How do proteins fit into an alkaline diet?

How do proteins fit into an alkaline diet?

Eiweiße sind ein wichtiger Bestandteil unserer Ernährung und spielen eine bedeutende Rolle für den Körper. Sie sind Baustoffe für den Körper und dienen unter anderem dem Aufbau und Erhalt von Muskeln, dem Hormonhaushalt und der Bildung von Enzymen. Proteine kurbeln den Stoffwechsel und die Fettverbrennung an, und helfen, uns satt zu fühlen. Eiweiße, die aus Aminosäuren bestehen, sind lebenswichtig – deswegen auch der Begriff der „essentiellen“ Aminosäuren.

The alkaline diet is about de-acidifying the body and enabling it to eat a healthy and balanced diet. However, as acids are formed in the body during the processing of proteins, the Alkaline fasting the protein content is often relatively low. You could therefore ask yourself whether you are consuming enough protein with this type of diet.

The most important thing to remember is that during alkaline fasting you only eat for a short period of time - at the Landhotel Altes Zollhaus for 5 to 10 days - completely without animal proteins and with less vegetable proteins.

During this time, even a low-protein diet does not result in a harmful deficiency, as we still consume proteins - albeit perhaps less than usual. Alkaline foods that are rich in protein and are popular during the alkaline fasting period include, for example Nuts, seedscertain vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, and Sprouted or germinated pulses such as sprouted lentils, chickpeas and beans.

The protein-reduced alkaline fasting period gives the body a short break from processing the acids produced during protein digestion, but an alkaline-orientated diet outside of alkaline fasting can certainly contain protein.

Balance protein-rich meals with plenty of vegetables

If you are aware that protein-rich foods tend to form more acids, you can balance this out with alkaline foods in everyday life. For example, if you enjoy eating a high-quality steak from pasture-raised beef, you can choose to eat it with potatoes and vegetables instead of bread, chips or mac and cheese.

It should also be noted that most animal protein sources - i.e. meat, fish, dairy products and eggs - have a higher protein content. PRAL value - i.e. are considered more acidic - than plant sources such as lentils, beans and other pulses. You can therefore decide to focus more on plant-based protein sources and perhaps eat animal sources a little less often, but in particularly high quality.

The PRAL value gives an indication of how acidic or alkaline a food is in the body by comparing the protein and phosphate content of a food with the potassium, magnesium and calcium content of that food. Cereals and pasta, certain nuts and animal products generally have a relatively high PRAL value.

6 alkaline protein sources that you should definitely know about

• Almonds
  - Almonds are one of the few nuts with an alkalising effect and provide vegetable protein and healthy fats.

• Hemp and chia seeds
  - Both types of seeds are rich in protein and contain important omega-3 fatty acids and fibre.

• Quinoa
  - A gluten-free pseudograin with a complete amino acid profile and a slightly alkalising effect.

• Buckwheat
  - It is also a pseudo-cereal that provides minerals such as magnesium as well as protein.

• Tofu & tempeh
  - Soya products with a high protein content; when consumed in moderation they often have a neutral to slightly alkalising effect.

• Seedlings and sprouts
  - Sprouts (e.g. broccoli, alfalfa or mung bean sprouts) are rich in vital substances and are known for their alkalising effect.

A relaxed lifestyle with physical exercise also supports acid-base balancing

The fact that animal proteins often have a more acidic effect on the body than plant proteins is partly due to the fact that they have a higher phosphorus and sulphur content than plant proteins. Athletes in particular, who often not only have a relatively protein-rich diet to build and maintain muscle, but also exert themselves physically, should pay particular attention to balancing their diet with alkaline-rich foods. Because also During heavy physical exertion, acids are formed in the body, such as lactate in the muscles.

Here, too, it is important to balance generous portions of protein with sufficient vegetables, and to Careful preparation of meals to avoid over-acidification of the body and to maintain performance.

This is because hyperacidity in the body has a short-term effect on performance and a long-term effect on health. In the short term, you usually notice tiredness, sluggishness and listlessness. Sometimes you also notice headaches and joint pain or muscle tension.

In the long term, hyperacidity can lead to various health problems, starting with a weakened immune system, skin problems and digestive problems. As hyperacidity affects many bodily functions, it can play a role in almost all clinical pictures.

Even those who eat an alkaline diet should pay attention to a holistically healthy lifestyle, as stress, physical strain or lack of exercise can also lead to an imbalanced acid-base balance. So always pay attention to your overall lifestyle and your mind.

A strict diet that causes mental stress should not be the goal. Rather, we encourage you to balance acids in your body with alkaline-rich foods in a pleasurable, conscious and uncomplicated way - especially vegetables - and to pay attention to moderation and quality when it comes to acidic foods.