Acidic vs. alkaline—this balance lies at the heart of how yin and yang foods are understood in macrobiotic nutrition. While these categories are complex, one key aspect is how they influence the body’s environment, steering it toward acidity or alkalinity. For optimal health, the blood’s pH should lean slightly alkaline.
To support this balance, it’s wise to center meals around foods that maintain harmony—those that don’t push the body too far into either acidity or alkalinity. Highly acid-forming or alkaline-forming foods can still be on your plate, but they should be eaten sparingly and balanced with care. The following guide can help you navigate which foods shift your body toward acidity and which foster an alkaline state. More: Ho’oponopono: The easiest healing technique
Foods that strongly alkalize the body (Yang)
Seaweed, lemon, celery, dates, grapes, figs, most herbal teas, melon, watermelon, bell peppers, parsley, watercress…
These are nature’s “power cleaners,” perfect for restoring a light and fresh feeling to your body.
Foods that gently push toward alkalinity (Yang)
Potatoes (with skin), leafy greens, cauliflower, kale, Swiss chard, radish, turnip, green herbs, lettuce, radishes, garlic, fresh green legumes, beets, broccoli, cabbage, fresh peas, sweet corn (fresh), strawberries, raspberries, currants, apples, apricots, grapes, pears, pumpkins, grapefruit, ripe bananas, dates, kiwi, nectarines, peaches, pineapple, avocado, fresh figs, carob, almonds, fruit juices, raisins, fresh ginger, green tea, shiitake mushrooms, apple cider vinegar, umeboshi plums, vegetable juices…
These foods offer a delicate balance, making them versatile additions to most meals while supporting your body’s natural pH harmony.
Foods that slightly alkalize the body (Yang)
Brown rice, tofu, tempeh, tamari, soy milk, rice syrup, miso, millet, buckwheat, chestnuts, manna bread (varied, unbaked), olives, olive oil, eggplant, okra, Brussels sprouts, cucumber, tomatoes, radishes, onions, leeks, pickled vegetables (homemade macrobiotic pickles), cherries, tangerines, oranges, fresh coconut, goat milk, honey, mushrooms, sea salt, and onions…
Gentle and grounding, these foods provide sustainable energy while keeping your body’s pH in check. More: Cacao powder ceremony: Benefits, origins and more
Neutral foods
Cream, cow’s milk, plain yogurt, raw whey, unsalted butter, oils (except olive oil)…
These foods don’t tip the scale too much in either direction, but moderation is key to avoid imbalance.
Foods that slightly acidify the body (Yin)
Eggs, red beans, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, barley, barley malt, butter, spelled (a type of wheat), spinach…
These mildly acidic options can complement alkaline foods to create balanced meals.
More: Recipes with spinach that will make you insatiable
Foods that push toward acidity (Yin)
Whole grains and pasta made from them, whole-grain bread, bran, dried legumes (except soy), nuts (except almonds), basmati rice, rice milk, rye, oats, wheat bread with organic sprouts, peeled potatoes, cheese, fish, homogenized milk, homogenized goat milk, ketchup, organic unsulfured molasses, blueberries, plums, maple syrup (unprocessed), mustard, salted buttered popcorn, prunes, and tea…
While these are more acid-forming, they can be enjoyed in smaller amounts to bring depth and richness to your diet.
Foods that make the body very acidic (Yin)
White bread, pastries, and cakes made from white flour, refined grains like white or polished rice, peanuts, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, sodas, sweetened fruit juices, artificial sweeteners, beef, lamb, chicken, fish, cranberries, prunes, unrefined wheat cream, egg custard with white sugar, sweetened yogurt, ice cream, jams, jellies, processed maple syrup, sulfur-treated molasses, commercial pickles, seafood, sugar, refined or iodized salt, black tea, walnuts, and wine vinegar. More: How to defrost a chicken fast?
Acidic vs. alkaline: How diet shapes your body’s balance
This list might seem strange at first. For example, lemon tastes very acidic, but it makes the body more alkaline (yang).
When you digest lemon, it breaks down into alkaline components and strongly increases the body’s alkalinity. This is why lemon is a key ingredient in the popular Neera detox diet. Long-distance runners and marathoners often use lemon to fight fatigue because it helps remove lactic acid, which builds up during intense exercise.
Watermelon also creates an alkaline effect in the body. Unsurprisingly, folk medicine considers lemon and watermelon great for detoxing. Both of them cleanse the body and neutralize excess acidity, which can cause issues like kidney stones. That’s why people say watermelon “cleans the kidneys.”
On the other hand, foods like white bread, pastries, and meat trigger a strong acidic reaction during digestion. Many of these acidic foods dominate modern diets. Because of this, a lot of people have overly acidic bodies, which can lead to health problems and various disorders. More: 10 superfoods for over 40
Acidic vs. alkaline: Why knowing the balance matters?
Understanding the balance between acidic and alkaline foods can greatly influence your health and well-being. Our bodies thrive when slightly alkaline, and diet plays a major role in maintaining this balance. Knowing which foods promote alkalinity and which lean toward acidity allows you to make better choices that support overall harmony in your system.
Alkaline foods, such as leafy greens, lemons, and watermelon, help neutralize excess acidity in the body. These foods not only cleanse but also provide sustainable energy and support natural detoxification. On the other hand, acidic foods like white bread, refined sugar, and processed meats, when consumed in large quantities, can disrupt this balance. Over time, an overly acidic environment may contribute to fatigue, inflammation, and other health challenges.
By being mindful of the foods you consume, you can create meals that promote balance rather than tipping too far toward either extreme. This doesn’t mean avoiding acidic foods entirely; instead, it’s about moderation and pairing them with alkaline options. For example, combining vegetables with grains or adding lemon to your water can help counterbalance the acidic effects of other foods.
This knowledge empowers you to build a diet that supports vitality, reduces the risk of imbalance, and fosters long-term health. Prioritizing balance between acidic and alkaline foods is a small but impactful step toward living well.
