You have probably heard the term “yeast infection” before but the term “Candida albicans” is not as common. Candida albicans is the broad term used to describe the yeast-like organisms that exist in our bodies. While we often think of yeast in terms of irritating infections – like the vaginal yeast infection or oral thrush – the truth is that just about 80% of the population lives with yeast in the body daily. When the body is in proper balance, the yeast lives happily with the other natural bacteria in your body.
There are times when things can get a bit messed up, though. When you are ill or begin taking antibiotics that mess up the natural balance of bacteria and Candida organisms, the Candida begins to grow into what most doctors refer to as an “overgrowth.” When this happens, you can develop a condition called candidiasis, where you begin to develop a wide variety of yeast and fungal conditions. These include not only vaginal yeast infections but ringworm, gastrointestinal disorders, fungal skin infections, joint pain, and many other symptoms.
So what happens when the body is overtaken by Candida? The best way to bring your body back into balance is to eat what is commonly referred to as the Candida diet. Doing so will help to detox your body of the excess Candida organisms and will bring your body back into balance. The following are 10 things you simply must keep in mind as you attempt to transition to this special type of diet.
1. Avoid Foods Made with Yeast
This should be common sense but it deserves a mention – in order to reduce the amount of yeast in your diet you need to avoid foods that contain yeast. This means you’ll need to avoid any kind of yeast – including nutritional, Baker’s, and Brewer’s. You’ll need to cut most breads, pastries, rolls, bagels, and other baked goods from your diet.
2. Avoid All Sugars
Sorry, but sugar is a huge no-no on the Candida diet as well. It doesn’t matter if you’re eating refined sugars or something you consider natural. Sugar, honey, sucrose, molasses, artificial sweeteners, coconut sugar, agave nectar, chocolate – they’re all off limits. Check the ingredient labels before eating anything. If it has sugar, stay away.
3. Try to Look for Gluten Free Foods
Most foods containing gluten can contribute to Candida overgrowth. In order to reduce the overgrowth in your body you’ll want to cut all of the gluten grains, including rye, wheat, and barley. Considering the recent surge in gluten-free foods on the market, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding replacements.
4. Avoid All Vinegars
Vinegar can contribute to the growth of Candida, so you’ll need to avoid it at all costs. You’ll be surprised at the number of foods that actually contain vinegar. Start by avoiding the basics in your kitchen – including apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and white vinegar. You’ll also need to avoid anything made with vinegar. Examples of these foods include olives, relish, mustard, ketchup, most salad dressings, and steak sauce. Make sure you check the labels on all of your condiments before eating. A vast majority do contain vinegar.
5. Mushrooms
Mushrooms should be avoided while you are on the Candida diet. This is because of their fungal nature. There’s really not much else to say about that.
6. Look for Probiotics and Antifungals
Once you’ve eliminated some of the bad foods from your diet you’ll want to start supporting your digestive system again. By adding probiotics and antifungals to your diet you’ll be able to fight the overgrowth while at the same time bringing the good bacteria in your digestive track back into balance with the natural Candida. There are tons of natural probiotics and antifungals on the market, but if you aren’t sure which to take you should talk to your doctor or alternative medicine provider first.
7. Add Good Foods to Your Diet
Now that we’ve talked about what you should not eat, let’s go over some of the things you can have. Vegetables are great because they don’t contain the sugars Candida needs to survive, so stock up on asparagus, avocado, broccoli, celery, cabbage, onions, kale, snow peas, tomatoes, zucchini, and other foods you love.
Live yogurt cultures, like those found in kefir or plain yogurt, contain more of the probiotics we mentioned before. The cultures will help your body create higher levels of good bacteria needed to fight Candida.
Meats and fish are great, too, but only if you’re eating fresh, organic cuts. These are free of sugars and have no mold, so you’ll feel full and you won’t be promoting the growth of the Candida. Nuts, seeds, and most herbs and spices are great for a Candida diet as well.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t. Talk to your doctor or a homeopathic practitioner about how you can best over haul your diet to see quick results. The sooner you clear the Candida overgrowth from your body the sooner you’ll begin to feel better.
About the Author: Deborah Dera has been studying natural and alternative health remedies for many years and often incorporates aspects of the Candida diet into her life to simply avoid minor infections. This diet is the best candida home remedy you’ll ever encounter and should be taken seriously, even if you have to reach out for help to implement it in your own kitchen.
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