The symptoms of Candidiasis are usually similar to many other ailments and hence, not normally diagnosed properly. But it is a disease which needs to be taken seriously, and considering its prevalence, treated on a war footing. Candida overgrowth is caused by a lot of factors both internal and external such as genetic traits, intake of antibiotics, steroids, and other immunosuppressive drugs, debilitating diseases like diabetes mellitus, HIV, Lyme disease, cancer, etc. Food forms as important aspect of the treatment of Candida. There are certain foods to eat on a Candida cleanse diet, which could help you fight the condition.
Following is a
list of foods you should include and exclude while on a
Candida cleanse diet:
·
Meats:
Meat (especially red meat) contains uric acids, steroids
and hard-to-digest protein that cause lots of digestion
problems. It can also contain antibiotics and harmful
hormones that can contribute to a disruption of hormonal
balance. If
you can, eliminate meat completely from your Candida
Diet and/or replace it with fish (preferably oily
fishes). If you feel you have to consume meat, go for
organic meat and consume it in small portions. Processed
meats such as ham, sausages, bacon, hot dogs, and
luncheon meats are not allowed.
·
Grains:
Brown rice, barley, buckwheat, millets, oats, rye,
quinoa, corn, home-made breads using whole grain flours
with soda or baking powder for leavening and other non
gluten grains are good for you.
·
Processed
foods:
Pasta, pizza, cereals, baked goods etc. should be
eliminated from Candida Cleanse
Diet.
·
Beans
and legumes:
Should be avoided for one month, after which they may be
taken in small quantities. Fermented soy products are
not allowed. Pulses and beans must be soaked and
sprouted before eating.
·
Dairy:
Dairy products, especially cow’s milk products, should
be avoided also because they trigger allergic reactions,
create heavy mucus and take longer to digest. Frequent
allergies and digestive problems are considered to be
among the main yeast infection contributing factors.
Organic goat’s and sheep’s milk products are the best
alternatives to dairy products made of cow’s
milk.
·
Oils:
Cold-pressed such as olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil,
lard, chicken fat, tallow, fish oils etc have proved to
be effective.
·
Vegetables:
All fresh vegetables except mushrooms are good for you.
Avoid potatoes or eat only small quantities once a
week.
·
Fruits:
Avoid fruits for two weeks. Then add apples, all berries
(avoid the moldy ones), lemons and limes, grapefruit,
and coconut. Eat all fruits separately; do not mix with
other foods.
·
Nuts
and seeds:
Almonds, Brazil nuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia
nuts, pecans, walnuts, sesame and pumpkin seeds are a
good option.
·
Condiments:
Apple cider vinegar, fresh herbs, sea salt, pepper and
garlic may be considered for
condiments.
·
Drinks
and beverages:
Filtered, unsweetened water, mineral water, herbal teas
(not in bags) can provide relief. Fresh vegetable juices
and vegetable broth are also
allowed.
The
Candida cleanse diet must be high in proteins, good
fats, very low in carbohydrates, and moderate amounts of
complex carbohydrates. Food must be chewed properly as
undigested food leads to worsening of
symptoms.
Now you know the foods to eat on a candida cleanse diet, but you must understand that it is only a part of a larger holistic treatment plan that you must follow to completely rid yourself of candida. The main purpose of the Candida cleanse diet is to starve the yeast and help in re-establishing beneficial flora. However, antifungals also need to be taken to kill the yeast. One without the other does not produce positive results and is not of much use. Both must be done over a long period of time and preferably made into a habit. A holistic therapy practitioner will help in changing unhealthy lifestyle, inculcating good dietary habits, restoring emotional balance and generally bring about permanent cure safely and effectively.
