The daily diet of the psoriasis and arthritic psoriasis patients should consist of 80 percent alkaline forming foods and 20 percent acid forming foods.
Modern nutritionists agree that fruits are the primary cleansers of the body, while vegetables are considered to be the builders.
All foods are either alkaline forming, acid forming or neutral. The alkaline formers are the lighter, watery type foods that are more easily digested, such as fruits and vegetables. The acid forming foods are the heavier predominantly protein foods, such as meats and grains, which require greater breakdown for proper digestion and absorption. The neutrals are the dairy products such as milks, yoghurt and kefir.
Alkaline forming foods are the more watery types of fruits and vegetables and their juices. Because these foods are broken down more easily by the body, they are more readily digested.
Amazing fact and its source:
Although most fruits are alkaline forming within the body, there are some exception:
- Cranberries
- Currants
- Prunes and plums
- Blueberries.
It is worth noting however that the nutritional benefits of these four extraordinary fruits far outweigh the value we place on whether they are acid forming or alkaline forming.
Fruits are divided into three categories: acid, sub acid and sweet. To avoid confusion however, it is worth remembering that these fruits are not acid forming, in fact most acid fruits are alkaline reacting in the body.
Alkaline formers
These should make up 80% of our psoriasis diet (and habits)
- Granular lecithin
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice in a cup of warm water (this maintains a healthy alkalinity as well as aids in internal cleansing)
- Fruit juices (be wary of pre-packaged fruit juices that are reconstituted or sweetened)
- Outdoor exercise and physical activity
- Daily pooping
- Positive emotions
Acid formers
These should make up 20% of our psoriasis diet (and habits). The following foods and habits tend to increase acidity in the body and should be avoided as much as possible by psoriatics:
- Too many acid forming foods at the same meal, such as starches with sweets, proteins and meats, meats or fats with sugars, too many starchy foods
- Cane sugar and any product made with cane sugar
- Most types of vinegar with the exception of cider vinegar
- Processed foods that contain preservatives, artificial flavourings, colourings and additives
- Alcohol, smoking and drugs
- Constipation
- Inadequate physical activity
- Negative emotions
Nightshades
While we are on topic about food choices for a better psoriasis experience, it is worth reminding you to avoid the nightshade foods. The nightshades represent a family of plants that should be totally avoided regardless of their acid-alkaline reaction. The nightshades are:
- Tomatoes
- Tobacco
- Eggplant
- White potatoes
- Capsicum and Peppers
Nightshades contain irritants to many psoriasis patients, in particular lectins. Nightshades are high in lectins, a substance produced in all plants as a natural pesticide. Lectins ‘stick’ to the small intestine lining and increase the likelihood and symptoms of leaky gut. Leaky gut occurs when undigested carbohydrates or lectins create permeability and gaps in the lining of the small intestine, allowing undigested food particles to escape into the blood stream.
Relate this to the psoriasis experience:
Based on the importance of alkaline formers in the psoriasis patient’s diet, you can begin to create some of your own personal and enduring daily habits to ease your psoriasis. This would involve a swing towards 80% alkaline forming foods, and building alkalinising thoughts, exercise and elimination habits into each day. Keep a psoriasis journal of your experiences with the 80/20 diet and lifestyle. There have been occasions when I have lost track of the 80/20 rule and lesions have gradually resurfaced without realising why. With each change we make that leads us back to the 80/20 diet and activities, the psoriasis lesions slowly subside again.
