From: Nancy Desjardins
In order to maintain optimal health, we need to watch the chemical balances in our bodies. How can we do that, you ask? Basically, with healthy eating habits. You see, the body is balanced much like a swimming pool. Too much acid, and it becomes inhabitable - too little acid, and you'll get algae. Now, this is not to say you're going to turn green or start emitting waves of sulphuric acid if you're unbalanced, but your body does need to maintain that equilibrium in order to stay fresh, clear and disease free.
So what's this chemical balance all about? It's called pH. Without giving you a lesson in Chemistry 101, suffice it to say that pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in your blood. The lower your pH, the stronger the acid content in your body, more commonly known as acidity. The higher your pH, the more alkaline your body is. A normal pH balance hovers around 7. Being too acidic or alkaline is bad for your body and can cause a wealth of health issues and problems, so you want to avoid that. Your best bet is to try to maintain a balance. You can do that by following the 80/20 rule.
The 80/20 rule will help keep your body balanced and avoid illness and disease. So here's what you do - every meal, fill your plate with at least 80% alkaline-forming foods like vegetables, and 20% acid-forming foods, such as meats and white pasta. Also look at it this way: 80% of your food should be in raw form, while 20% of it should be cooked.
It's essential for your body to maintain this very fine balance between alkaline and acidic. If it changes too much, you may develop acidosis at one end or alkalosis at the other, which can lead to coma and death. Some types of acidic foods include vinegar, orange juice, coffee and soda water. This is not to say you can't drink or eat those foods - but in moderation.
Think of it this way. At the far extreme of alkaline (or base), your body may be considered to comprised of ammonia or concentrated lye. Definitely not good. At the other end of the spectrum, if you're body is too acidic, it may be considered to be similar to battery acid. That's not good either. What do you aim for? Neutral. Neutral pH measures about 7, while alkaline measures about 14 and acidic measures 0.
What kinds of foods should you eat or stay away from to help maintain a neutral pH balance? Take a look at the following:
Try to eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals such as vegetables, roots and tubers (such as ginger root, sweet potatoes, parsnips, etc.) and baby greens and sprouts. This group includes but is not limited to lentils, mung beans, alfalfa, onion and radishes. Include plenty of salad greens in your diet as well, including spinach, mustard and collard greens, bok choy and lettuces, just to name a few.
Try to keep foods such as those listed next to under 15% of your daily intake: dried fruits, bananas, dates and oranges. Limit cereals and flours to less than 10% of your daily diet.
When choosing alkaline snack foods, go for those that contain protein, vitamins and minerals such as almonds, seed mix (stick to sesame, sunflower, pumpkin and flax seeds) as well as fresh vegetable juices, raw veggies and - hang onto your hat - raw chocolate. Yes! I said raw chocolate! Yippee! (Up to 75% raw chocolate or cocoa).
Make the 80/20 rule work for you as you start a plan to eat healthier. Learn about chemical balances in your body and watch your acid or alkaline intake. You don't want to swim in a cloudy or green pool any more than you should want your body to be all gunked up. Treat your body with as much care as you would a swimming pool and you'll do okay. So what are you waiting for? Start watching what you eat - today - and start yourself off on the right track. Remember, education is power, and it's your body. Do the best you can to encourage optimal health and physical fitness by watching what you eat, and how much you eat of it.
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