Foods to Avoid With Candida Albicans
Candida albicans is a yeast that can sometimes overgrow in the body, causing an array of unpleasant side effects including fatigue, weight gain, bloating, depression, mood swings, headaches as well as muscle and joint pain. The diet recommended to get rid of candida is a low-carbohydrate and low-sugar diet, which has the objective of depriving the yeast of its main food source 4.
Potatoes
Potatoes contain a lot of carbohydrates which are quickly turned into sugar and likely to serve as food for the yeast candida albicans. For example, a cup of mashed potatoes provides 35.3 g carbohydrates while 20 strips of french fries provide 71.9 g carbohydrates.
Grains
Breakfast for a Yeast-Free Diet
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All grains provide high amounts of carbohydrates and should be eliminated from your diet to get rid of candida 4. These foods also include:
- bread
- crackers
- breakfast cereals
- pasta
- granola bars
- oatmeal
- cookies
- other baked goods
Peanuts and Legumes
Legumes, like beans and lentils, have a high carbohydrate content which is not suitable for the candida diet 4. As for peanuts, they are not considered a nut, but rather belong to the legume family. Although peanuts have a lower carbohydrate content compared to other legumes, they are likely to be contaminated with molds, which can promote or maintain candida overgrowth.
Sugar
Yeast & Sugar Free Diet
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Sugar cannot be consumed when following the candida diet, at least during the first phase to increase your chances of getting rid of it 4. Of course any desserts or foods containing added sugar are also off-limits to eliminate candida albicans 4.
Alcohol
Alcohol is also best to be avoided because the sugar it contains can also serve as food for candida albicans. Stay away from wine, beer and spirits to help you get rid of this yeast.
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References
- The Environmental Illness Resource: Candida and Gut Dysbiosis
- No-Hype Holistic Health Solutions: Candida Diet
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Nutrient Data Laboratory
- Candida Diet: Foods to Avoid
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- Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2015) Appendix 7. Nutritional Goals for Age-Sex Groups Based on Dietary Reference Intakes and Dietary Guidelines Recommendations. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Kim J, Sudbery P. Candida albicans, a major human fungal pathogen. J Microbiol. 2011;49(2):171-7. doi:10.1007/s12275-011-1064-7
- Martinez RCR, Franceschini SA, Patta MC, et al. Improved treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis with fluconazole plus probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14. Letters Applied Microbiol. 2009;48(3):269-74. doi:10.1111/j.1472-765x.2008.02477.x
Writer Bio
Aglaee Jacob is a registered dietitian. She has experience working with people who have diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and obesity issues. Jacob obtained a bachelor of science and a master of science, both in nutrition, from Laval University in Quebec City, Canada.