Foods that Can Prevent
Vaginal Yeast Infection

Diet plays an important role in Yeast Infection

According to an underlying assumption of holistic medicine, our dietary habits play an important role in keeping our body’s delicate natural inner balance. This assumption becomes especially relevant when dealing with yeast infections. Unlike viral diseases, such as angina or flu, these infections cannot be just caught but triggered by multiple factors, while inner balance disruption is most important of them.

Candida (genus of yeast that responsible for yeast infections in human individuals) naturally resides in the warm moist parts of the body (vagina, mouth and intestines), along with other types of bacteria, including the beneficial gastrointestinal bacterial. The Candida microorganisms contribute to proper digestion and to the absorption of micronutrients, including amino acids, essential fatty acids and glucose, and are vital components of a healthy body. As long as the delicate equilibrium between Candida and the beneficial gastrointestinal bacterial flora exits, Candida will be kept under control. However, under certain conditions Candida can reproduce rapidly shifting from yeast to fungal form, thus triggering yeast infections.

Diet can help control Yeast Infection

Both physicians and paraprofessionals believe that adhering to several dietary principles including the introduction of certain foods to one’s diet and eliminating foods that feed candida (or create the environment that encourages candida overgrowth) can be effective in preventing and reversing yeast infections. The following guidelines, among other dietary and lifestyle principles, can make a positive impact on one’s overall health and well-being, while helping control vaginal yeast infection:

1. Diary products, especially products made of cow’s milk create heavy mucus, provoke allergic reaction, and take longer to digest. This often leads to mucus buildup and digestive problems that manifest themselves as yeast infections. Goat and sheep’s milk products are recommended as alternatives to diary products made of cow’s milk, but should also be taken in moderation.

2. Yeasty foods such as mushrooms, condiments, dried fruits and vinegar can feed candida and contribute to candida overgrowth and thus should be avoided.

3. Foods that contain hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils can stimulate Candida overgrowth as well. As a healthier alternative, replace them with unrefined varieties such as cold pressed canola oil, flaxseed oil, and extra virgin olive oils.

4. Foods that contain refined or simple carbohydrates such as honey, white sugar, white rice, leavened breads, pastries, bottled juices, rolls, pizza etc. contribute to creating environment in which Candida thrives. Avoid honey, refined sugar, white rice and white flour products. Recommended alternatives are whole-grain baked goods, which are yeast free and made of non-gluten grains such as buckwheat, quinoa and amaranth. Stevia can replace sugar.

5. Alcohol stimulates candida growth so avoid wine, beer (also contains yeast) and hard alcoholic drinks.

So what foods can prevent vaginal yeast infection? Keep in mind that while the above dietary principals can be highly beneficial for controlling vaginal yeast infection, diet is only a small part of the puzzle.

The only way to control and prevent vaginal yeast infection is to tackle all internal and external contributing yeast infection factors by following the holistic approach, which is based on taking specific herbal and vitamin supplements while following a complete set of dietary principals, detoxification, lifestyle changes and Candida control protocols. This approach is aimed at tackling all the underlying conditions that trigger vaginal yeast infection, and as such can cure your medical condition thoroughly and prevent its recurrence, safely and effectively.