Can I Eat Rice Cakes on an Anti-Yeast Diet?

Most individuals find an anti-yeast diet quite difficult physically, with the extreme fatigue and other symptoms that accompany die-off rather debilitating in many. However, in the initial stages, constructing a suitable diet plan can also present a challenge. The question of whether to include rice cakes or just stands out as one such dilemma.

Systemic Yeast

The symptoms of a systemic yeast infection can vary from one person to the next, but typically include carbohydrate cravings, brain fog, fatigue and itching. Leon Chaitow, a naturopath and the author of “Candida Albicans,” explains how such infections often result from the overuse of antiobiotics or excessive sugar intake, which can create bacterial imbalance in the intestines before spreading to other parts of the body 2.

Anti-Yeast Diet

The Yeast Connection Diet

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The major ingredient in treating such issues involves the elimination of sugar to starve the yeasts, the use of probiotics to help repopulate the intestinal bacteria and the introduction of anti-fungals. Dr. Rodger Murphree, a U.S. physician who has crafted several treatment plans for the condition, explains how the use of anti-fungal foods like coconut oil, garlic and grapefruit seed extract can help eradicate the problematic organisms.

Sugar

The elimination of sugar remains key to a successful outcome. Jonny Bowden, a board-certified nutritionist and the author of several books on health and nutrition, explains how yeasts derive their nourishment from sugar and recommends that sufferers completely remove it from their diet. He also points out that carbohydrate-rich foods like rice, pasta and bread convert into sugar in the intestines and should be kept to a low level.

Rice Cakes

Yeast & Sugar Free Diet

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As the name suggests, manufacturers make rice cakes from rice, applying heat until individual grains puff up. Although they have become popular in recent years as a low-calorie snack, rice cakes have existed in many forms in different countries. Because of the air content, rice cakes provide a lower density of carbohydrates in relation to their bulk.

Dietary Inclusion

Because of their relatively low carbohydrate content, rice cakes may feature in anti-yeast diets in controlled amounts. However, as pointed out by Bowden, the overall carbohydrate intake must remain at a low level in order to continue a starvation effect on the problematic yeast populations, at least until the die-off phase ends.