3 Delicious 100% Alkalizing Meat Replacement Recipes - Save Our Bones

If you think an alkalizing meal must include mountainous piles of greens and vegetables heaped on a plate, you absolutely must read today’s post.

I’ll show you how you can get creative in the kitchen and whip up 100% alkalizing dishes that go beyond just veggies and salads. And an added bonus is that they contain complete vegetarian protein, so they substitute acidifying animal protein. Plus they’re easy to prepare, and are nutrient- and calorie-dense.

These three mouth-watering dishes are the perfect way to balance your meal’s pH while adding healthy protein and variety to your bone-rejuvenating diet.

Just What’s In These Recipes?

Today’s recipes have two ingredients in common: quinoa and lima beans. Together, they have complementary amino acids, forming what’s known as a complete protein (more about that later).

Lima beans are a an alkalizing Foundation Food, since they contain many Foundation Supplements, including calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, and Vitamin K. Quinoa is protein-rich, alkalizing and gluten-free, and it’s great at adding texture and a nutty flavor to a large variety of dishes.

In two of the recipes, you’ll also find tomatoes – an excellent source of bone-healthy lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that accounts for tomatoes’ red color and prevents oxidative damage to bones. And the tomatoes are cooked to make the lycopene more bioavailable, especially when they are cooked in olive oil.

All Of The Ingredients Are 100% Alkalizing!

It’s been scientifically proven in many studies, including a large meta-analysis, that a diet rich in alkalizing foods does in fact rejuvenate bones and prevent osteoporosis1. So it’s great news for Savers that protein can be alkalizing and delicious.

The Role Of Protein In A Bone-Renewing Diet

If you are following the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, then you know that protein (especially animal protein) is not emphasized. In Chapter 8, the Program explains the “protein myth,” and describes how proteins are built from amino acids found in a variety of foods, and why you don’t have to focus too much on getting large amounts of complete protein every day.

That’s what we’re “building” here with these recipes – using food combinations that contain all the amino acids to get complete proteins. In fact, just about all foods contain amino acids, which are “incomplete” proteins; but only some foods have all the amino acids that make up a complete protein, and most of those are animal-based and acidifying.

With today’s recipes, you’ll be combining vegetarian sources of amino acids to obtain all the protein “building blocks” your body needs. You see, protein is important in a bone-building diet, especially because of its role in building muscle. Strong muscles are crucial for building strong bones, because weak muscles can’t exert an appropriate amount of stress on your skeleton to stimulate bone growth (as per Wolff’s Law). Protein consumption, especially if eaten throughout the day rather than once a day, gives muscles what they need to get stronger.

Now let’s get to these delicious recipes, beginning with…

1. Hearty Stew

2 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ medium red onion, diced
  • ½ cup quinoa
  • ½ cup carrots, shredded
  • ½ cup green beans
  • 1½ cups vegetable broth
  • 5 tomatoes, cut up in small pieces
  • 1 cup lima beans, cooked
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon parsley flakes

Directions:

  1. In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion until soft.
  2. Add the quinoa, carrots, 1 cup broth, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and parsley. Bring to a boil, then simmer until quinoa is tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
  3. Stir in beans and cook for about 5 more minutes. You can add more vegetable broth to reach desired consistency.

2. pHabulous Veggie Burger

Makes 4 patties

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup quinoa
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 teaspoons fresh, minced basil, divided (or 1 ½ teaspoons dried)
  • 1 ½ cups lima beans, cooked
  • ½ cup green peas, fresh or frozen
  • ½ cup red bell pepper, finely diced (about 1/2 bell pepper)
  • ½ cup red onion, finely diced
  • juice of one lemon
  • 1/3 cup coconut or almond flour mixed with 2 teaspoons of water
  • Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Avocado oil (to grease pan)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
  2. In a medium pot, bring water, quinoa, garlic powder and 1 teaspoon fresh basil (or ½ teaspoon dried) to a boil. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until quinoa is fully cooked. Let stand uncovered for 10 minutes.
  3. Mash about 3/4 of the lima beans, leaving the rest whole.
  4. In a large bowl, mix well the quinoa, onion, red pepper, green peas, 2 teaspoons basil, and lemon juice. Add in the flour- water mixture and mix well. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Then mix in the lima beans.
  5. Divide mixture into 4 patties, about 1/2 inch thick, and place on greased pan or cookie sheet. Cook in oven for 30 minutes, turning once after 15 minutes.
  6. To reduce cooking time, you can use a skillet. Heat the oil and cook the patties about 4 to 5 minutes on each side.

3. Stuffed Roasted Tomatoes

4 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 8 small to medium tomatoes, cut in half
  • 2 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ cup quinoa, cooked
  • 1/3 cup cooked lima beans
  • ½ avocado
  • 1 ½ tablespoons fresh chopped basil leaves
  • 3 tablespoons sesame or sunflower seeds

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
  2. Scoop out the seeds and flesh of the tomatoes and set aside.
  3. Place tomato “cups” on a baking sheet and drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over them, then ¼ teaspoon each of salt (optional) and pepper. Roast for 12-15 minutes, just until tomatoes are juicy and soft. Make sure you don’t over-roast.
  4. While the tomatoes are in the oven, use a fork to mash the quinoa, lima beans, and avocado in a large bowl. Mix in the remaining olive oil, salt and pepper, and basil. Mash and mix well.
  5. When the tomatoes are ready, gently spoon the mixture into the tomato cups and sprinkle them with sesame or sunflower seeds. Bake for another 5-8 minutes until mixture is warm.

Creative Recipes Add Bone-Healthy Variety

Sometimes, nutritional programs and dietary approaches to healing are envisioned as boring, repetitive meals. Not so with the Osteoporosis Reversal Program and its companion cookbook, Bone Appétit!

That’s why I created Bone Appétit: to bring lots of bone-smart, creative and delicious dishes to your table. Building strong bones with proper nutrition should be enjoyable and not complicated.

And discovering how to use a variety of Foundation Foods in creative ways helps you stay on track with ease and without sacrificing taste.

Also, creative recipes make the nutritional Program even more customizable. For example, the above recipes are excellent if you find it challenging to maintain your weight or if you lead an active lifestyle, and would like to pack in a good amount of nutrient-rich calories.

So enjoy these bone-nourishing recipes, and feel free to share your cooking experiences with the community by leaving a comment below.

Till next time,

Eat Your Way to Stronger Bones!

Discover over 200 mouth-watering bone healthy recipes for breakfast, smoothies, appetizers, soups, salads, vegetarian dishes, fish, main courses and even desserts!

Learn More Now →

References

1 Lambert, Helen, et al. “The effect of supplementation with alkaline potassium salts on bone metabolism: a meta-analysis.” Osteoporosis International, January 2015 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-014-3006-9

The Top 14 Things You’re Doing That Are Damaging Your Bones... And More!

  • Stop The Bone Thieves! report
  • Email course on how to prevent and reverse bone loss
  • Free vital osteoporosis news and updates.
Get It Free Now

Comments on this article are closed.

  1. Diane

    Do you know why some docs and nutrition books say all cooked foods are acid forming ?

  2. Suzan Lowitz

    Two things. As a half century vegetarian, I’ve found many ways to get enough protein. Quinoa has only 8 grams of protein per cup. That’s a lot of calories for not much protein. Not enough for a main meal. Your recipes need more protein.

    Second, onions are an allergen and can be an inflammatory food. Please de-emphasize onions, which are a major ingredient in two of your three recipes.

  3. Diane Grant

    Thank you for actually give us recipes that do not contain nuts or seeds of any kind. A good majority of vegan recipes contain these ingredients. I can leave out the onion and peppers as I am allergic but can still make the recipe.

  4. Peggy

    Is the nutritional profile of broad beans or fava beans similar? The only dried Lima beans I’ve managed to find were worm eaten:(

    Do you have any guidelines on what constitutes ‘moderate’ consumption of meat? ‘Times per week’ is all I’ve seen, elsewhere and seems a bit fuzzy; I tend to use meat as a component of a dish, rather than the centre of a meal.

  5. LaWare Middleton

    Never left a comment before but have have benefited so much from your wisdom and knowledge. Thanks so much for the bone building recipes, the exercises, things to avoid. Everything has helped so much. Thank you

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      You are very welcome, LaWare. 🙂

  6. Jan

    Dear Vivian- A follow up regarding a meat replacement product. Since you answered my above concern about soy meat burgers such as Boca etc. I have found another company that is vegan, certified non gmo, and has good taste. It is made out of fermented organic tofu. You must watch the salt content-for it is rather high-but just eat alittle less. They have italian sausage, deli lunch meat type slices and others-available at the health food stores but also at Kroger for less cost. Hope this helps others that are looking. Good day, Jan.

  7. Jan

    Dear Vivian
    What is your feelings on eating meat replacement products such as Boca burgers and Morning Star Farms. You must use the lowest salt products among them of course- and read the ingrediants carefully for your particular diet concerns if any- besides the acid/ alkaline. Yet what about using the textured vegtable protein/soy protein they are made of? Is it a safe, wise choice on your alkaline diet plan? I have read sometimes soy can mess up hormones in some people yet I am 63 and past that menopause mess-I should be more balanced that way than some younger ladies. What’s your thoughts? Thanks Much, Sincerely Jan

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Jan,
      Most meat replacement “burgers” and such are soy-based, and soy is not recommended on the Program. Nearly all soy crops are genetically modified.

  8. Barbara Katzman

    Vivian, Please tell me if frozen foods are acidic?

  9. Carolyn

    Thanks Vivian … but one question re quinoa which comes in different colours. What do you recommend please.

    Regards,

    Carolyn

  10. Dee

    Hi Vivian, I was so happy that you told us previously about Lima beans. They are my husbands favorite and we have them frequently. A salad can be made with frozen green lima beans and artichoke hearts also.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Sounds delicious, Dee!

  11. Jan

    Dear Vivian,
    My situation abit different from most others. I am doing your save our bones program-yet I am on the blood thinner Coumadin(you must be careful how much Vit K food products you comsume each day, which is veggies and salad greens) plus I am doing low carb to get away from too much insulin producing activity which causes so many health problems. Is it possible for you to include the carb content total in your recipes to help folks like my self with several dietary situations going on. Thanks so much-your program is helping my previously ache ridden hips and legs to stop hurting. I test my urine with the PH test strips a couple times a day to make sure I stay in the balanced alkaline area and take 1 capsule ph buffer after my main meal at dinner to counteract the acid even better when I have meats. I am truly feeling much better! You are a wonderful lady! Most Sincerely, Jan

  12. Dorothy Robinson

    Dear Vivian,

    I am going to try your three recipes as they sound good.

    The medication called Zoledronic acid would you recommend one dose for osteoporosis? I am 86 years old.

    Thank you so much for all of your research and recommendations
    to save our bones.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Dorothy,
      I hope you enjoy the recipes!
      As far as Zoledronic acid (Reclast) goes, I do not recommend it or any osteoporosis drug. The Osteoporosis Reversal Program is all about reversing osteoporosis without them. 🙂 Feel free to search this site for more information on Zoledronic acid – just type the name of the drug (or any other topic of interest) into the Search box at the top of the page.

  13. shula

    Thanks!

  14. Monique Gray

    I agree with Sunny on April 13. Is there any way you can send your recipes without all the other stuff, perhaps on a separate page.
    Thank you.
    Monique

  15. brian wendel

    Really look forward to trying these recipes knew there was a reason why I have always liked lima beans and incorporating quinoa with other things would be a great help. I have been enjoying the teas you mentioned and feeling lots better. I always look forward to your weekly exercise tips and food recommendations.
    Thanks for all you do.
    Brian

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      You are welcome, Brian! I am glad you are enjoying the teas and, most importantly, are “feeling lots better.” 🙂

  16. Sunny

    Is there away I can print your recipes and exercises with out wasting the ink and paper on the other information. Thank you for giving this your attention.

    Sincerely, S

    • Kathleen

      Can you try clicking and pasting to another document?

    • kl_clayton

      You could try clicking on the print icon on the sidebar, and save to your computer as a pdf. Then you can choose which pages you want to print. Hope this helps.

  17. joy markman

    We only have canned lima beans here in south Africa – if you can find them! Are butter beans lima beans, as we can get plenty of those dry!
    Thanks so much Vivian for all your hard work.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Joy,
      Butter beans are considered another name for lima beans, but it varies somewhat depending on what region of the world you’re in. 🙂 In the southern part of the Untied States, butter beans are considered different, and are slightly larger and softer. But their nutritional profile is essentially the same.

  18. Diane

    I see someone mentioned butter beans, I was going to ask if you could use those instead of lima beans, are they the same? One recipe calls for cooked quinoa, is it uncooked in the other two?

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Diane,
      You can use butter beans instead of lima beans. They are nutritionally similar. And you use uncooked quinoa in the pHabulous Veggie Burger and Hearty Stew. 🙂

  19. MB

    The hearty stew recipe says to saute’ in olive oil until soft. Saute’ what? I’m assuming it’s the onion.

    • Customer Support

      Yes, it does refer to the onion! Thanks for bringing it to our attention – it now reads correctly. 🙂

  20. BISADBASU INDIA

    hearty thanks vivian, doing such social work for the people. I read every message but so many ingredients are not available in India Like kale, Quinoa etc pl. mention in what name & form these will be available in India

    • momcat

      Kale is a green (requires more cooking time than spinach or mustard greens), so one could use any mild green. Quinoa is a seed from South America that is high in protein and mildly alkaline. It cooks similar to white rice, except it requires soaking and rinsing beforehand to remove a bitter outer coating. I’m not sure what you would want to use to substitute for that, but I suppose a kind of rice and lentil mix? I’m not sure what that would do with the nutritional profile.

  21. sushma

    Very useful recipes indeed. Could some one help clarify about the alkalinity of cooked tomatoes? I have read that cooked tomatoes are acidic but raw are alkaline.
    Thank you.

    • Suzy

      The acidity of a tomato is different from it’s “alkalinity” when it is eaten. The alkalinity is how the body processes it, not it’s state of being (if that makes sense…). HTH! – Suzy

    • Kathleen

      I have read that while tomatoes and lemons are acid (technically speaking) they leave an alkaline ash so they are really considered to be alkaline forming.

    • Customer Support

      Hi Sushma,
      According to the Program, both cooked and raw tomatoes are alkalizing.

  22. Jan D

    A big thanks for these recipes Vivian. I know that quinoa is alkaline and so nutritious but I’m not keen on the taste of it on its own. But I really like lima beans (we call them butter beans in England) so I am looking forward to combining the quinoa and beans, I hadn’t thought of that. I like the idea of mixing avocado in the stuffed tomatoes as well since try as I might I cannot stomach avocado on its own. Plus I am vegetarian (except for some occasional fish) so these recipes are great for me.
    Just lately I’ve been making buckwheat pancakes (alkaline), just made from buckwheat flour, water, herb salt, bicarbonate of soda and either yoghurt or kefir (which I make myself). I could have the burgers with those and some salad.
    Thanks again.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Sounds delicious, Jan! And I am so glad these recipes give you some ideas for consuming foods you’re not too sure about eating on their own. 🙂

  23. Betty

    Thanks Vivian. These recipes look interesting. Do you use canned or dry lima beans? I hope they are not too time consuming. Have a great day.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Betty,
      I prefer to use dried, cooked lima beans to avoid BPA, a dangerous chemical that is often used in the lining of cans. Frozen lima beans are a good second choice. 🙂 You can read more about BPA and how to avoid it in this post:

      https://saveourbones.com/canned-food-bone-health/

  24. Zarayna Pradyer

    These look lovely, delicious recipes – thank you so much especially the lima bean info. which I didn’t know about.

    Very grateful.
    Kindest regards,

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      You are most welcome, Zarayna!

Get Started With Your FREE
Natural Bone Building Kit.

Get a free copy of our ‘Stop The Bone Thieves’ eBook, exclusive content that you can’t find anywhere else, plus vital osteoporosis news and updates.

Get It Free

Get Your Free Bone-Building Kit

FREE

‘Stop The Bone Thieves’ guide, exclusive info, plus vital osteoporosis news and updates.