diltuted stomach acid

[Kathy Williams]

Since I have been on the diet I have noticed that Ima not as hungrey as often and have lost wieght. I have started walking regularly and enjoy the outdoors again. The one problem I do have as of lately though is a lack of stomach acid.
It has been hot lately so I have been drinking about four to six glasses of water or tea a day. I have read that tea and water can dilute your stomach acid if it is consumed too much is this the problem? I only drink Bancha, Kombucha and water. I sometimes add a littel lemon tothe Bancha in hte morning though.

The basis of my diet has been just brown rice, the locally grown seasonal vegetables, and for protein lentils, tempeh a little bit of tofu occassioanlly.I do have 3 ounces of fish 2-3 times a week too. I have been keeping salt to a minimal but on hte days when I have been outside alot working in the yard, walking etc I use a littel more to replace sodium losses.
I rarely crave sweets but I do have a little summer squash (from my garden this season) and a little dried fruit sometimes with breakfast.
So waht do you think hte problem is? I have been having cravings for acidic foods constantly sucha s tomatoes, citrus pizza and even steak. I know I am not mineral deficiant I just had a check up at teh doctor and everythign checked out perfect. Am I just getting too yin? What is hte solution?

[Roy Collins]

Hi Kathy. FIrst you can stop the Kombucha. It is too yin. Then cut down a bit on the whole grains, eating slightly more veggies, steamed, blanched and as pressed salad (with small amount of sea salt or ume vinegar). Also cut down on the plain water and continue with teas, vegetable juices, and grain coffee. You don't need the lemon right now but once in a while should be OK.

In general, very yin and vey yang foods produce and acid condition and balkanced foods make more alkaline condition.
Lactic acid is produced in excess during hot weather and from
excess muscle movement in this type of weather. In this case
to remove excess lactic acid you can drink ume plum drink which replaces acids as well as salt lost from body through perspiration. This drink will also aid digestion and enhance appetite. Just use this drink until you feel normalised. Don't overdue it.

The dried fruit should be OK but try not to eat too much yin in the am. Better to have a little, mild miso broth with onion and seaweed. The fish is fine.

In peace, Roy