Is Sauerbraten (with Gravy) Acidic or Alkaline?
Sauerbraten (with gravy) (prepared) is acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion.
Classification
Sauerbraten with gravy comes in at +9.4, which makes it clearly acid-forming. The long-braised beef concentrates protein and phosphorus, while the gravy with raisins and gingerbread contributes little potassium. The sour marinade plays no role here. Red cabbage and potato dumplings, the classic sides, bring potassium and offset part of it.
In the Meals & Fast Food category, sauerbraten (with gravy) (prepared) ranks #112 of 118, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Wiener schnitzel (veal) (+8.9), Double cheeseburger (McDonald´s) (+8.9), Meatball (German style) (+8.4). More acid-forming are Tacos (beef) (+9.6), Chicken wings (fast food) (+9.6), Pizza Quattro Formaggi (+9.7).
Acidic or alkaline: PRAL, not pH
On this site, acidic and alkaline refer to the PRAL (potential renal acid load). It estimates what a food leaves behind once it has been digested: a positive value is acid-forming, a negative value is alkalizing. That is different from the pH of the food itself: a lemon tastes sour, yet its PRAL is −4.0, so it is alkalizing. Your diet does not change your blood pH. It does change how much acid your kidneys have to deal with.
What balances sauerbraten (with gravy)
A meal (300 g) of sauerbraten (with gravy) adds +28.2 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sauerbraten (with gravy) acidic?
It depends on what you mean by acidic. The pH describes the food itself, for example how sour it tastes. The PRAL describes what it leaves behind after digestion: Sauerbraten (with gravy) (prepared) has a PRAL of +9.4 per 100 g, so it counts as acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
How much kale offsets a meal (300 g) of sauerbraten (with gravy)?
A meal (300 g) of sauerbraten (with gravy) adds +28.2 to your daily balance. Kale (fresh) has −11.7 per 100 g, so about 240 g of kale offset this serving.
Do I have to avoid sauerbraten (with gravy) on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Sauerbraten (with gravy) is acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Sauerbraten (with Gravy) logged, balance checked.
Basentracker adds up every meal automatically and shows whether your day is in the alkaline range. The same values as on this page, all 977 foods, photo scan, recipes.
Free for Android · iPhone coming soon
Compare all Meals & Fast Food: Meals & Fast Food table. Common questions are answered in Acidic or Alkaline?, and the PRAL calculator adds up a whole meal.
Source: Basentracker food database (PRAL according to Remer & Manz, calculated from protein, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium per 100 g). This information does not replace medical advice.