18 Alkaline Recipes - Smoothies, Veggie Bowls and Tonics (2024)

There are many websites touting claims that a diet rich in alkaline foods can all but eliminate our chances for cancer. I wanted to find out; is this true? What is alkaline, and what alkaline recipes can help (or harm) me? Let’s find out!

What is alkaline?

The idea behind this popular diet trend is that if you eat less acidic foods, then you can change your body’s pH levels. This change then leads to a decreased chance of getting many types of cancers. Sounds great, right?! Well… unfortunately it’s not that simple. See, food really doesn’t actually change the pH level of blood in a healthy body, whose kidney as well as lungs are functioning as they should.

Then why do some people following this diet feel better?? That’s a great question, and an easy one to answer. Most of the foods that are recommended in an alkaline diet are fruits and vegetables… so once you start eating more plants, you probably gain more energy, sleep better, maybe lose weight, have better skin, and so on. I’m all for eating more plants (have you met me?), yet I’m also for a balanced diet. Focusing on a limited number of foods isn’t the healthiest (or most manageable) approach to a healthy body. So look at these alkaline recipes as a great way to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your meal times, not a new strict diet to adhere to until you fall off the bandwagon again.

A note for cancer fighters

One reason alkaline foods are so trendy, is the cancer fighting claim. Yes alkaline foods often have cancer fighting properties, and it’s not really because they’re alkaline. It’s because they are nutrient dense foods loaded with vitamins + minerals to help the body fight as well as heal. So definitely consult with your physician about adding these nutritious foods to your diet, yet make sure they are part of a balanced diet, and not the only foods you’re eating.

Alkaline foods

Acidic foods include meat, poultry, dairy, fish, eggs, and grains, as well as alcohol. Basic foods include starches, sugars, and also naturally occurring fats. Alkaline foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Here are the most alkaline plants:

While many of these foods make sense, I did a double take at citrus fruits. I’ve always been told that citrus is acidic! And… that’s true. Yet they also have a low potential renal acid load, which is a fancy way of saying the kidney doesn’t have to work as hard to process that food. Alkaline foods are known to have a low PRAL.

Now, let’s talk about how to incorporate these plants into some delicious alkaline recipes.

Alkaline recipes

If the foods on the list above aren’t part of your current eating habits, or you’re looking for a bit of help in the bone health department, then I’ve got some great recipes for you to try:

Avocado-licious

• Avocado Smoothie
• Chocolate Smoothie Bowl
• Avocado Crema

Almond forward

• Almond Butter Smoothie
• Tamari Almonds
• Almond Butter Zoodles

Banana loaded

• Chocolate Banana Smoothie
• Banana Oatmeal Smoothie
• Banana ‘Nice’ Cream

Root vegetable party

• Vegan Taco Salad
• Tacos de Papas
• Cherry Beet Smoothie

Watermelon-y deliciousness

• Watermelon Smoothie
• Summer Melon Smoothie
• Watermelon Popsicles

Cucumber fresh

• Alkaline Smoothie
• Fruit and Veggie Smoothie
• Smoothie for Bloating
• Digestion Boost Smoothie

The recipe you’ll find below for smoothie cubes is another great one, because it combines multiple alkaline veggies!

What about alkaline water?

A study done in Japan showed that daily intake of alkaline electrolyzed water improved overall health and exercise capacity in healthy participants. While many scientific studies were inconclusive on the positive effects of drinking alkaline water, one study showed the potential for alkaline water to help with acid reflux symptoms.

Alkaline smoothie cube recipe

Many people have experienced health benefits by increasing the amount of alkaline foods as well as water in their diets. While scientific research shows that food doesn’t do a whole lot to change the pH levels in the blood streams of healthy people, that research also shows that alkaline foods are often missing in a balanced diet. So increasing intake can lead to a happy + healthy body.

This recipe combines several alkaline veggies with alkaline water. Blend it all together, then pour into a freezer tray. Once frozen, toss these cubes into a freeze bag until ready to use.

If you’re ready to blend up these cubes, then swap in 4 cubes as the leafy green part of your next smoothie. While it might make that smoothie a little ‘healthier’ tasting, it also adds in some great nutrient-dense foods.