Our bodies are meant to be slightly alkaline, around 7.35. However, because of our diets, most people are highly acidic. The more acidic your body, the more prone you are to health issues, such as the common cold, autoimmune disease, cancer, etc. Harmful bacteria thrive in an acidic state, making it more difficult for your body to perform basic functions. Eating a diet high in Alkaline foods can prevent disease, and even eliminate disease if you already have it. That doesn't mean you can't eat from the acidic side, but it's best to eat at least 60% alkaline foods. If you are combating a disease, closer to 80% is better. This chart will show you where foods fall in the acidic/alkaline balance.
Acidic/Alkaline Chart
As a rule of thumb, if you just make sure that 2/3 of your plate is filled with green vegetables, you are probably good. It's also a good idea to buy PH strips (you can get them from any pharmacy) and test your PH levels. It's best to do it in the morning, after your first elimination but before you eat, to see what your standing level is. If you are below 7.0, you might want to focus on improving your diet.
Green Smoothies are a great and easy way to get those essential alkalizing veggies into your body. Snacking on almonds, or almond butter, adding Cinnamon to your food and switching your sweetener to Stevia will also help. Start making the shifts, and you will feel better and your body will thank you for it.
