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“Let food be thy medicine.”- Hippocrates. He was truly a wise man and a leader in healthy living—all the way back in 377 BCE. It is estimated that he lived to celebrate 80-90 years of health when most people died by age 50 in his era. Being intentional about your health truly matters for longevity and enjoying every day of the one beautiful life we get.
The next time you go to the grocery store, think of it as an opportunity to optimize your health and energy levels. What you buy will mostly be the majority of what you and your family will put in their body to fuel body, mind, and soul this week.
Starting your alkaline journey can be overwhelming and confusing. I get it—I was a sugar and acid addict at one point! My goal is to be the friend and guide I wanted back then. I remember going to the store and letting anxiety take over me because all I saw were sugar and acid-packed choices. This is why I created the lists below, and I am always here to support your alkaline journey.
Only Organic
First things first, remember: Only Organic. Now, I know organic is more expensive, but it’s worth every extra penny. If you are on a tight budget, then just buy organic items on Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen.” EWG.org is an amazing website dedicated to helping you discover what is actually in your food and personal care products. I use their handy app all the time!
There are several reasons why it is critical to buy organic, and please take a moment to learn about them by clicking here. In summary, over two-thirds of the non-organic produce you’re eating has pesticide residue (even after being washed and peeled), which is dangerous and harmful to your body. Take a look.
How to shop in a grocery store
Grocery stores also have codes for what is truly organic and not.
Here they are:
Nine is fine: If a sticker begins with the number 9, it means it’s organic.
Eight I hate: If a sticker begins with a number 8, it means that it’s genetically modified.
If the sticker begins with any other number, it was conventionally grown and is neither GMO nor organic. Most likely, it was grown with herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and synthetic fertilizers.
Once you enter the grocery store, if it is a standard box grocery store, shop the perimeter. That’s where the nutritious foods are. Most of the middle aisles are mostly stocked with processed junk.
However, you’ll notice quite a few items in the middle of the store on the list below. That’s because they’re staples—you’re not going to need to buy them all that often once you set up your alkaline pantry. That’s why week to week, you’ll do most of your shopping on the perimeter.
One last thing—Your List, Your Choice.
Like I said above, this is your one wonderful life—I am just here to help you optimize it! You don’t have to buy all of these foods to be alkaline. Pick and choose your favorites; you will see a number of mine in the list below!
The Complete Alkaline Shopping List
Produce
I first listed staples in my alkaline recipes and items that should always be part of your health toolbox—your kitchen.
Staples
- Garlic
- Ginger root
- Fresh herbs
- Spinach
- Romaine
- Avocados
- Broccoli
- Red and yellow bell peppers
- Sweet potatoes
- Spaghetti squash
- Tomatoes
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cucumbers
- Sprouts
- Bananas and other fruit of your choice for smoothies
- Green apples
- Grapefruit
- Lemons
- Limes
Other Alkaline produce choices
-
Swiss chard
- Watercress
- Kale
- Arugula
- Other leafy greens (collards, bok choy, escarole, etc.)
- Asparagus
- Green beans
- Yellow squash
- Zucchini
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Onions
- Fennel
- Beets/beetroot
- Parsnips
- Snap peas, snow peas
- Radishes
- Jalapeño peppers
- Eggplant
- Shallots
Seafood
- Wild-caught Alaskan salmon
- Sardines
- Anchovies
- Trout
- Herring
Dairy Alternatives
- Coconut milk: Native Forest Organic, So Delicious
- Coconut water: Harmless Harvest
- Alkaline ice cream: So Delicious Coconut Milk no sugar added ice cream made with monk fruit extract (avoid labels with carrageenan and cane sugar)
- Almond milk: Califia Farms, Silk, So Delicious
- Here’s a great recipe.
Pantry
- Raw almonds: Bremmer Farms (unpasteurized, non-irradiated)
- Raw cashews, pistachios (in moderation because of the ability to mold)
- Walnuts, pine nuts
- Raw almond butter, coconut butter
- Chia, sesame, pumpkin, and flax seeds
- Vegetable broth (make sure it’s yeast free)
- Lentils
- Quinoa
- Canned beans (adzuki, fava, chickpeas, navy, and white): Eden Organics
- Canned artichoke hearts
- Olives
- Tahini
- Ezekiel Bread: Food for Life Ezekiel 4:9 (available in the freezer section, and they also make tortillas)
- Oatmeal: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Old Fashioned Rolled Oats and Steel Cut Oats – in moderation (Remember, there really is no such thing as “gluten-free.” For example, gluten-free oatmeal is free of the protein gliadin, legally making it gluten-free, but it contains the harmful gluten Avenin)
- Coconut oil (cold pressed)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Cacao nibs
- Raw cacao powder
- Maca powder
- Shredded coconut: Bob’s Red Mill (unsweetened)
- Soy sauce alternative: Bragg Liquid Aminos, and even better, Coconut Aminos
- Raw coconut nectar: Coconut Secret
- Pure food extracts, like vanilla extract: Medicine Flower (raw and concentrated)
- Salt: Redmond Real Salt, Celtic Grey, Himalayan, Black Hawaiian Sea Salt
- Raw nutrition bars: Chia Bar, Vega Protein Bars, Raw Revolution, and Pure Bar
- Apple cider vinegar (in moderation, as there is yeast)
Supplements
- Essential oils: doTERRA, Young Living
- Omega-3 fish oil: Acid-Kicking Omega-3s
- Probiotics (refrigerated)
- Dehydrated greens: Acid-Kicking Daily Greens
- Minerals: Acid-Kicking Minerals
I got the goods—now what?
Having a full fridge of healthy, alkaline ingredients doesn’t mean they will always end up in your family’s bodies. This is why I created a 4 Seasons Recipe Book to equip you with 500+ recipes that I create for my family.
I included smoothies, breakfasts, alkaline juices, lunches, salads, raw soups and hot soups, snacks, noodles and zoodles, stir-fries, alkaline beverages and healing tonics, entrees, and the best desserts ever! All you will ever need—all in one place!
Some food for thought:
“Food can either be a destructive force that leads to epidemic illness and degradation, or it can be a powerful tool that will vastly lower rates of chronic illness, and improve the lives of people everywhere. Get Off Your Acid will help you to make wise choices so that the food you eat can help to propel you toward the health you deserve. Read it, and put it into action. You’ll be reaping the benefits for the rest of your life.” ~Ocean Robbins, CEO, The Food Revolution Network
“We’re able to eat delicious food and be the healthiest versions of ourselves. With obesity rates being what they are, eating clean is a big deal in our house. As parents, it’s important to model healthy eating for our kids and show them what a sensible plate looks like. We feel our best when we’re taking care of ourselves physically, and that’s what Dr. Daryl’s book, Get Off Your Acid, has done for us. We’re able to eat delicious food and be the healthiest versions of ourselves. Thank you, Dr. Daryl!” ~Mario and Courtney Lopez
