Our bodies are living organisms that work constantly to regulate ourselves internally to functional healthfully and normally.
All foods have a pH balance that determines how acidic or alkaline they are. Eating too many acidic foods can disrupt the natural pH balance of our bodies.
When our pH balance is disrupted (our ideal pH balance is around 7.3, which is slightly alkaline) it can manifest through physical symptoms.
Our bodies are pretty adept at regulating our internal pH balances, but highly acidic foods, or foods that overproduce acid in the body, can exacerbate many existing conditions.
From the relatively common acid reflux to pelvic floor dysfunction and interstitial cystitis, over consuming acidic foods can cause a lot of discomfort.
Too much acid in the body can make urine acidic, which can cause burning and other unsavory symptoms. Acid can also worsen inflammation in the body. That’s why eating a diet rich in low acid foods is important for those suffering from conditions worsened by acidity.
Regardless of whether you deal with pain, acid reflux, inflammation or a more severe condition, here are the 46 low acid foods you can eat every day to maintain a proper pH balance and keep your body happy and healthy.
You can do a little test to see if your diet is affecting your health. When you aren’t experiencing symptoms or are just experiencing mild ones, consume an acidic food like meat or coffee. If your symptoms worsen, you could benefit from a low acid diet.
It’s important to note that even foods you wouldn’t necessarily say seem or taste acidic can be high acid foods. For example, most animal products become acidic in the body and can cause inflammatory issues. Sugar, alcohol, dairy, grains, and eggs can all produce extra acid in the body even though you wouldn’t always know it from their taste.
Many celebs like Tom Brady swear by this diet because some health experts believe that our body functions at its highest level when fed alkaline, low acidity foods.
Consider lowering your intake of acidic foods in favor of these low acid food options.
There is a pretty well-recognized list of the 7 most alkaline foods:
Cucumber
It’s no surprise that mostly greens makes up our super 7 list. Cucumbers are mostly water and pack lots of detoxifying vitamins for a healthy, alkaline snack.
Avocado
This is a highly alkaline (low acid) food that packs a punch of healthy fat. I know all the fellow avocado lovers are rejoicing with me right now.
Leafy Greens (Spinach & Kale)
See? You really should eat your greens for more reasons than one. Not only are leafy greens packed with vitamins and minerals to make them some of the most nutritionally dense foods you can eat, they’re also staples in a low acid diet.
Get your salad, juice, or smoothie on and get your greens in.
Wheatgrasses & Sprouts
Not loving sprouts? Through them on a sandwich, because they’re powerful low acid superfoods.
Consume wheatgrass in moderation and it will do you wonders. It has lots of vitamins. You wouldn’t expect it, but it has notable amounts of vitamin C. The flavor isn’t anything to write home about so I throw it in a smoothie with strong flavored fruit.
Broccoli
There’s a reason mom always told you to eat broccoli. Steam it, roast it, turn it into a soup—just get your fix and enjoy the alkalizing benefits.
Celery
It still counts if you go the ants on a log route. Just make sure you’re using almond or cashew butter as peanuts are acidic.
Bell Pepper
Bell peppers are great sources of vitamin C and are very alkalizing in the body. Although, many may choose not to consume bell pepper since it is a nightshade and can aggravate conditions like arthritis and psoriasis.
These are the top alkaline foods you can consume.
Aside from the top 7, there is a whole slew of foods that have low acidity too, so you can plan your diet accordingly.
Veggies:
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Chives
- Sweet Potatoes
- Onions
- Squash
Fruit:
- Watermelon
- Raspberries
- Mango
- Tangerines
- Lemons (Yes! Although tomatoes and lemons taste acidic, they alkalize in the body)
- Tomatoes
- Avocado
- Coconut
Beans & Proteins:
- Black Eyed Peas
- Chickpeas
- Pinto Beans
- White Beans
- Lentils
- Tofu/Soy
Fats/Misc:
- Olive Oil
- Cayenne Pepper
- Avocado Oil
- Flax Oil
- Parsley
- Chives
- Herbal & Green Teas
Dairy/Alternatives
- Goat Milk
- Almond Milk
- Cashew Milk
- Coconut Milk
Grains, Seeds, & Nuts
- Buckwheat
- Quinoa
- Cashews
- Almonds
- Pepitas
- Flaxseed
- Walnuts
Try to limit your intake of high inflammatory foods like meat, most dairy, sugars and sweeteners, coffee, alcohol, refined grains, and mushrooms.
This isn’t an exhaustive list as there are many other foods that are low acid or which have alkaline effects in the body, but this is a list of my favorite low acid foods to incorporate into your daily diet for optimum health.
Love this food list? Get your foodie fix with our Ultimate Clean Eating Food List and get a free shopping list download.
