Am going on a long vacation soon and I really like to “pig out” on vacations … so I think it’s time to shed a couple of pounds ( all of which I will most certainly put back on… when I am vacationing ) so tomorrow on, am going to start ” MY” version of the alkaline diet which never fails to make me lose some extra pounds.
An alkaline diet is basically one that changes the PH of your body to a more alkaline body type, putting it into a more healthy mode. To see a typical alkaline diet…. check out the links below. My problem however is that I find it difficult to entirely follow all the principles of the diet for an extended period of time. I like dairy, fruit, nuts, chocolate and fish which you must typically eat less of when you strictly follow the alkaline diet. So last summer I came up with a ” cheat version ” of the diet and tried it out on myself and it worked great. I even tested myself using alkaline strips. My version below.
Basically, you’re trying to make your body more alkaline so the lbs will just drop off.
If you go online… you’ll find a lot of lists under alkaline foods… check them out. I have provided a few links below. They may be a little stringent in terms of what to eat and what not to eat…but here are some easy cheat tips ( not given in those diet plans ) that will alkalize your body quickly without strictly following the alkaline diets. Using these cheat tips, you can eat a more normal sort of a diet and still be alkaline.
- First thing in the morning and last thing in the night… Drink a glass of water with 1/4 tsp of sodium bicarbonate in it. Go easy on it starting with once a day since it could upset your stomach .Once used to it -try it two times a day. Do not use Na bicarb if you have high BP (Blood Pressure)
- Drink water spiked with lime / lemon juice (no sugar) as often as you can. Once you start drinking lemon water, it will become a second nature.
- There is also Alkaline water which has a PH of 9.5 which will make your body very alkaline. I have provided a link below if you want to try it
- Drink at least 3-4 glasses of fresh juice per day (no sugar ). This will drastically alkalize your body. Fruit and Veggie juices should be made using a juicer. It has to be non pasteurized juice which is not generally sold in stores. Good Alkaline juices are cucumber, celery, tomatoes, citrus etc. If you’re diabetic you’re better off with veggie juices. If you want to dispense with the chore of juicing, you could get 32 oz (4 glasses) of fresh made juice at Robeks for just $5.99.
- Avoid soda, coffee, chocolate and too much meat (these create acid) at least for some time. Tea is OK. Green tea or Oolong tea will boost metabolism.
- Take a spirulina supplement or any other green food supplement – Wheat Grass, Liquid Chlorophyll or anything similar. If Aloe vera juice is available – that’s great too. These speed up the PH becoming alkaline.
- Apart from that just eat a healthy diet with emphasis on veggies and fruit and more fish and egg since these are less acidic than other meats. Try to avoid foods that are very highly acidic. See lists on Internet or on the links provided below.
It will take a week or two for your body to switch to the alkaline mode, but once it does… you’ll automatically shed 2-3 lbs per week. Include exercise and drink at least 8 glasses of water.
Important to follow the cheat tips like the Na bicarbonate … Good to get a juicer with a large feeder …easier to juice. Costco had a good one “Jack Lalanne juicer“$ 100.00. Very large feeder…no need to cut up apples and carrots etc…Easier to clean up etc.
After the wt loss, don’t have to be as strict with the diet, but continue the juice at least 2 times per day to maintain an alkaline PH.
As in all types of diets, this may or may not work for you. Give it a shot if you wish and feel free to email or ask me any questions…. Happy alkalizing …!!
Update : please glance through the comments . I have answered some questions that are related to the article which you may find useful.
Click on the Links
Alkaline vs Acidic Foods
Alkaline recipes
Home made alkalizing formula using baking soda
PH of brands of Mineral water
Alkaline Vs Acidic sugars
Watch this video to get a better understanding of the ” Alkaline Diet”
Hi there! I’m Sunithi, AKA Sue, a registered dietitian with a sweet tooth and a passion for eating healthy (quite a combo) currently working as an independent consultant in the DC Metro area. I’m also a blogger, health nut, nutrition geek who jogs to keep sane :)! I love to revamp recipes and add some ‘Nutrition Bytes’ to them. All my recipes are gluten free! I also blog on natural health and fitness! Visit often and drop me a note if you have any nutrition queries!
Hey Sue, .. thanks ! your twist on the alkaline diet is much easier to follow. Question …. what Ph is ideal for Good health?
Hey Melissa, Just added a video to my post which talks about Ph balance. Check it out. 7 is neutral Ph. > 7 = Alkaline < 7 = AcidicAim for 7 and above. Leaning towards 8.5 and higher is good for Good Health. You can test using strips if you want.
Thanks ! any other signs to tell if your Ph is alkaline ?? Apart from strips that is ??
Well Melissa, you can usually feel it as in more energy, less tiredness, less craving for sweets…and after a few days .. will feel lighter and more clear headed too… since it's also a detox.
Na bicarb … Is that baking soda ?? and what does it do??
Hi Sunithi, really like the easy version. Am going to give it a try ;0) ! Have a question for you – Is Selzer water which I use a lot alkaline ? Am hoping it is :0) and how about mineral water?
Steve, Na bicarb is common baking soda. It is also called alkaline salt and is used as a pH regulator to maintain stable alkaline conditions. Basicallly can neutralize the Ph blance. Have just provided a link of some alkalizing formulas using baking soda in my post check it out.
Hi Jenny,Seltzer water is just water that has been infused with carbon dioxide and Carbon dioxide can change the pH of water to a an acidic pH ( unfortunately ).Water has a neutral ph of 7 which changes to 5.5( acidic) when Carbon dioxide is added to it.Mineral water is supposed to be alkaline … but not all brands. Have provided a link in the post with the pH of mineral waters … hope you find that helpful. Ps – I like selzer water too and use it to spritz up fruit juices.
Resources like the one you mentioned here will be very useful to me! I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful.
@ Alkaline recipes, Thank you ! Please feel free to put a link on yout site. I went through a lot of sites and found yours to be the most comprehensive and intresting on the " Alkaline Diet" :)! Since I have recieved a lot of questions via email on this diet am looking into pulling one of your charts on my sidebar and doing a follow up post in about 2 weeks. Will definately redirect to your blog then too!
Hi Sunithi,Am new to your space. Was directed here by a friend who knows I follow the alkaline diet. Your version is much easier and the links are very helpful. Thank you !! Also have a question …Are there any sweetners, sugars with an alkaline Ph?
Great links and advice …. am trying this diet,Hope it works :)Thank you !!
You've just inspired me to pull out my juicer! And also learn more about this alkaline diet…
@ Mark, This version is easier… am glad you think so too! I just posted a new link on my blog for Alkaline and Acidic sugars. Check it out. To summarise- Stevia -the most alkalineMaple syrup, Rice syrup -alkalineRaw honey,raw sugar -low alkaline Processed honey – mildly acidic Brown sugar, white sugar-acidicArtificial sweetners,chocolate-high acidic.Hope this helps
@ Lisa … all the best ! will keep my fingers crossed for you. Feel free to share feedback.
Hey Lucy, Do juice please .. then we can share juicing recipes on BFF :)! I will be visiting your space too!
Great blog and nutrition site! I have put in favorites. Thank you for visiting Mama's Little Chick. You shoul join my network, Mama's Little Nestwork. It is a great group of bloggers! Have a good night!Mama Hen http://www.mamaslittlenestwork.com
@ Mamma hen ! Thank You ! Will check out your nestwork and join :)!
Am your newest follower and thanks for the tips.please follow me back at <a href="http://nzeremm.blogspot.comhttp://nzeremm.blogspot.com<br />and also check out my awesome giveaways.
Sure May, will check out your blog soon:)! Visit often !
This is my kind of blog! I am into good nutrition and i love this post! I had no idea that an alkaline diet existed. Will check it out. Found you on FNF Weekend hop! New follower!Miriamhttp://productjunkiemama.blogspot.com
Hi! Visiting from the weekend blog hop – joined via GFC, please visit my blog at http://www.fourlittlemonsters.com and join/like/follow back if you can! Keep up the great blog 🙂
I am visiting from the hop! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would follow me back! Thanks!-Nikkihttp://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/
Hi! Stopping by from MBC. Great blog!Have a nice day!
Interesting post, never tried the alkaline diet. I know other people that have though. New follower from MBC, have a great weekend!http://wvfrugal-wvsaver.blogspot.com/
hi there:) I´m not so sure I will go for this diet, but I´de like to keep up with your thoughts and learn from you, so here I am, signing up as a follower! I just started a"how to loose 6 kilos in 6 weeks" myself, and if you´de like to check it out you can at thegrandproject.blogspot.com!sending you a big have-a-great-day all the way from Gjerdrum, norway! renate
Great post! I'm a new follower from Monday Mingle. http://www.grandmasguidetolife.blogspot.com
Greetings!I'm stopping by from the Monday Mingle Blog Hop!Feel free to stop by my blog http://www.giftedpleasures.blogspot.com and follow also.Have a wonder-full day!
VERY helpful! Thanks! Hey, following back from MondayMingle. 🙂 Thanks for linking up! I hope you have a great 4th! 😀
i need this to be inspired on gettig healthy, following you back
Wow! This is something new I've never heard of before! Thanks for sharing this info! I will definitely have to try it! I'm your newest follower from Monday Mingle Blog Hop! Also, I wanted to tell you personally that I have a site that allows women to engage and really connect with each other. You won't find the same unpromising atmosphere that you normally do elsewhere. Our site allows you to gain INSTANT followers (yes, they really do follow, you'll see), INCREASE YOUR TRAFFIC, and have a chance to connect with some great women. The traffic we generate for our members is usually VERY good considering we're a fairly new site. In just 2 weeks after our relaunch, we've accumulated over 5,200 posts! Please come take a look and I guarantee you will be impressed with the results. You may also want to join us for one of our events that really do help you gain immediate followers I WILL Follow You! (Increase Your Site's Follower List). Hope to see you there!Sincerely,Lexie Lane http://www.voiceboks.com
Hi there! First of all thank you for being my newest follower @ Her Cup Runs Over. I am following you right back and as I'm here looking around I LOVE this information! I actually just did a post about making some better health choices… <a href="http://hercuprunsover.com/?p=456http://hercuprunsover.com/?p=456<br />Glad to knwo where to get some great tips! :)Shannon
Very Interesting, Love it! Nice site, I will be sure to come back to visit! Visiting you from twitter moms!Rachel <a href="http://www.reasonablyless.comwww.reasonablyless.com<br />“Mommy freebies, coupons and Advice on using coupons”
Very Interesting, Love it! Nice site, I will be sure to come back to visit! Visiting you from twitter moms!Rachel <a href="http://www.reasonablyless.comwww.reasonablyless.com<br />“Mommy freebies, coupons and Advice on using coupons”
Thanks for the tips. Following you back from Adventures of My Life
Interesting. Will have to try this!
Hi sue just returning the follow from jollyjillysenjoyed your blog very interesting and some great ideas
I have a book on the pH diet. I also have several other books. I was trying (for a very short time, since it's darn near impossible) the anti-yeast diet. The pH diet at least seems a little easier. Thanks for your "twist" on it.
I drink fresh juice 2x a day and have water first thing in the morning and right before bed! And I try my best to have lemmas in my water when I remember! I eat more of a raw vegan diet which share some of the principal of the Alkaline diet! Very informative post!
Hi, glad I found you. I have never heard of an alkaline diet. The one thing that trips me up is giving up chocolate and especially coffee. Is there a recommended way to give up coffee? Just got a Keurig machine too.
Lots of interesting information in the comments too. I was just wondering if there is any benefit to this besides losing weight. It seems like it's just healthy and better for you even if you're not interested in weight loss.
Yeah supposed to be good to keep disease away like arthiritis, cholesterol, BP, cancers everything. If the body has a more alkaline balance youre suppposed to be in real good health. Lotsa energy too! which is why I need to get back on it soon. I felt so healthy when I was following it 🙂 Thanks again for stopping by !