I was on business last week and got glutened. We were eating at a steak house and, even though the restaurant had a gluten free menu, the side of mushrooms had wheat flour in it. Needless to say, it’s three days later and my GI system is still a mess. As I’m sure is true for many of you, when coming into contact with gluten my entire GI tract from throat through intestines gets highly acidic and inflamed. Keeping true to my food as medicine philosophy, I am putting a heavy emphasis on eating mostly alkaline-forming foods until my system ”cools down,” literally. Below is a list of alkaline forming foods to help those of you trying to counteract an acidic system.
Most of us could stand to eat more alkaline-forming foods anyway. The Western diet is highly acidic. That’s why so many have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and pay millions each year for anti-acid medications. Whatever the cause of your acidity, why rely on prescription and over-the-counter anti-acid medicines (which only mask the symptoms and have side effects) when you can reverse and prevent it with natural foods?
Acid-Forming Foods
While you don’t have to eliminate these foods completely, it is recommended to limit them when acid flare ups occur.
Meats, breads and flours, butter, cheeses, eggs, alcohol, coffee, black tea, sodas, refined sugars and the sweets that contain them, and preserved and canned fruits and vegetables. There are some grains and legumes and nuts that are acid-forming as well, including: roasted cashews and peanuts, walnuts, rice, refined grains and legumes.
Alkali-Forming Foods
The list of alkalizing foods is long and can be found here. Since it’s summer and eating locally and seasonally is so easy, here is a list of alkalizing foods that are in season now and over the next couple of months, plus other highly alkalizing foods that are recommended. Click on the hyperlinks for recipes containing these foods.
Avocado, berries, carrots, cauliflower, celery, collard greens, eggplant, kale, lettuces, radish, spinach, tomatoes, apricots, black currants, cantaloupe, kiwi, lemons/lemon juice, limes/lime juice, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapple, raisins, watermelon, almonds, flax, hemp, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, green and herbal teas, sea vegetables, all fresh herbs, apple cider vinegar, and coconut and olive oils. Alkalizing spices include: garlic; chili peppers; cinnamon; curry; and sea salt.
Some tips about eating these foods to counteract acidity:
- Eat at least one serving, if not more, of these foods at each meal
- Try to eat as much green, leafy vegetables as possible
- Use fresh herbs to add flavor to your meals
- Think of smart ways to add these foods to your meals: use citrus, apple cider vinegar and olive oil in home made salad dressings; sprinkle raisins and seeds on your salads
- Make iced tea by steeping green and herbal teas
- Grill fruit for dessert. Peaches, pineapple and watermelon are excellent
- Use guacamole as a dip, a sandwich spread or keep it chunkier and make it a topping for grilled fish. The avocado, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice and garlic together are highly alkalizing
- Replace almond milk (home made is better) for regular milk
This entry was posted in Farmer's Market Recipes, Gluten Free Recipes, Specific Carbohydrate Diet and tagged acid alkaline foods, acid reflux, acid-forming foods, alkali-forming foods, food as medicine, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Gluten, glutened. Bookmark the permalink.← Honey Almond Biscuits and Blueberry CreamFarmer’s Market Recipe: Kale Salad with Lemon Tahini Date Dressing →
5 Responses to Have You Been Glutened? Eat Alkaline Foods to Fight Acidity
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Thanks, Rachel. This is very informative!
“There are some grains and legumes and nuts that are acid-forming as well, including: roasted cashews and peanuts, walnuts, rice, refined grains and legumes.” This surprised me!
Ilise
Glad you like it, Ilise. Generally, plant-based foods are alkaline vs. acidic, but there are exceptions. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t eat these foods; we should just limit during periods of high inflammation.
such a good post, didn’t know about walnuts. I’ve been glutened- love the terminology.
Thanks, Lauren. Sometimes the best stuff comes from personal experiences. Yeah, generally, plant-based foods are alkaline vs. acidic, but there are exceptions in every category. “Being glutened” is definitely a phrase used by us celiacs
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