The Anti-Candida Diet
The basic principle of the Anti-Candida Diet (ACD) is to avoid foods that feed Candida yeast or that trigger adverse reactions in the body.
Yeast lives off of sugar to fuel its metabolism and to complete its fermentation reaction. Thus, it is most important to avoid all of these sweeteners. Sucrose, fructose, glucose-- even lactose, dextrose, maltose... generally anything ending in the suffix "-ose." This includes table sugar, corn syrup, honey, maple syrup, cane sugar, turbinado sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and sugars used as food additives, such as dextrose. Fruits should also be limited, because they contain a significant amount of fructose.
Since lactose (literally, "milk sugar") falls into the sugar category, it is important to avoid dairy. This includes milk, cream, butter, cheese, yogurt, etc.
Simply carbohydrates are also fuel for Candida, since they are broken down into simple sugars (fructose and glucose) in the body. Thus, wheat/white flour, starchy foods, and processed foods also need to be avoided. This includes wheat/white bread products, potatoes, corn, tortillas, pasta, etc.
Additionally, fermented foods and foods containing yeast can cause adverse reactions in the body. This can be a result of the Candida-infected body being oversensitive to fermentation byproducts. Therefore, foods such as yogurt, vinegar, alcohol, miso, and in some cases, soy, should also be avoided.
So-- What does this leave for us to live on?
The best bet is leafy green vegetables. Most meats are also safe- especially lean chicken and fish. Protein from nuts and beans is also helpful. Additionally, low-glycemic index (GI) grains such as teff, millet, and brown rice can provide carbohydrates with limited sugars. Low GI sweeteners are also available, such as stevia and yacon syrup.
Entering the world of Anti-Candida eating may seem like a daunting- if not impossible- task. With an open mind, a little creativity, and a willingness to look towards the future, it really isn't all that bad. Different people can tolerate different things, and you may find that some of the above food categories don't have to be avoided altogether. This diet does take time and commitment, as results won't come overnight. They will indeed come over months however, and hopefully will bring health and improved quality of life.
I hope that the recipes shared on this blog will help to make the path to health a little easier, and a little more tasty.
For more information on the ACD, and for approved food lists, please visit the WholeApproach website.
