Can you lose weight on an acid alkaline diet? Many people think so. In this article, I want to discuss some of the theories about the connection between the alkaline diet and weight loss.
Some alkaline diet authorities propose that the body stores fat in order to defend itself against harmful acids. Many experts say that virtually everyone who eats a Standard American diet suffers from low-grade metabolic acidosis. And according to Dr. Robert O. Young and his adherents, the body often increases its fat reserves to keep the excess acid from harming delicate tissues and organs. Once the body’s pH is restored to a healthy balance, this theory suggests, the body will naturally shed the extra fat. This theory has not gained much traction among conventional doctors, but Dr. Young’s books certainly feature some remarkable success stories from men and women who lost weight on an alkaline diet.
However, this is not the only reason that following an acid alkaline diet is likely to lead to weight loss. Another reason is that the alkaline diet tends to be less calorie dense than the standard American diet. People gain weight when they consume more calories than they expend through exercise and basic metabolic activities like digestion and respiration. Accordingly, there are three basic ways to lose weight: eat less, exercise more, or a combination of both. Unfortunately, slashing your portion sizes can leave you feeling hungry and dissatisfied. Is there a way out? The answer is yes. Instead of reducing the quantity of food that you consume, focus on cutting calories per ounce. Coincidentally, acidifying foods are often high in calories. Therefore, an acid alkaline diet is likely to lead to a reduction in your total caloric intake.
Another consideration is that many junk foods are conducive to compulsive eating. People joke about not being able to stop eating potato chips, but some experts say that many of us are truly addicted to these foods. Candies, chips, cookies and fast food are hard to resist because they’re full of fat, sugar, and artificial food additives. On the other hand, have you ever polished off a salad even though you were already full? No, me neither. By minimizing junk foods in the diet, we can make it less likely that we will eat when we aren’t hungry.
Don’t get me wrong — you’ll still be able to eat plenty of delicious foods on the acid alkaline diet. However, because these foods are natural, they aren’t as addictive as processed foods that are full of artificial flavor-enhancers. It’s just one more reason why the acid alkaline diet is conducive to weight loss.
To claim a free acid alkaline food chart, visit my Alkaline Diet Encyclopedia.