When
something becomes popular, it invites criticism from other sources. The
recently popular pH miracle diet is no different. As the program has gained
followers, it has gained just as much criticism from different individuals.
The main
criticism of the diet is that it encourages people to become vegetarians and
vegans. Critics say that this diet, particularly with its omission of dairy
products (a vegetarian protein source), is dangerously low in protein. However,
this criticism comes from the common misconception that humans need massive
amounts of protein. The recent popularity of low-carb diets (which are really
just high-protein diets) has re-cemented this myth in the mind of many people.
Health has become equivalent with eating red meat and dairy.
However,
there are many sources of natural and healthy proteins that don’t have the
harmful acidic effects of red meat and dairy products. The truth is, most
people get too much protein and not too little. Women require about 45 grams of
protein per day, and men need 55 grams. Once single cup of tofu (which is
acceptable on the pH miracle diet) contains 20 grams of protein. Beans contain
at least 8 grams of protein per half cup. So it is really quite easy to get
enough protein on a vegetarian diet.
Another
criticism related to this issue is calcium. Many people equate drinking milk
with strong bones. However, American women consume an average of two pounds of
milk per day and yet 30 million of them develop osteoporosis. If drinking milk
helped make bones stronger, then the opposite would be true. A study conducted
by Cornell-trained nutritionist Amy Joy Lanou showed that there was no specific
link between dairy products and bone health in children and young adults. There
are plenty of sources of calcium available in the alkalizing food categories
that will provide protection against osteoporosis.
Many
critics also claim that the emphasis on vegetables and fresh foods is the real
reason behind the success that people receive from the diet. The pH miracle
diet suggests eating almost 70 percent vegetables and acceptable fruits. At
this level, whether you are eating alkalizing foods or not, anyone will have an
improvement in health. Critics disregard the importance of the pH balance of the
diet.
However,
there have been many people who have experienced great results after
eliminating wheat, an acidic food. Wheat is not a food that one normally
associates with ill health, however, eliminating wheat has been a godsend to
many people who have suffered the symptoms of over-acidified diets. The amount
of alkalizing vegetables in the diet will definitely do anybody good, whether
or not they take the rest of the diet to heart. By eating from the list of
alkaline foods, you will be improving your health no matter how strict you are
on the diet.
This leads
to another popular criticism of the book. Many people claim that the pH miracle
diet program is too strict for daily life. The elimination of common foods like
animal protein, milk and wheat seems overwhelming for people. They cannot
fathom going through a whole day without eating something from one of these
foods groups. The idea of sticking to a diet that is primarily plant based
seems too rigid and strict. However, many people who use the pH miracle diet
have seen beneficial results without being 100% strict with the rules of the
diet.
Like with
many other diets, the pH miracle diet outlines steps toward better health. The
emphasis here is on steps. It is unreasonable to expect anyone to do a complete
180-degree change in his or her eating habits overnight. Taking a slower
approach to changing your diet will create longer and more successful results.
If the diet is followed word for word, it is difficult at first because people
are so used to eating a certain way. With time and practice though, you can
move toward better health and a more pH balanced diet.
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