What is Candida?
It is a type of yeast that is present in the human body naturally. It is found in the mouth, skin, rectum, vagina, digestive tract, nails, and other parts of the body. Usually our gut is filled with a perfectly balanced proportion of healthy bacteria and the fungus called candida albicans. When stressful situations for the body upset this balance, it may cause candida overgrowth. Increased proportions of this fungus can cause a release of toxic metabolites that our body is not able to process correctly and that may lead to unpleasant physical symptoms.
How do I know that I have a Candida infection?
In the gut: Overgrowth of fungal organisms in the small intestine can show up as belching, bloating, nausea, diarrhoea and gas.
In the vagina: A candida infection can show up as increased curdy white vaginal discharge with lots of itching.
Generalized symptoms may include fatigue, joint pain, and low moods. Not just the gut or vagina, but Candida can also infect hair, skin and nails causing superficial infections.
Who is likely to benefit from this diet?
Any individual experiencing these symptoms frequently is likely to benefit from this diet.
Persons at risk for repeated infections include those taking an extended course of antibiotics , those having a compromised immunity, or conditions such as pregnancy and diabetes. Chronic stress can also lead to increased infections.
About Candida Diet and how it works
Candida diet is a strict diet that helps in keeping Candidiasis in control and aids in eliminating the risk factors. It makes for a healthful diet, but researchers have not confirmed its effectiveness in absolute clearance of the infection.
It requires people to completely avoid food and drinks that are high on gluten, starch, sugar, alcoholic content, and pure dairy base. And it encourages consumption of lean proteins, healthy fats, probiotics, and starch-free vegetables. The key benefit of these foods is to help in reducing inflammation and maintaining a healthy bacterial ratio in the gut.
Foods that work
People who intend to follow the Candida diet, must try including the following in their daily diet:
- Non-starchy veggies: Such as tomatoes, onions, broccoli, beans, bamboo shoots
- Lean proteins: The best source for which is fish, eggs and chicken
- Good fats: These are present in nuts, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, extra virgin olive oil, avocados, edible seeds
- Gluten-free: Complex carbs like brown rice, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, oats
- Low-sugar fruits: Such as berries, citrus fruits, dragon fruit
- Healthy dairy: Such as ghee, butter, and natural yogurt
- Non-caffeine beverages: Such as green tea, lemon tea, herbal tea, coconut milk, almond milk
Foods that don’t work and need to be avoided
For those who are following Candida diet, eliminating the following foods is crucial:
- Sugar: One must eliminate sugar in all forms, natural and processed like bananas, mangoes, packaged food, desserts
- Simple carbohydrates: Such as white rice, chips, pasta, noodles
- Fermented and yeast based: Such as alcohol, vinegar, soy sauce, bread, cheese
- Fungal based: Such as mushrooms
- Junk food: Such as pizzas, burgers, deep fried, high calories, high sugar
- Starchy vegetables: Such as potatoes, corn, peas
Here are some breakfast, lunch and dinner combinations that you can easily include in your Candida diet:
Breakfast:
- Smoothies made with non-dairy milk, natural butter, low sugar fruits and green veggies
- Eggs in different combinations with different veggies and homemade sauces
- Yogurt parfait with natural and plain yogurt, berries, and healthy nuts
Lunch:
- Chef Salad with eggs, tomatoes, chicken, olive-oil dressing, pepper and salsa sauce
- Chicken in your favorite style curry
- Millet porridge/roti with stir fried veggies
- Brown rice or quinoa with steamed fish or curry
Dinner:
- Broccoli soup with steamed and locally sourced fresh fish
- Roasted chicken with green salad
- Curry chicken with quinoa/ brown rice/ millet rotis and steamed veggies
- Egg salad with vegetable omelet
Benefits of Candida Die
1. Improved Gut Health
You will benefit from a better digestive experience and a change in your excretion patterns. You will no longer feel bloated.
2. Mood-uplifter
A switch to this diet may work wonders for your physical as well as mental health. A moderate balance of these foods can help with fatigue, and leave you feeling more energetic.
3. Controls the infection
Just like the name suggests, the key function of this diet is to regularize the yeast infection and keep it in control. Candida diet is a source of natural goodness and probiotics that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
Before starting your diet please remember
- Some Candida infections will require antibiotics. Please be sure to get any infections checked by a doctor.
- Please refrain from starting crash diets and completely eliminating any vital food groups as this may cause vitamin deficiencies.
- If any factor has repeatedly caused you to develop candida infections, please discuss it with your doctor.
Although the effectiveness of the Candida diet is still not sufficiently backed, it could significantly help in stabilizing blood sugars and improving glucose control in the body. Thus, it can have a positive impact on those whose infections have been precipitated as a result of poor sugar control such as diabetics or obese persons.
Disclaimer: This information is educational and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any dietary changes or adding supplements.
Proactive For Her is a digital clinic for women, offering accessible, personalised, and confidential healthcare solutions. We offer out-patient care, diagnostic services and programs for various health concerns of Indian women, across their lifetime - from puberty to pregnancy to menopause.