There’s a whole host of acidic foods our bodies are forced to deal with on a daily basis because of the SAD (Standard American Diet). The modern American diet consists of mostly acidic foods that are processed, packaged, and prepared for us. Combined with a sedentary lifestyle and high stress levels, it’s no wonder that the United States ranks a shocking 72nd in world health.
What makes a food acidic?
If a food is high in sugar or yeast, is fermented, contains fungi, or is refined, then it’s acidic. This is the acid equation… More Sugar = More Acid More Minerals = More Alkaline So for example, most fruit is acidic because it is high in sugar. Fruit is high in minerals, though, so low sugar fruits like avocados, tomatoes, lemons, limes, grapefruits, coconuts, and pomegranates are alkaline. Processed foods might be low in sugar in some cases, but they are also low in minerals, so they are acidic. These are foods that make you fatter, sicker, and weaker. With that said, if you’re eating these foods now, that’s okay. This is not about feeling guilty or stopping cold turkey. It’s about replacing the foods that are harming your body with ones that are going to heal your body.
Why is sugar so bad?
When thinking of sugar, think of it in terms of what it does inside of your body: Sugar = acid = glue! Sugar basically makes our blood this thick substance, so that it moves through the body sluggishly, leaving us drained of all energy. It feeds microforms like candida (a yeast), fungus, mold, and cancer in your body. If you want to heal your body, you must starve these cells from the food they love the most and get their energy from – sugar!
Top 15 Acidic Foods to Avoid:
- Artificial sweeteners
- Sugar
- Soft drinks/sodas
- Milk/cheese/yogurt
- Peanut/peanut butter
- Carbonated water
- All meats
- Coffee
- Ice cream
- Margarine (and other trans fats)
- MSG
- Yeast (fermented foods)
- Alcohol
- White bread/white pasta
- Fruit juice
Why These Acidic Foods to Avoid Harm Your Health
When you look at the most common acidic foods to avoid, they all have one thing in common: they overload your body with inflammation-producing acids. Your kidneys, liver, and gut have to work overtime just to buffer the acid, which steals your energy, stresses your hormones, and weakens your immunity. Over time, these acidic foods create low-grade inflammation that leads to cravings, weight gain, digestive issues, and that constant feeling of being tired no matter how much you sleep.
By removing these acidic foods to avoid and replacing them with alkaline, nutrient-rich options, you give your body a chance to detox, repair, and reset. You’ll feel lighter, clearer, and more energized once you stop flooding your system with hidden acids and start fueling it with real, living foods.
Top Questions About Acidic Foods to Avoid (FAQ)
1. What are the most common acidic foods to avoid?
Some of the top acidic foods to avoid include sugar, fried foods, dairy, processed grains, coffee, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners. These foods overwhelm your system with acid and trigger inflammation, fatigue, and cravings.
2. Do acidic foods really cause inflammation?
Yes — many of the acidic foods to avoid break down into acidic waste that your body must neutralize with minerals. When eaten daily, this constant buffering process creates low-grade inflammation, which is linked to weight gain, joint pain, and digestive issues.
3. How can I start removing acidic foods without feeling deprived?
The easiest way is to swap the biggest acidic foods to avoid with alkaline alternatives. For example, replace sugar with coconut sugar or stevia, pasta with quinoa or zucchini noodles, and dairy with almond or coconut milk. Small swaps add up fast.
4. What should I eat more of instead of acidic foods?
Load your plate with leafy greens, healthy fats, fresh vegetables, cold-pressed juices, herbal teas, and alkaline snacks like raw almonds. These options help neutralize the acids produced by the acidic foods to avoid and restore your mineral balance.
Moderation, Not Deprivation
Becoming healthier doesn’t have to be about deprivation and taking away all of your favorite foods!
Transitioning to an alkaline lifestyle is easier than you may think. By changing just a few eating habits you can make a huge difference to your health and your energy!
Focusing on small, simple changes makes healthy eating more manageable and sustainable over the long term.
Now you know the top 15 acidic foods to avoid. Swap out these acidic foods with more alkaline ones and you’ll look better, feel better, and slim down! Eliminating these acidic foods to avoid will help you get off your acid fast.

