Is Tempeh Acidic or Alkaline?
Tempeh (prepared) is acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion.
Classification
Tempeh comes in at +6.8, slightly below plain tofu (+8.3), even though it's also made from soybeans. The bean's protein determines the value, but tempeh keeps the whole fermented bean, including its potassium. Compared with seitan at +14.0, it's the milder meat substitute. In a stir-fry with broccoli and bell peppers, your plate becomes even more balanced.
In the Plant-Based Alternatives category, tempeh (prepared) ranks #16 of 21, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Vegan cheese (cashew-based) (+5.0), Soy yogurt (unsweetened) (+3.3), Soy yogurt (+1.7). More acid-forming are Tofu, smoked (+8.0), Tofu, plain (+8.3), Seitan (+14.0).
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 tempeh
100 g of tempeh adds +6.8 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tempeh 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: Tempeh (prepared) has a PRAL of +6.8 per 100 g, so it counts as acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
How much lamb's lettuce offsets 100 g of tempeh?
100 g of tempeh adds +6.8 to your daily balance. Lamb's lettuce (fresh) has −8.3 per 100 g, so about 80 g of lamb's lettuce offset this serving.
Do I have to avoid tempeh on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Tempeh is acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Tempeh 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 Plant-Based Alternatives: Plant-Based Alternatives 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.