A healthy body and mind is a dream of all.
The key to that lifestyle is dieting, and there are numerous diet plans, some good and some bad.
And if searched keenly enough, you may stumble upon vegan and vegetarian diets.
While vegan and vegetarian are commonly used terms and are often used interchangeably, they aren't the same.
While a vegetarian can consume all plant-based and animal by-products, a vegan only consumes plant-based food.
And now, veganism and plant-based diets have dramatically gained popularity.
However, these two aren't the only dietary plans.
Once you dive deeper into the world of veganism, you will find a variety of factions of veganism, one of them being alkaline vegan.
So, what is this alkaline vegan? What is its purpose?
And what foods are permitted and which are not?
Read down further to answer all the questions and learn more about the alkaline vegan diet.
What Is the Alkaline Vegan Diet
An alkaline vegan diet concentrates on eating foods that create an alkaline environment in the body.
It is based on the theory that the food's pH level changes the body to either acidic or alkaline.
The belief is that eating many acidic foods will harm your body, but a study shows that eating a mostly alkaline vegan diet allows your body cells to function optimally.
Furthermore, the body requires a tightly controlled pH level of about 7.4 to perform its necessary functions, such as the cells receiving the oxygen they need and nutrients being delivered efficiently throughout the system.
An acidic pH level (anything lower than 7.0) can lead to a host of health problems, such as cells will not receive the oxygen they need, the elimination of toxins from the system not being conducted as efficiently, and/or causing obesity.
Alkaline Vegan vs. Vegan Diet
Although alkaline vegan has 'vegan,' it's quite different from veganism. An Alkaline vegan eats natural plant-based foods and uses only herbs for healing and wellness. Meanwhile, a vegan does not consume any animal and animal by-products as food. Take a brief look at the following chart for a better understanding.
|
|
Vegan |
Alkaline Vegan |
|
Animal Flesh |
No meat |
No meat |
|
Animal By-products |
No milk or eggs |
No milk or eggs |
|
Sweeteners |
Can use sugar and its alternatives |
Can not use sugar or its alternatives |
|
Acidic Plants- Processed Foods |
Can consume |
Limits the acidic consumption |
|
Hybrid Fruits and Vegetables |
Can consume |
Can not consume |
|
GMO foods |
May consume the GMO foods |
Can not consume the GMO foods |
|
Packed Snacks and Foods |
Can consume |
Can not consume |
|
Processed White Food |
Can consume |
Can not consume |
|
Water |
Can drink all kinds of water |
Drink only water with a high pH level, such as natural spring water |
|
Microwave |
Can use a microwave |
Will not use a microwave |
109 Foods Can Eat on an Alkaline Vegan Diet
An alkaline diet promotes an increased intake of vegetables and fruits, discouraging the consumption of processed foods. Therefore, an alkaline vegan uses fruits and vegetables that are highly alkalizing and will help put them on the right track in obtaining that perfect pH balance of 7.4.
Also, note that raw foods are generally more alkaline-forming than cooked foods. Moreover, the following list of foods has an alkalizing effect on the body after consumption, contrary to their pH level.
Fruits to Eat on an Alkaline Vegan Diet
The following list of fruits is according to their alkalizing property.
Highly Alkalizing
- Blackberries
- Cantaloupe melons
- Dried figs
- Dried dates
- Grapes
- Honeydew melon
- Kiwi fruit
- Mango
- Papaya
- Pears
- Pineapples
- Raisins
- Tangerines
- Watermelon
Have the aforementioned fruits as often as possible.
Moderately Alkalizing
- Apples
- Apricots
- Avocados
- Ripe bananas
- Bell peppers
- Blackberries
- Blackcurrants
- Gooseberries
- Grapefruit
- Guava
- Oranges
These fruits should cover at least 60% - 70% of the diet.
Low Alkalizing
- Unripe bananas
- Cherries
- Coconut
- Raspberries
- Tomatoes
Consume them in moderate quantities, or use them to accent your meals.
Neutral
- Blueberries
- Rhubarb
Limit the above-mentioned fruits.
Vegetables to Eat on an Alkaline Vegan Diet
The following list of vegetables is according to their alkalizing property.
Highly Alkalizing
- Alfalfa grass
- Alfalfa sprouts
- Asparagus
- Barley grass
- Collard greens
- Dandelions
- Endives
- Sorrel
- Watercress
- Wheatgrass
Have the aforementioned vegetables as often as possible.
Moderately Alkalizing
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Butternut squash
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Chard
- Sweetcorn
- Green beans
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Parsnips
- Pumpkins
- Red radish
- Spinach
- String beans
- Sweet potatoes
- Turnips
- Zucchini/Courgette
These fruits should cover at least 70% of the diet.
Low Alkalizing
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Brussel sprouts
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant/Aubergine
- Green cabbage
- Leeks
- Okra
- Onions
- Peas
- Cabbage
- White radish
Consume them in moderate quantities, or use them to accent your meals.
Neutral
- Globe artichokes
- Horseradish
- Lentils
- Lima beans
Limit the above-mentioned vegetables.
Beverages to Drink on an Alkaline Vegan Diet
- Fresh fruit juice
- Vegetable juice
- Ginger tea
- Ginseng tea
- Green tea
- Herbal teas
- Mineral water
Besides the aforementioned food, other miscellaneous food items can help make the alkaline vegan diet more pH based.
Spices and Herbs
- Cayenne
- Chilies
- Pepper
- Chives
- Cinnamon
- Curry
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Mixed herbs
- Miso
- Mustard
- Tamari
Seeds and Nuts
- Almonds
- Brazil nuts
- Chestnuts
- Flaxseeds
- Macadamia
- Pumpkin seeds
- Squash seeds
- Sesame seeds
Oil
- Flaxseed
- Cod liver
- Olive
- Canola
- Avocado
34 Foods to Avoid on an Alkaline Vegan Diet
Some food items labeled as "healthy" can simply be too acidic for the body. And everyone who cares about their health and leads a healthy diet and lifestyle, beware of the most acidic foods since the whole purpose of the alkaline vegan diet is to lower the acid level in the body. Especially those wanting to adopt the alkaline vegan diet.
Animal Flesh/ Their By-Products
The following food items must be taken out of a person's diet by default when on an alkaline vegan diet.
- Deli meats
- Farmed fish
- Pork
- Sardines
- Tuna
- Veal
- Poultry
- Red meat
- Milk
- Cheese (specifically, Parmesan cheese, reduced-fat cheddar, and hard cheeses)
- Yogurt
- Ice cream
- Eggs
- Honey
Fruits and Vegetables to Avoid
The following fruits and vegetables have low pH levels, and anyone on an alkaline vegan diet should limit their consumption or use with extreme caution.
- Prunes
- Plums
- Cranberries
- Corn
- Olives
Beverages and Other Liquids
The following drinks are fine to consume under extreme limitations, if not none.
- Alcohol
- Cocoa
- Coffee
- Fruit juices (sweetened)
- Tea (black)
Sweeteners to Avoid
- Sugar (using in limitation is fine)
- Sugar alternative
- Syrup
- Chocolates
Miscellaneous Food Items to Avoid
- Miso
- Mushroom
- Pickled vegetable
- Vinegar
- Yeast
- Every processed food and packed snacks
Pros and Cons of an Alkaline Vegan Diet
While it's generally accepted in the health and food industry that veganism is healthy and more beneficial than other diet plans. These choices still have some drawbacks. Brief through the following pros and cons for more information and understanding.
Pros
- Protects bone density: Bone structure requires an intake of proper minerals, and an alkaline vegan diet results in better protection from decreased bone strength.
- Protects muscle mass: As the person ages, there is a loss of muscle mass, and an alkaline vegan diet reduces the acid load, resulting in the preservation of muscle mass in older men and women.
- It ensures the minerals are balanced in the food: An alkaline vegan diet ensures the balance of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. It also helps the absorption of vitamin D and improves the production of growth hormones, further protecting the bones.
- Eases low back pain: An alkaline vegan diet can ease chronic low back pain.
- Mitigate chronic diseases: Increased fruits and vegetables in an alkaline diet would improve the K/Na (potassium to sodium) ratio, which may help mitigate chronic diseases such as hypertension and strokes.
- Increases the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents: With an alkaline shift in pH due to an alteration in electric charges, it releases the basic components of proteins; thus, an alkaline vegan diet influences the chemotherapeutic agents that require a higher pH for these to work appropriately.
Cons
- Proponents of the alkaline vegan diet advise limiting the vital sources of protein and nutrition: meat, dairy, and eggs.
- Too much alkaline in the human body can cause counter effects for the benefits, such as alkalosis.
Can the Alkaline Vegan Diet Help With Weight Loss
An alkaline vegan diet may improve health, though not in the way that its supporters claim. But reducing a person's consumption of fatty and processed meats and encouraging people to eat more fruits and vegetables offer several health benefits.
However, weight loss depends on consuming fewer calories than one can burn, and diets that are lower in fat and calories may promote weight loss. And since alkaline vegan diets are purely plant-based, it balances mineral intake and tends to be low in calories, promoting weight loss.
Final Words
The key difference between Vegan and Alkaline vegan is that the vegan diet is free from all animal and animal by-products. In contrast, an alkaline vegan diet emphasizes consuming fruits and vegetables.
Also, if the goal is to lose weight, remember that losing weight isn't necessarily the same as being one's healthiest self, and there are many other ways to pursue health. And besides dieting, exercise, sleep, and other lifestyle factors also play a major role in overall health.
And of course, the food list above is not an exclusive list of all the beneficial alkaline foods to add to the diet. So, do some research on the food items before consuming them. Also, make sure to consult your healthcare provider before starting with any form of diet plan.