Is Spelt (Whole Kernel) Acidic or Alkaline?
Spelt, whole kernel (raw) is acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion. Acid-forming, like every grain: whole spelt kernels come in at +9.3 per 100 g, spelt bread at +6.1 and cooked spelt pasta at +3.7. Spelt is no more alkaline than wheat.
Classification
Whole spelt kernels come in at +9.3, higher than amaranth or buckwheat. Spelt has more protein than most grains, and the protein with its phosphorus clearly outweighs potassium and magnesium. So its reputation as an easy-to-digest ancient grain says nothing about its mineral balance. Cooked, the kernels absorb water and spread the acid load over more weight. The same goes for bread.
In the Grains, Bread & Pasta category, spelt (whole kernel) (raw) ranks #110 of 121, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Wheat bran (+9.2), Emmer (farro) (+8.7), Corn pasta (+8.2). More acid-forming are Corn flour (+9.7), Wheat tortilla (wrap) (+10.0), Whole spelt flour (+10.5).
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 spelt (whole kernel)
One slice of spelt bread (50 g) of spelt (whole kernel) adds +4.7 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is spelt (whole kernel) 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: Spelt, whole kernel (raw) has a PRAL of +9.3 per 100 g, so it counts as acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
How much lamb's lettuce offsets one slice of spelt bread (50 g) of spelt (whole kernel)?
One slice of spelt bread (50 g) of spelt (whole kernel) adds +4.7 to your daily balance. Lamb's lettuce (fresh) has −8.3 per 100 g, so about 60 g of lamb's lettuce offset this serving.
Do I have to avoid spelt (whole kernel) on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Spelt, whole kernel is acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Spelt, Whole Kernel logged, balance checked.
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Compare all Grains, Bread & Pasta: Grains, Bread & Pasta 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.