Diet is a very important part of assisting your body in eliminating Candida albicans (or yeast). The following recommendations have been compiled from recent research in the field and are made as a guide to assist you in making helpful food choices for yourself. The more completely and closely the guidelines are observed, the more quickly you will see results and experience improvements in your health. How long you will need to limit you diet in this way will depend on the length of time this has been an underlying problem with you, the severity of your symptoms, and your overall health status. Many people find after eating strictly within the guidelines for 2-4 weeks, symptoms begin to disappear and they can SLOWLY incorporate whole foods from the restricted list back into their diets. Recurrence of your symptoms and your overall sense of well-being seem to be useful general guidelines in assessing the rate at which foods may or may not be introduced.
Most people find making the required diet changes as quickly as possible the most rewarding path offering the most immediate results and relief from symptoms. Others, however, find making changes in their diets more gradually over a longer period of time works best for them. This approach works well as long as changes do indeed continue to be made aiming at reaching the strictest “optimum” diet choices within a set period of time. Some factors to consider in choosing this more gradual path include the following:
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It’s easier to fall away from changing one’s diet and sticking to a program if a serious commitment has not been made
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Diet restrictions continue for a longer period of time because the healing process is slower overall
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Most importantly, improvements and changes in symptoms are slower in coming and often less noticeable and therefore provide less motivation to keep working at it
Whatever approach you choose, it’s important to remember when returning food to your diet, that a WHOLE foods diet is what you’re aiming for. Remember, some foods like highly refined and processed products or those containing chemical additives and preservatives (such as white sugar, white flour, soda pop, coffee, tea, alcohol, chocolate, etc.) you’re simply better off without! When reintroducing foods into your diet you should also take care not to emphasize those that feed the yeast or stress your immune system for a considerable period of time, even though you may be craving those foods and they may not produce noticeable symptoms right away. The Candida Diet is probably the most involved step on your road to recovery, and it will probably require a major shift in your shopping and eating habits but the long term benefits far outweigh the effort required to conform to the diet.
Carbohydrate Daily Total
Because carbohydrate metabolism is often impaired when Candida is a problem and because the body breaks the carbohydrates down into simple sugars which may feed the yeast, minimizing total carbohydrate content of one’s daily diet is an important dietary consideration
During the first 2-3 weeks of the diet one should aim for between 20-60 grams of carbohydrates per day with the optimum being closer to the 20 end of the scale initially. The leeway is given because some vegetarians who do not consume meat (which is low in carbohydrates) usually include some grains and/or beans which are higher in carbohydrates. Also age, activity level, and extent of grain sensitivities are made to suit individual needs
As symptoms disappear the carbohydrate total will gradually increase!
Low Carbohydrate Foods
Foods low in carbohydrates includes protein foods such as meat, turkey, chicken, fish, shellfish, and some nuts. Most vegetables, especially green and leafy ones, are also low in carbohydrates and can be used liberally in your diet. See the Foods To Cope With Candida list for more specific suggestions.
FOODS TO ELIMINATE IN CANDIDA ALBICANS TREATMENT
1. Yeast
All types of yeast and yeast-containing foods place additional burden on the body which is already coping with yeast overload. These include:
Bakers yeast, Brewers yeast, Engevita, Torula, “Good-tasting”, and any other types of yeast. Baked goods raised with yeast such as breads, rolls, crackers, bagels, coffee cakes, pastries.
Yeast Free Grain Choices
These include:
Sprouted Essene Bread (lifestream of Manna wheat or rye bread available in the freezer section of some health food stores – if yours does not, ask if they might order it for you)
Corn Tortillas and Tacos
Rice cakes and rice crackers
Wasa rye crackers (available in most grocery stores)
Dimpfelmeiers 100% Plus Rye bread (these may also contain wheat)
Muffins, biscuits, pancakes, irish soda bread, chapatis made at home using the flour of whole grains and baking soda and/or baking powder for leavening
Kensington Sourdough rye bread
Nutrilove Rice Bread (found in health food stores in the refrigerator section
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is made with a yeast culture which again stresses the system. Vinegar containing foods, sauces and condiments include: White vinegar, ketchup, pickles, red wine vinegar, worcestershire, pckled veggies Apple cider vinegar Accent (MSG)
Green olives Balsamic vinegar Steak sauce Relishes
Mayonnaise BBQ sauce Horseradish Salad dressing
Shrimp sauce mincemeat soy sauce chili sauce
Mustard
3. Sugar
Sugar feeds the yeast and encourages its growth and is best eliminated entirely. Eliminate sugar in all forms and sugar containing foods including:
White sugar Maple sugar Raw sugar Brown sugar
Molasses Demerrara Honey Date sugar
Amisake Maple syrup Turbinado Rice Yinnie Syrup
Corn syrup
Read labels carefully. There are other forms of hidden sugars to watch for such as:
Sucrose Glycogen Galactose Fructose
Glucose Monosaccharides Maltose Mannitol
Ploysaccharides Lactose Sorbitol
Malt Products – including malted drinks, cereals, and candies. (Malt is a sprouted grain that is kiln dried and used as a sweetener in many processed foods and beverages)
4. Fruits
The natural sugars in fruit support yeast growth and also tend to be yeast bearing foods. Eliminate the following:
Frozen, canned and dried fruits
All canned and frozen fruit juice
Oranges and orange juice
Melons (especially cantaloupe)
See the restricted list for fresh fruit and juices
5. Mushrooms
All edible fungi including mushrooms, morels, truffles, etc also increase yeast burden.
6. Peanuts, Peanut Butter and Pistachios
These nuts usually have high mold contamination which again overloads the body yeast burden.
7. Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages feed the yeast and stress other systems such as the liver and brain. These include:
Red wine Brandy Vodka Gin
White wine Rum Beer Scotch
All liqueurs Whiskey
Any fermented liquor (like cider and root beer)
8. Coffee and Tea (Black)
These beverages create an additional burden for the body’s already over-taxed stress-coping mechanisms. These include: regular coffee, instant coffee, decaffeinated coffee and all types of black tea (including fruit flavored ones). Herbal teas are generally recommended except in extreme cases. Both dried herbs and herbal teas do contain a small amount of mold as a result of the drying process, however, unless you are sensitive to them, we recommend their use in moderation.
DRINK -water (preferably distilled, spring or purified)
-Vegetable Broth (preferably homemade)
-Freshly Juiced Fruits and Vegetables keeping within the daily carbohydrate count and not orange juice
-Miso broth (in moderation)
9. Moldy and processed Cheeses
Roquefort and other “molded” cheeses add to the yeast overload. Processed cheese such as cheese slices, Velveeta, cheese whiz, cream cheese, cheese snacks, Kraft dinner, etc… are NOT supportive to your health at any time and should be avoided. See the Restricted List for other Dairy products.
10. Processed, Dried, Smoked and Pickled Meats
These include products such as:
Smoked salmon Hot dogs Salami
Pickled herring Pastrami Corned Beef
Sausages Bologna Kolbassa
Pickled Tongue Bacon Sandwich meats
Because of the processing of these products and the chemicals such as nitrites and nitrates used in many of them, they are not recommended for use at any time
11. Packaged, Processed and Refined Foods Generally
Canned, bottled, packaged, boxed, and other processed foods usually contain yeast, refined sugar, refined “enriched” flour, preservatives, chemicals, colouring, etc.. and are not recommended as part of a healthy diet.
FOODS TO RESTRICT IN CANDIDA ALBICANS TREATMENT
1. Dairy Products
How much you will restrict dairy products will be determined by your body’s ability to digest fat (which is often impaired by the Candida), and your level of sensitivity to cow’s milk and cow’s milk products such as cheese, yogurt, buttermilk, butter, etc. Usually eliminated are the following:
Cow’s milk in all forms (e.g. whole, skim, 2%, 1%, dry powdered etc.)
Most cheeses (the exception are those cheeses lower in milk lactose which may not provoke sensitivities in some people. These include Monteray jack, mozarella, sharp Cheddar (white), Colby, Swiss, and Provolone.
Skim yogurt is included for some people because of the helpful bacteria it contains.
Possible substitutes for Dairy
Goat’s milk and goat’s milk products (cheese, yogurt, etc.)
Soymilk (read the label as some commercial brands contain other ingredients e.g. Edensoy, Ah Soy, Soy Moo, etc.)
Nut milks (1/4 cup nuts + 1 cup water whizzed in the blender – try almonds, sesame, coconut, etc.)
Pecorino is a sheep’s cheese available in some Italian markets
REMINDER: If foods on the restricted list are not food sensitivities for you they should still only be used infrequently and in small amounts.
2. Fruits
Fruits are generally high in fructose, a natural sugar, and are subsequently high in carbohydrates. Fresh fruit and their juices (freshly squeezed juice where possible) that are not food sensitivities for you may be consumed occasionally in small amounts, as long as the recommended daily carbohydrate total is not exceeded. The sugar content will also feed the yeast and therefore should be minimized, if not eliminated, for the initial two week period.
3. Grains
Grains are also very high in carbohydrates, which when broken down by the body may feed the yeast. Therefore only those that you are not sensitive to should be consumed and, again, only occasionally in small amounts keeping within the daily carbohydrate total. Possible grains include:
Millet Rye Amaranth (actually a seed)
Barley Wheat Long and short grain brown rice
Oats Buckwheat Triticale (a hybrid of wheat and rye)
Quinoa Durum flour (a wheat containing less gluten)
4. Fats and Oils
Because fat metabolism is often impaired when Candida is a problem, fats and oils should be carefully tested and consumed in minimal amounts (e.g. 2 tablespoons per day.
Vegetable oils that have been cold-pressed without heat (usually available in health food stores) are your best choices. Some research indicates that sesame and corn oil (cold-pressed) are the most useful in the treatment of Candida albicans. Other oils to test include: safflower, sunflower, linseed, olive, almond etc… Some researchers also recommend adding a 400IU capsule of Vitamin E to a bottle of cold-pressed oil as soon as it is opened to reduce oxidation. All oils should be stored in a refrigerator once opened.
If you are not sensitive to butter, a useful idea is to mix the unsalted butter with a good vegetable oil (like sesame, corn, safflower, etc.) in a ratio of 1:1 (e.g. mix ½ a cup butter with ½ a cup oil). You can do this by hand, with a rotary mixer, or a blender. This mixture will be spreadable soft right from the refrigerator and should be stored in the fridge. You may also add garlic or herbs (like dill, tarragon, chives, etc.) for a more interesting spread.
Supplements
Mention should be made that many vitamin and mineral supplements today (especially multiple vitamin/minerals, B-Complex vitamins and selenium products) usually contain yeast or sugar unless specifically labeled yeast-free and sugar-free. These would be better avoided until the Candida is eliminated as they add to the yeast burden and/or feed the yeast.
Supplements and remedies to support the immune system, aid in fat metabolism, and act as anti-fungal agents to fight the Candida may also be recommended in conjunction with dietary recommendations
A final reminder that this is a temporary condition that CAN be brought under control with persistence and patient care!!!
Water
Finally, it is important to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Ordinary tap water should be avoided and bottled spring water or distilled water used instead. Green tea can also provide many health benefits and may be used freely.
Natural Yeast Fighters
There are a number of foods that have antifungal properties. Among the most potent are garlic, onion, radish, black radish and horseradish. Garlic and onion are particularly beneficial, especially if eaten raw. Horseradish and watercress contain oils that suppress the growth of Candida yeast. Add fresh watercress to your salad: not only does it taste delicious but it aids in the fight against Candida
Lifestyle and Exercise
Whether or not your health problems are related to yeast, you will need to exercise if you want to enjoy good health. Exercise will increase your energy level, mental alertness and feeling of well-being. Furthermore, studies have shown that people who exercise develop fewer illnesses and are less apt to have accidents.
Aerobic exercise, which requires the use of oxygen to produce energy, are especially effective. Recommended aerobic exercises include walking, running, aerobic dance, swimming, cross-country skiing, bicycling and rowing. If you want to look good, feel good and overcome health problems of any sort, you’ll need to exercise regularly.
FOODS TO COPE WITH CANDIDA
Choose a wide variety from the following list!
USE LIBERALLY
Vegetables Green Leafy Vegetables
(Salads and Steamed)
Artichoke (green) Cabbage (red, green, savoy, etc.)
Asparagus Chinese cabbage
Bamboo Shoots Chives
Broccoli Endive
Brussel Sprouts Escarole
Cauliflower Greens
Celery -Beet
Cucumber -Collard
Daikon (Chinese radish) -Dandelion
Eggplant -Kale
Fennel -Mustard
Garlic -Turnip
Kohlrabi Lettuce (romaine, leaf, boston,
Leeks not Iceburg, head lettuce)
Okra Parlsey
Onions Rapini
Peppers (red, green, yellow, etc.) Spinach
Radish Swiss Chard
Rutabaga (yellow) Watercress
Snow peas
Sprouts
-alfalfa
-Mung Fresh Herbs
-Lentil/Chick pea mix
-any grain or dried bean sprout Basil
String beans Chives
Tomato Dill
Turnip (white) Oregano
Zucchini (summer squash) Parsley
*Jerusalem Artichoke Rosemary
*Popcorn – 1 cup portion Sage
*Winter squash Tarragon
etc…
* use these with some caution
Protein Foods
***Note: protein foods should not be dried, smoked, cured or pickled
Fish Seafood
Salmon (Chinook) Abalone
Mackeral (Atlantic) Clams
Salmon (pink) Crab (Alaska King)
Tuna (Albacore, canned and light) Crab (Blue, canned)
Sablefish Escargot
Herring (Atlantic) Mussels
Trout (Rainbow) Octopus
Bass (Striped Oysters
Catfish Scallops
Ocean perch Shrimp
Halibut (Pacific) Squid
Flounder
Haddock Meat (Organically fed and raised)
Turbot
Sardines Chicken
Cod Cornish hen
Sole Duck
Red Snapper Turkey
Swordfish Rabbit
Grouper Beef
Boston Bluefish Frogs legs
ETC… Lamb
Goat
Nuts (in moderation) Venison
Pheasant
Almonds Quail
Sunflower seeds ETC…
Pumpkin seeds
Sesame seeds Alternate Sources
Filberts
Brazil nuts Soybeans
Walnuts Tofu
Pine nuts Tempeh
Pecans Eggs (soft yolked)
Pistachios
Macadamia Nuts
**NOTE: nuts can be used as nut butters or ground and used as flour for muffins and pancakes etc…
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Candida Diet – Treatment and Prevention
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