What is Candida?
Candida Albicans is a yeast infestation, called a fungus. We all have intestinal candida and when everything is in balance candida helps maintain our immune system by controlling unfriendly organisms. But if the body's balance is upset candida fungi may multiply and promote the development of toxins which can cause a range of unhealthy conditions, like: asthma, bladder infections, energy loss, burning/puffy eyes, fatigue, food cravings, hay fever, heartburn, hyperactivity, insomnia, migraine, mouth infections, rashes, sore throat, thrush and thyroid failure.
Candida Diet
Following a careful diet is one way to reduce the effects of candida. The aim of a candida diet is to avoid foods that "feed" the yeast infestation.
Foods to Avoid on a Candida Diet
These include: sugar of all kinds (eg. brown, white, syrup, molasses, honey, fructose, lactose, maltose, dextrose etc.), ready to eat cereals (except Shredded Wheat and purpose made options like Kashi), white flour or white flour products, cakes, cookies, pasta, cornflour, cows milk, diet drinks, alcoholic beverages, tea, coffee, mushrooms, fermented or pickled foods (eg. vinegar, pickles, chutney, soy sauce), all dry roasted nuts (cashews have a lot of yeast), potato chips, pretzels and junk food, bacon, salt pork and lunch meats and cheese of all kinds.
Foods to Eat Occasionally
These include: fruits in small amounts, raw seeds, dry beans and legumes, millet, brown rice, buckwheat and yellow cornmeal and baked potatoes.
Foods to Eat Regularly
These include: onions and garlic, fresh vegetables (eg. onions, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, turnips, brussel sprouts, kohlrabi), rice cakes, oat cakes, Ryvita (sesame and original only), soy milks, butter, cottage cheese and yogurt, freshly cracked nuts, seeds, water, fruit and herb teas, cold pressed oils, brown rice and brown flours, oats (eg. for porridge), meats (preferably organic or free-range), fresh fish (esp. oily fish) eggs, lentils, peas and beans.These include: eggs, fish, chicken, lamb or veal (organic if possible).
Candida Diet - Extras
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Taking a good quality multi-vitamin may improve your immunity and reduce symptoms. But check with your doctor first.
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For best effects, reduce your intake of antibiotics, birth control pills, prednisone and other steroids.
Recommended Candida Diet Books
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The Candida Control Cookbook - by Gail Burton (Aslan, 3rd Ed 2002, Paperback $10.50)
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Overcoming Candida: The Ultimate Cookery Guide - by Xandria Williams; (Sterling, 2002. Paperback. $9.95)
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