Candida Diet Tips
**Candida is the technical term defining an “overgrowth of yeast" in your body, and it is fungal in nature.
** If you are suffering from Candida, or recurrent yeast infections, you will benefit from a strict Candida diet 1.
The purpose of the diet is to starve the Candida fungus and clear it out of your system. This is a very simple yet restrictive diet that is to be combined with an herbal cleansing program.
No Yeast
Candida feeds on yeast 1. Yeast is an active ingredient in many different foods, with bread being the most obvious. **You must become label-conscious.
If yeast is an ingredient, then it best to avoid that food. Beer is made with brewer's yeast, so this is on the “no” list as well. **
- Yeast is an active ingredient in many different foods, with bread being the most obvious.
- Beer is made with brewer's yeast, so this is on the “no” list as well.
No Sugar
Doug Kaufmann Phase One Diet Foods
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Candida feeds on sugar. All sugars need to be eliminated, including fruit juices and fruits that are high in sugar content. This includes bananas, red apples, peaches and pears. No canned fruits or dried fruits either as they are very high in sugar.
- All sugars need to be eliminated, including fruit juices and fruits that are high in sugar content.
No Dairy
No milk, cheese of any kind, creamers, ice cream or yogurt.
A small amount of yogurt can be permitted in later stages of your Candida diet. Speak to your nutritionist or health care provider.
- No milk, cheese of any kind, creamers, ice cream or yogurt.
- Speak to your nutritionist or health care provider.
No Moldy, Fermented or Fungal Foods
Berries in the Candida Diet
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Moldy foods like peanuts, pistachios, cantaloupe and cheese need to be avoided.
Fermented foods like vinegar, wine, all alcohols and pickled condiments need to be avoided as well. Mushrooms are a fungus, so anything in the mushroom family must be avoided.
Drinks
Water is an essential part of your Candida diet. It will help to flush out toxins that are produced when Candida begins to die off in your system. You can also drink herbal teas and organic cranberry juice diluted with water and sweetened with xylitol or stevia. Coffee is very acidic and can create a breeding ground in your system for Candida to flourish.
- Water is an essential part of your Candida diet.
- Coffee is very acidic and can create a breeding ground in your system for Candida to flourish.
Vegtables
Fresh vegetables will be a mainstay while you are on a Candida diet. Make sure to have plenty of vegetables available to snack on and prepare for meals.
Potatoes are allowed after you are on the diet for two weeks. Sweet potatoes are okay at any time.
- Fresh vegetables will be a mainstay while you are on a Candida diet.
Fruit
Yeast Infection Advisor states that some approved fruits for the Candida diet are green apples, berries, avocados, grapefruit, lemons and limes 1. Avocado is another a very good source of good fat during this diet.
Protein
Another staple of your Candida diet or cleanse is protein 1. Beef, chicken and fish are good choices. Stay away from pork as it can have parasites that can interfere will the Candida cleansing process. Dairy-free, sugar-free and yeast-free whey protein can be beneficial if you are hungry and seeking extra protein in your diet. Eggs are an alkalizing food and can be used in many recipes while on the Candida diet.
- Another staple of your Candida diet or cleanse is protein 1.
- Dairy-free, sugar-free and yeast-free whey protein can be beneficial if you are hungry and seeking extra protein in your diet.
Whole Grains
There is a difference of opinion amongst practitioners as to whether or not whole grains such as oats, millet, cornmeal, amaranth and brown rice are acceptable. Ask your practitioner what method he feels is best for you.
Related Articles
References
- Yeast Infection Advisor: The Recommended Candida Diet or Yeast Infection Diet
- Modern Herbalist.com: Companion Diet for Candida and Parasite Rotation Protocol
- Yapar Nur. Epidemiology and risk factors for invasive candidiasis. Ther Clin Risk Mgmt. 2014;10(2014):95-105. doi:10.2147/tcrm.s40160
- Buggio L, Somigliana E, Borghi A, Vercellini P. Probiotics and vaginal microecology: fact or fancy? BMC Womens Health. 2019 Jan;19:25. doi:10.1186/s12905-019-0723-4
- Gunther LSA, Martins HPR, Pimenta de Abreu AL, et al. Prevalence of Candida albicans and non-albicans isolates from vaginal secretions: comparative evaluation of colonization, vaginal candidiasis and recurrent vaginal candidiasis in diabetic and non-diabetic women. Sao Paulo Med. J. 2014;132(2):116-20. doi:10.1590/1516-3180.2014.1322640
- Xie HY, Feng D, Wei DM, Mei L, Chen H, Wang X, Fang F. Probiotics for vulvovaginal candidiasis in non-pregnant women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;23;11(11):CD010496. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010496.pub2
- Niewenhuizen WF, Pieters RHH, Knippels LMJ. Is Candida albicans a trigger in the onset of coeliac disease? Lancet. 2003;361(9375):2152-4. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13695-1
- Pérez-Torrado R, Querol A. Opportunistic strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: A potential risk sold in food products. Frontiers Microbiol. 2016;6:8. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01522
- Wilson D. A tale of two yeasts: Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a therapeutic against candidiasis. Virulence. 2017;8(1):15-7. doi:10.1080/21505594.2016.1230580
- 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
Lori Hamann is a transformational life coach and counselor. She holds a Master of Science degree in counseling and is well versed in holistic health, wellness and personal development. Hamann has authored several e-books, Internet-based e-zines and courses in her area of expertise. She's been writing for 12 years.