“It’s not easy but it’s simple” is one of my favorite sayings. I realized today that this is the perfect motto for those on the candida diet. The Candida Diet is the cornerstone of treating a condition known as candidiasis. Candidiasis is a medical condition characterized by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a typically benign type of yeast in the digestive system that sometimes, due to external factors, becomes an opportunistic organism and wreaks havoc in the body by releasing toxins. . Candida albicans is found naturally in all of our bodies and will ideally work in conjunction with “friendly” types of bacteria to create a unique balance in our gut microflora to help keep us healthy. This balance is often disrupted by our modern lifestyles, which include frequent use of antibiotics, birth control, diets high in processed foods and sugar, and stress.
Symptoms of yeast infection include, but are not limited to, chronic yeast infections, chronic bacterial vaginosis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). To treat yeast infection and restore the proper balance of our intestinal microflora, extreme dietary changes are required. The changes are drastic compared to our typical American diet, but in reality they are really simple. The diet eliminates glutinous grains, all forms of sugar, processed foods, fermented foods, fruits, and food additives. These foods and ingredients feed Candida albicans, and by eliminating them, you are actually killing the yeast, restoring the balance of your intestinal microflora, and restoring your health.
You can eat many things in the candida diet, including vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean meats, poultry, and fish. You can also enjoy limited amounts of complex non-glutinous grains, such as brown rice, corn, millet, and teff. Since carbohydrates feed Candida, even these grains contribute to yeast infections. Limiting carbohydrate intake will be important, especially in the first few weeks and perhaps even months of the diet. High starchy vegetables such as potatoes and carrots can also cause problems as they are also high in carbohydrates and should also be eaten with caution. I realize these dietary changes are drastic, but is there really a simpler diet you can think of? Vegetables, meats and small amounts of specific carbohydrates. Simple enough, but definitely not easy. It’s not easy because we’re used to piling up food and consuming whatever we want to eat without regard to what it’s actually doing to us. Many people with yeast problems, myself included, are addicted to carbohydrates and sugar and this is why I think dieting seems so difficult to many of us. If we stick to the diet for a while, the cravings for carbohydrates and sugar will subside and we can then appreciate how simple our new diet truly is.
For more information on living yeast-free on the candida diet, visit Yeast-Free Living.
