How to Avoid Sugar If You Have Staph Infections

Written by Brian Connolly

14 August, 2017

Fact Checked

Staph infections are caused by contact with staphylococcus bacteria 1. According to the Mayo Clinic, staph infections can range from minor skin problems and blemishes to a life-threatening inflammation of the heart valve lining and can often be detected in the form of boils and cellulitis 1. Whether you suffer chronically from staph infections or have been recently diagnosed for the first time, avoiding sugar in your diet is an integral part of mitigating the damage caused by staph infections because sugar helps feed the bacteria, allowing it to thrive in the body 1.

Scan your favorite food, snack and beverage container's ingredients list for sugar. Locate any foods with sugar or sugar synonyms such as glucose and high fructose corn syrup and remove them from your house. Make sure the amount of sugar listed in the nutritional facts of each product is labeled zero grams.

Symptoms of a Sugar Allergy

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Replace any high-sugar beverages you normally consume with sugar-free alternatives that utilize stevia or xylitol as sugar substitutes. Opt for diet sodas in place of regular soft drinks, or better yet, reduce your consumption of all beverages that contain sugar by drinking purified water instead.

Avoid alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine. According to the web resource Bella Online, both beer and wine break down into sugar in the blood, resulting in elevated levels of glucose that can essentially feed a staph infection 2.

How to Remove Sugar From Your System

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Perform a pantry makeover to replace all high-sugar foods and snacks with sugar-free alternatives, such as cheese, raw vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, whole grains, lean meats and items that have been processed to exclude sugars, such as sugar-free peanut butter. Reduce the risk of consuming sugary snacks during the day by preparing your own meals in the morning and carrying them with you throughout the day for eating.

Check every food label before eating it to reduce your exposure to hidden sugars. According to CBS News, the average American consumes 160 pounds of sugar annually, much of which is hidden sugars 3. Avoid salad dressings, ketchup, tomato sauces, marinades, soup broths and barbecue sauces that appear sweet tasting. Ask for simplified food dishes without marinade or dressing when eating out to reduce your exposure to sugary restaurant seasonings.

Tips

Wash your hands with soap and water several times a day and cover any open cuts or wounds as per the National Education Association’s recommendations to reduce the risk of spreading infection.