The premise of an alkaline diet is that the nutrients found in supplements, alkalizing foods and water can bring the body back to balance. These vitamins, minerals and herbs infuse the body with new energy, vitality and better health.

Alkaline foods and water must be consumed in order to provide nutrients the body needs to neutralize acids and toxins in the blood, lymph, tissues and cells. When pH balance inside the body is “out of balance”, the body tries to correct it. This process can yield uncomfortable symptoms, including colds, flues, allergies, diseases, viruses and bacteria. 

When the pH level in our body is unbalanced, almost any area of the body can be affected. For example, when the nervous system is affected as the result of unbalanced pH balance, it shows up in the form of depression. When the cardiovascular system is affected, we could have heart disease or experience other heart-related problems, including thickening and hardening of the arteries, coronary heart disease, pain or discomfort in the chest, stroke, high blood pressure, and heart failure. When muscles are affected, we often feel fatigue and a lack of energy. When skin is affected by improper pH balance, we age quicker than normal. When the body’s pH level is in balance, the body reaches ideal weight and corrects negative health challenges naturally. 

Transitioning to a more alkaline healthy diet requires a shift in attitude towards food. The important point to remember is that small changes go a long way. Add more alkaline foods to your diet gradually. 

7 sure-fire ways to attain the benefits of an alkaline diet: 

1) Reduce the consumption of sugar and products made from sugar, including soda, pies, ice cream, jello, jams and jellies, artificial juices, puddings, doughnuts, corn syrups, chewing gum, sweetened drinks, cookies, breakfast cereals, liquor and mixed drinks. 

2) Avoid processed foods and condiments including ketchup, salad dressings, pickles, luncheon meats, canned fruits, breads, relish, cheese dips, peanut butter, prepared seafood, frozen vegetables, crackers, canned soups, hot dogs, sausages and sweetened yogurt. 

3) Avoid cooking and heating foods and drinks in the microwave. 

4) Avoid dairy, meats, fried foods and fast foods. 

5) Increase consumption of raw vegetables and raw fresh fruits (without sugar). Try to include raw vegetables in every meal. If one’s breakfast is so small that only toast or cereal is consumed, stop eating toast and take fresh fruits or vegetable juices instead. If lunches usually consist of sandwiches, try to substitute it with a raw salad or a vegetable juice. Have a large salad before eating a heavy entree at dinner. This way, we’ll be sure to eat all of the salad instead of being too full to finish it. 

6) Grains form the base of a balanced diet and are important in maintaining the alkaline balance in the body. They are a great source of vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients, including folic acid, fiber, carbohydrates, antioxidants and phytoestrogens. The Department of Food and Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota determined that consumption of whole grains reduces the risk of chronic diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease. By eating grains, we can eat less, but feel full. Grains should comprise about 20 percent of our diet. 

7) Don't forget to hydrate. Drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of good quality water each day. Add liquid minerals to increase the quality of water. 

Following these seven easy steps will allow us to create the proper alkaline balance within our bodies and, with it, improving quality of life. Improvements to health can include greater energy, strength, stamina and resistance to diseases along with improved concentration. The entire body will function more efficiently just like it was meant to do. 

Source: Bodies by Bristol, specializing in nutrition and weight-loss programs. For more information or to arrange for a free 3D body fat scan or discovery session, call or text  609-403-3100 or visit BodiesByBristol.com.