Is Plain Tofu Acidic or Alkaline?
Tofu, plain (prepared) is acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion. Acid-forming. Plain tofu has a PRAL of +8.3 per 100 g, which is lower than meat (+11 to +14) but well above legumes such as lentils (+3.1).
Classification
Many people think tofu is alkaline, but plain tofu is at +8.3. When the soy curd is pressed, the curds rich in protein and phosphorus stay behind, while part of the potassium drains off with the whey. Silken tofu, which is not pressed, is at −2.0. A 200 g block adds just over +16, putting it closer to raw pork tenderloin (+9.3) than many people expect.
In the Plant-Based Alternatives category, plain tofu (prepared) ranks #18 of 21, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Tofu, smoked (+8.0), Tempeh (+6.8), Vegan cheese (cashew-based) (+5.0). More acid-forming are Seitan (+14.0), Soy protein powder (+50.7), Soy protein isolate (+67.0).
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 plain tofu
A serving of tofu (150 g) of plain tofu adds +12.4 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is plain tofu 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: Tofu, plain (prepared) has a PRAL of +8.3 per 100 g, so it counts as acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
How much kale offsets a serving of tofu (150 g) of plain tofu?
A serving of tofu (150 g) of plain tofu adds +12.4 to your daily balance. Kale (fresh) has −11.7 per 100 g, so about 110 g of kale offset this serving.
Do I have to avoid plain tofu on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Tofu, plain is acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Tofu, Plain 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.