by Alkaline diet (also known as the Alkaline Ash Diet) is especially popular among Hollywood celebrities and especially those looking to lose weight fast.
According “Healthstat.gr‘, the diet in question is based on the theory that certain foods, such as meat, wheat, refined sugar and processed foods, cause your body to produce acid, which is bad for you. So, according to the “science” behind this diet, eating certain foods that make your body more alkaline can protect you against these conditions and help you lose weight.
The alkaline diet made headlines when Victoria Beckham tweeted about an alkaline diet cookbook in January 2013.
What you can eat: Most fruits and vegetables, soy and tofu, and some nuts, seeds and legumes are alkalizing foods.
What you can’t eat: Dairy products, eggs, meat, most grains and processed foods such as canned and packaged snacks and ready meals are quite acidic and are not permitted. Most of the books that promote the alkaline diet say that you shouldn’t consume alcohol or caffeine.
Note first that the level of effort includes a high level of difficulty. You will need to cut out many foods that you may be used to.
Restrictions: Many foods are prohibited, as are alcohol and caffeine, but it does not require exercise.
Cooking and shopping: You can get fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. It may take some time to learn how to prepare and cook your meals when using fresh foods.
This diet is also predominantly vegetarian. Works for vegetarians since dairy products are prohibited.
Limit and difficulty – Gluten free: The diet excludes wheat, but to completely avoid gluten you need to check food labels carefully, as gluten is not found only in wheat. In addition to wheat, the diet excludes most other major causes of food allergies, including milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. It is also good for people trying to avoid fat and sugar.
What else you need to know – Cost: Many sites with information about the alkaline diet also sell courses, books, supplements, and alkaline-fortified water, foods, and beverages. You don’t need to buy them to follow the alkaline diet. There are many free alkaline food charts online that list foods you can buy at the grocery store.
Support: Is this a diet you do yourself?
Maybe, but not for the reasons he claims. First, a bit of chemistry: the pH level measures how acidic or alkaline something is. A pH of 0 is completely acidic, while a pH of 14 is completely alkaline. A pH of 7 is neutral. These levels vary throughout your body. Your blood is slightly alkaline, with a pH between 7.35 and 7.45. Your stomach is too acidic, with a pH of 3.5 or less, to break down food. And your urine changes depending on what you eat – so your body keeps your blood levels constant. The alkaline diet claims to help your body maintain its blood pH. In reality, nothing you eat will significantly change your blood pH. Your body works to keep this level constant. But the foods you’re supposed to eat on the alkaline diet are good for you and will promote healthy weight loss: lots of fruits and vegetables and lots of water.
Avoiding sugar, alcohol, and processed foods is also healthy weight loss advice. As for other health claims, there is preliminary evidence that a diet low in acid-producing foods such as animal protein (like meat and cheese) and bread and high in fruits and vegetables may help. prevent kidney stones, keep bones and muscles strong, improve heart health and brain function, reduce back pain and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
But researchers are still unsure about some of these claims. People who believe in the alkaline diet say that although acid-producing foods only change our pH balance briefly, if you keep changing your blood pH over and over again, you can cause long-term acidity.
Is it good for certain situations? Following an alkaline diet means choosing fruits and vegetables instead of higher calorie and higher fat options. You’ll also avoid ready meals, which are often high in sodium. This is great news for heart health, as these steps help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, which are major risk factors for heart disease. Achieving a healthy weight is also important for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and osteoarthritis. Some studies have shown that an alkaline environment can make certain chemotherapy drugs more effective or less toxic.
The focus on fruits and vegetables at the heart of the alkaline diet offers the promise of healthy weight loss. No special device or supplement required. You will have the best success if you enjoy choosing and experimenting with new foods and if you enjoy cooking. But following an alkaline diet will be difficult for many people. Many of the favorite foods allowed in moderation in other programs (such as lean meat, low-fat dairy, bread, and sweets) are prohibited.
Protein is limited to vegetable sources such as beans and tofu. This means you’ll need to make sure you’re getting enough protein and calcium. Eating out can also be a challenge. If you travel a lot for work or have a busy schedule, you may feel overwhelmed with all the food selection and preparation. Finally, many alkaline diets overlook an important factor in weight loss and wellness success: exercise. You should include exercise in any healthy diet you choose.
The American Heart Association and the CDC recommend at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. If you have any medical conditions or are not in good physical condition, talk to your doctor first.
With information: www.healthstat.gr
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