is low (one to six on the pH scale) your body is considered to be in an acidic state. When your pH levels are high ( eight to 14 on the pH scale) your body is considered to be more alkaline. In order to reach an optimum level that is considered healthy or neutral, you want your pH to be around seven.
What causes high acid levels:
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Stress, tension
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Poor sleep habits
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Environmental toxins
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Household chemicals and cleaners
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Coffee
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Alcohol
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Red meat or a high-protein diet
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Refined sugars
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Dairy
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Processed foods and refined carbohydrates
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Eating too few fruits and vegetables
What can an acidic state lead to:
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Low energy
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Poor health
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Weight gain
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Toxicity
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Osteoporosis
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Bladder infections
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Kidney stones
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Lethargy
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Colds/flu
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Infections (weak immune system)
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Poor skin, hair and nails
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Poor concentration
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Diabetes
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Mood swings
Choosing an alkaline-based diet means:
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Drinking more filtered water daily (have one or two glasses of lemon water every morning: one wedge of lemon squeezed into warm water)
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Consuming more fruits and vegetables (juices, smoothies, whole fruits and whole vegetables)
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Drinking herbal teas
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Eating a more plant-based diet
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Eating whole grains, raw nuts and seeds, cold-pressed vegetable oils and avocados
Lifestyle habits that can help:
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Going to bed at a regular time
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Eating breakfast every day
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Clearing your environment or your home of toxic chemicals
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Taking deep breaths (belly breathing)
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Having warm baths with Epsom salts and essential oils like lavender, mint, eucalyptus or lemon
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Taking time to walk outside and enjoy nature
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Taking time for yourself (journaling, reading, singing, yoga, pilates…whatever makes you happy!)
As you can see, there are so many things that you can do to counteract high acid levels in your body. Particularly when it comes to diet, it is extremely important to make the right choices and choose foods that contribute to a more alkaline state -- which means, for the most part, a plant-based diet.
This doesn't mean that you can’t eat any foods that are considered acidic -- even grains and nuts are considered to be acidic. It just means that for the most part, you should focus on consuming more raw or steamed green veggies, big colourful salads, fresh raw, ripe organic fruits, smoothies and juices.
Green beans almondine
Directions:
2 cups water
1 cup almonds, chopped and toasted
2 lbs. green beans, ends trimmed, and strings removed
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 Tbsp grapeseed oil
2 Tbsp Tamari
1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
Directions:
1. Place the green beans in a large steamer basket and steam for 3-5 minutes or until tender. Place under cool running water to halt the cooking and maintain a bright green colour. Transfer the steamed green beans to a large bowl.
2. Season the green beans to taste with salt and pepper, toss gently, and set aside.
3. In a non-stick skillet, warm grapeseed oil gently and add the green beans and sauté for 3-5 minutes.
4. Remove the skillet from the heat, add the remaining ingredients (sesame oil and tamari), and stir well to combine. Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the green beans and toss well to thoroughly coat the beans with the mixture.
Marni Wasserman
is a culinary nutritionist in Toronto whose philosophy is stemmed
around whole foods. She is dedicated to providing balanced lifestyle
choices through natural foods. Using passion and experience, she strives
to educate individuals on how everyday eating can be simple and
delicious.