Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your CNS Certification!

Soybeans are considered the least likely food source to contribute to dietary acid load according to the renal acid load model. This is primarily due to their relatively high content of alkali-forming minerals and low levels of sulfur-containing amino acids, both of which are key factors influencing acid load in the body.

The renal acid load model suggests that food items can have either acid-forming or alkali-forming potential based on their nutrient composition. Soybeans are a plant-based protein source, and their nutrient profile contains significant amounts of magnesium and potassium, both of which are important in buffering excess acids in the body. Additionally, soy products typically exhibit a more balanced proportion of amino acids compared to animal products, making them less prone to producing a high acid load upon metabolism.

In contrast, other food sources such as meat, fish, and eggs are known to be higher in sulfur-containing amino acids, which can lead to a net increase in acid load during metabolism. Foods like walnuts and pumpkin seeds also have some acid-forming potential due to their overall composition, while oats, macaroni, and rye, although they contain carbohydrates which can be more neutral, are still more acid-forming compared to soybeans. Therefore, soybeans are favored in dietary plans intended to