Is Scampi Acidic or Alkaline?
Scampi (raw) is acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion.
Classification
Raw scampi reach +9.7 because the firm meat contains a lot of protein and phosphorus with little potassium, as with most crustaceans. At 93 kcal per 100 g, they're lean. An 80 g appetizer in garlic oil brings just under +8, and a large leafy salad with lemon on the side offsets some of that.
In the Fish & Seafood category, scampi (raw) ranks #38 of 56, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Herring (+9.5), Pike (+9.4), Crab (+9.4). More acid-forming are Lobster (+9.8), Trout (+10.1), Lobster (+10.4).
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 scampi
A fillet (125 g) of scampi adds +12.1 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is scampi 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: Scampi (raw) has a PRAL of +9.7 per 100 g, so it counts as acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
How much kale offsets a fillet (125 g) of scampi?
A fillet (125 g) of scampi adds +12.1 to your daily balance. Kale (fresh) has −11.7 per 100 g, so about 100 g of kale offset this serving.
Do I have to avoid scampi on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Scampi is acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Scampi 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.
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Compare all Fish & Seafood: Fish & Seafood 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.