A Diet For Candida

Candida is defined as a group of yeast-like fungi that live in moist areas of the body.  Sometimes the candida, which is usually kept in check by beneficial bacteria in the body, can grow beyond a person’s normal tolerance levels.  It is heavy infections of candida in the stomach and intestines that can contribute to a wide range of different disorders.

In order to combat this problem, sufferers need to alter their diet to improve their health in this area.  This is normally done over the course of three to six weeks.  One of the most important steps in combating yeast infections is to alter your diet to deprive the yeast of sustenance.  Certain foods need to be avoided or altogether eliminated from the diet like processed, sugary foods.  These foods are almost designed to promote yeast growth.  The most important foods to avoid are those containing yeasts and molds including some dairy products like cheese, and fermented foods.  Food that is high in starch and alcoholic substances that break down into sugars should also be avoided in this diet as well.

It may seem like there are a lot of restrictions in the types of food someone can eat when they are adapting to a diet specifically designed to combat the over production of candida.  However, you are in essence getting your body back to the basics of natural unprocessed foods that are truly what the body needs.  There are a wide range of healthy and enjoyable foods that can be eaten while following such a diet.  The diet calls for eating more vegetables and beans.  You should also be eating more meats, eggs and whole grains.  You can also include some helpful supplements in your diet.  Such supplements can be found through your doctor or at your health food store.  Some sufferers have found that “Probiotics”, which are pills with live beneficial bacteria, help greatly in improving symptoms and can help in restoring a more normal balance with in the body between candida and helpful bacteria.  A moderate exercise program can also help sufferers to improve their overall health as well as promoting weight loss.  Many people who follow this diet say that they have increased energy and a lack of fatigue which makes exercise more possible and enjoyable and further aids in weight reduction.  By making a conscious effort to maintain the health of the body through food intake your body will be healthier and many of the undesirable symptoms of yeast overgrowth will be gone.  A diet that is designed to combat the overgrowth of candida can help start a person on a path to feeling healthy and well.  It is truly imperative to adapt your body to a more healthy style of eating if the recurring yeast infections are to be defeated for life.  This kind of diet can often alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel disease, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic ear infections, asthma, and attention deficit disorder by reducing the candida level within the body.


Yeast Free Diet

Yeast Free Diet

A yeast free diet is a diet that is followed by those who are yeast intolerant and is intended to inhibit the overgrowth of Candida yeast within the body.  The dietary restrictions are focused around promoting health and the overall well being of the person.  Although it is normal for bacteria to reside in the body, sometimes it gets out of control causing the sufferer to notice certain symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating.

Following a yeast free diet means eliminating foods that are high in yeast like breads, rolls, cookies, pastries, pretzels and other kinds of bready foods.  Vinegar is also high in yeast and should be avoided as well as foods that contain vinegar like mayonnaise, salad dressing, barbecue sauce, mustard, pickles and pickled foods.  Plus foods that are fermented including sauerkraut or cider should be avoided plus wine, beer and spirits.  Other foods that should be avoided in a yeast free diet are moldy foods like cheese, dried, smoked or pickled meats, cured bacon, mushrooms, and some nuts like peanuts and pistachios.  Other kinds of moldy foods include soy sauce, malt, pre-packaged herbs and teas plus, canned tomatoes.  Although a person that is yeast intolerant typically will crave sugary foods, certain types should be avoided in a yeast free diet like typical processed sugar including granulated, confectioners, and brown sugar.  Foods that contain sugar should be eliminated from the diet like chocolate, honey and maple syrup plus, soft drinks and drink mixes.  High fructose corn syrup should be avoided as well as some fruits that are high in sugar like grapes, raisins, dates, prunes and figs and citrus fruits plus fruit juices and dried fruits.

Over the course of following the diet for at least three to six weeks, there will be a huge die-off of yeast within the system.  Your body will slowly adjust to the new diet and you will look and feel much healthier.  The diet flushes the toxins from your system and provides much greater short-term and long- term energy reserves.  Unfortunately, within the first few weeks of the diet the body will be dumping many yeast toxins into the intestinal and vaginal tracts which can cause flu- like fatigue, weakness and irritability. However, the body will quickly rebound.  In order to maintain good health over time and prevent yeast problems from reoccurring in the body, you should continue to avoid yeast, sugar and dairy products for the entire length of the diet.  After about six weeks you can gradually add small amounts of some of the other restricted foods back into your diet.  You should only add one new food at a time.  You need to track your body closely at this time to see if that particular food causes problems for your system.  You will then know if this is a food you should continue to avoid.  In most cases, those who are yeast intolerant will learn how to limit their bodies from the amount of yeast they eat and will learn their body’s symptoms and know when they need to avoid all kinds of yeasty foods for a short time.