As humans, our diet must contain different food varieties to maintain the balance of vitamins and minerals in our body. It takes quite an effort to do this these days because most of us are too busy working nine to five jobs and living fast-paced modern lives that we end up prioritizing work over nutrition. When we do get a good sixty minutes to sit down and eat a meal, we choose fast food over healthy and nutritious food mainly because they come in colorful packaging, they don’t take hours to prepare (sometimes you just need to add hot water), they make our taste buds happy (can’t say the same for our bodies), and they are easy to dispose. Fast, cheap, and easy.
Another downside to this generation’s fast-paced lifestyle and technological advancements is that the fruits and vegetables that we see on the market are in no way similar to the fruits and vegetables from more than four decades ago. These days, fruits and vegetables are injected with all sorts of chemicals to speed up their growth and to make them look delicious so they can meet the demands of the market. Of course the sticker that says “organic” is the finishing touch. After all, people these days would buy anything that says “organic” in a heartbeat.
And then we have bottles upon bottles of dietary supplements. We’re convinced that for as long as we take these dietary supplements after each meal, our body gets all of the nutrients that it needs. If you’re taking vitamin and mineral supplements, you must take note that the best time to take vitamins is in the morning because it boosts your energy (especially if you’re taking vitamin B12). Minerals, on the other hand, should be taken as the day is about to end to relax your body and give you a good night’s rest.
But then, if you think that nutrients from vitamin and mineral supplements are insufficient and you’d rather get your nutrients the old fashioned way, you can try these alkalized foods:
Cabbage
One of the vegetables present in almost every household is the cabbage. It’s inexpensive, you can use it in almost every dish, and it is packed with nutrients that are beneficial to the body. It has anti-carcinogenic, antibacterial, and anti-viral properties that help strengthen the body’s defenses against health disorders.
Here’s a tip: keep the water that you used in boiling the cabbage. You can still use it to make different sauces, or you may drink it to get more nutrients.
Buckwheat
Buckwheat, a good and healthy substitute for wheat, is a good source of rutin which helps boost your energy. It does a great job in preventing and treating strokes that were caused by blood vessels that could no longer function properly. Buckwheat is also an excellent treatment for people with varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
Flax seed
One of the healthiest foods that you can consume is flax because of its high levels of essential omega-3 fatty acids. It is rich in lignans that help fight off colon, prostate, and breast cancer. It also boosts kidney functions. Flax seed and flax seed oil can decrease cholesterol levels and normalize blood pressure. You can consume flax seeds directly, in oil form, add them as toppings to your favorite dishes or blend them into juices and smoothies.
Melon
Melons are delicious and are packed with nutrients that are very beneficial to the body. They contain vitamin B6, dietary fibre, vitamin A, folic acid, and potassium that work together to give our bodies the energy it needs to be able to function the whole day. It is also a natural anticoagulant that helps in blood thinning and lessens the risk of serious health conditions such as stroke and heart attack.
Olive oil
Olive oil is a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids. It also contains high levels of vitamin E, which is essential in preventing serious health conditions such as chest pain and heart attacks. It is also beneficial for menopausal women since it lessens hot flashes.
Here is a list of alkaline foods that you can add to your diet to help your body balance its alkaline levels and to strengthen your immune system:
- Sesame seeds and tahini (sesame seed paste)
- Brussels sprouts
- Zucchini
- Flax and flax seed oil
- Celery
- Soy and soy products
- Avocado
- Cabbage, sauerkraut
- Garlic
- Broccoli
- Buckwheat
- Cauliflower
- Soybean sprouts
- Leeks
- Millet
- Lemon and lime
- Chives
- Grapefruit
- Cucumber
- Alfalfa sprouts
- Green beans
- Lettuce
- Onion
- Parsley
- Radishes
- Tomato
- Spinach
- Watermelon
- Olives and olive oil
- Pears
- Wild rice
- Green peas
- Pumpkin
Acidic Foods
People who live in developed Western countries eat foods that increase the acidity in the body. These acidic foods are junk food products such as artificial sweeteners, sugar-loaded alcohol, cereals, and caffeine.
