Candida albicans is a fungus that is found naturally inside the intestinal tract of all people. It remains problem-free until something triggers its normal balance. Stress can weaken the immune system of a person and allows Candida yeast to proliferate out of control. Taking too much antibiotics can kill good bacteria inside the digestive system. Without the presence of these bacteria that feed on Candida, the latter multiplies rapidly to the point of being harmful to its host.
Researchers have also observed that certain foods can contribute to the prevalence of Candida infections. These are described below.
Sugar-containing foods – All yeasts feed on sugar since it is easy to metabolize. In digesting it, they create by-product toxins such as ethanol and acetaldehyde. Consumption of sugar as well as foods that contain high levels of it encourages the growth of Candida organisms. Avoid foods that contain glucose, maltose, and sucrose. Examples of these are honey and maple syrup.
Dried and processed foods – Since these are no longer on their natural state, they take a long time to be digested inside the body. Friendly bacteria act as agents in breaking them down. However, large quantities of these foods can deplete the intestinal tract of good bacteria and this triggers the proliferation of Candida. Avoid bottled, canned, and pre-packaged food and eat only those that are natural.
Yeast products – These are foods that are manufactured by means of healthy yeast. These cause no harm in people with normal intestinal flora. However, anyone who is suffering from Candida infections should avoid them because they are difficult to digest due to the metabolic immune reaction. Alcoholic beverages, milk products, cheese, bread, vinegar, soy sauce, mushrooms, malted drinks, and packaged fruit juices should not be consumed.
In order to inhibit the growth of Candida yeast, one should eat the foods that are described below.
Vegetables – Green and leafy vegetables such as cabbage, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, celery, Brussels’ sprouts, and cauliflower are recommended. Other vegetables are raw garlic, cucumber, onions, turnips, eggplant, okra, and tomatoes. However, starchy vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, yam, corn, beets, peas, and beans should be avoided because they contain sugar.
Live yogurt cultures – Food supplements that contain beneficial bacteria can help reduce Candida populations inside the intestinal tract. Look for health drinks that consist of good bacteria strains such as Lactobacilli and Acidophilus.
Protein-rich food – Foods that are almost completely free from sugar are the ones that are high in protein. Choose fresh and organic meats such as beef and chicken. Also include fish, eggs, peanuts, and pistachios in your anti-Candida diet. However, avoid processed meat such as bacon, hotdogs, and ham because they contain nitrates, sulfates, and sugar.
Gluten-free grains – Look for grains that do not have the presence of gluten. Rice flour along with bean flours such as flour derived from chickpeas, lentils, and several other bean flours can be used . These are brown rice, oats, made of both. If you want to eat bread, try those that have millet as their ingredient. Oats also have gluten but for some reason this gluten often does not bother people with Candida or gluten intolerance. Avoid wheat, rye and barley, and all derivatives of these grains. They are grains that are consumed by Candida yeast for their metabolism. A typical Candida-prevention diet actually contains very few ingredients. It is composed of 6 to 8 ounces of meat, 6 to 8 ounces of vegetables, and 2 to 3 ounces of carbohydrates. Below is just one example of such menu.
Ground beef with green beans – Ground beef is cooked and mixed with steamed green beans.
Egg omelet with peppers – Sliced pepper is added to scrambled eggs and fried.
Brown rice with oil and herbs – Herbs and spices are added to brown rice and cooked.
Oat and banana dessert – Oats are boiled and added to mashed bananas and cinnamon.
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