Alkaline Eating: What It Really Means and How to Apply It
One of the trending topics in wellness these days is alkaline eating, or the alkaline diet. But what does it really mean? What are alkaline vs. acidic foods, and how can understanding them help you make better food choices? As a nutrition and wellbeing coach, I want to break it down clearly and share simple tips you can apply in everyday life.
Here we go!
Acid vs. Alkaline – What’s the Deal?
Our blood pH is tightly regulated by the body and doesn’t change significantly with what we eat - that part is true and essential for survival. However, foods do influence what’s called the “potential renal acid load (PRAL)”, meaning how acidic or alkaline the byproducts of digestion are when processed by the kidneys.
Some foods are considered acid-forming (they leave acidic byproducts after digestion), while others are alkaline-forming (leaving alkaline minerals behind). This doesn’t mean “acidic foods are bad” or “alkaline foods cure disease”, but the balance of these foods can affect things like bone health, kidney function, and overall wellbeing in the long term.
Acid-forming foods include: meat, fish, eggs, cheese, processed foods, sugar, and refined grains.
Alkaline-forming foods include: vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and certain grains like quinoa and buckwheat.
The body thrives when there’s a healthy mix, but most modern diets lean too heavily on acid-forming foods and too little on vegetables and fruits.
Why It Matters for Health
Shifting the balance toward more alkaline-forming foods isn’t about changing your blood pH, it’s about supporting your body’s systems. Research suggests that diets rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds are linked to:
Better bone health: Vegetables and fruits provide minerals like potassium and magnesium that may help reduce calcium loss.
Kidney support: Lower acid load may reduce risk of kidney stones and support long-term kidney function.
Healthy metabolism & digestion: More fiber, micronutrients, and hydration from plant foods support energy, gut health, and circulation.
Overall wellbeing: Plant-forward diets improve cardiovascular health, mood, and vitality.
Practical Everyday Tips
You don’t need to follow strict ratios or eliminate foods. Instead, think “more plants, less processed.”
Start your day with water + lemon for hydration (lemon tastes acidic but leaves alkaline minerals after digestion).
Fill half your plate with vegetables at each meal.
If you eat animal protein, double up your vegetables alongside it.
Snack on fruits, nuts, and seeds instead of processed snacks.
Stay hydrated with water or mineral water, both support balance.
Remember: meat, dairy, and even coffee can still be part of a healthy diet. The goal isn’t perfection but balance - aiming for roughly 70–80% alkaline-forming foods and 20–30% acid-forming foods is a practical way to feel lighter, more energized, and support long-term wellbeing.
Alkaline eating isn’t about strict rules or “good vs. bad” foods; it’s about adding more vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds into your daily meals to support balance, energy, and health.
I hope you enjoyed the read and will start applying some of it to your daily nutrition going forward.
Got a question, or need support on your nutrition & wellbeing journey? Feel free to email me at coaching@zeevibe.com.
Let’s chat and explore how we can work together toward the healthiest version of you.
With love,
Zeynep