Alkalize - Weekly Wellness Challenge

Certain foods can create an acidic environment inside the body, while other foods create an alkaline environment. Now, why does that even deserve to be mentioned? Did you know that something that seems that insignificant can have a major effect on your health? Quite simply - When one's body is acidic (pH < 7), it provides conditions in which disease can thrive. This is because the kidneys can't keep up with filtering out acidic biproducts that are left after certain foods have been digested. On the other hand, when one's body is in an alkaline state (pH > 7), it is much easier for the body to maintain the naturally healthy condition that it was originally intended to experience. The good news is, however, that an alkaline pH balance in the body can easily be maintained by managing our diets.

For this week's Wellness Challenge we are going to eliminate certain acid forming foods from our diets and focus on consuming foods (or drinks) that will help alkalize our bodies. It has been shown that animal-based foods have the most acid forming effect on the body and plant-based foods have the most alkalizing effect. It is important to remember, though, that we are not trying to be fanatical, but rather finding balance and taking one step at a time towards optimal health.

First, try to avoid.

1. Refined sugar (By far the worst)

2. Meat

3. Dairy and eggs

Next, consider some of these, try to keep it fresh and remember that minerals help your body neutralize acid wastes.

1. Apple cider vinegar. 1 tablespoon in a glass of water up to 3 times per day.

2. Drink lots of water.

3. All vegetables are alkalizing. Spinach, kale and seaweed are very good.

4. Most fruit (except blueberries, cranberries and plums) are alkalizing.

5. Nuts and seeds

6. Grains and beans

This will be a nice warm-up for next week's challenge - Detox.