If you are suffering from Candida, it is quite likely that your doctor will prescribe antibiotics as a treatment. Depending on the location of the infection this may come in the form of cream or ointment, oral preparations, pessaries or inhalations. However, it is widely believed that Candida albicans can occur in people who have recently had to take courses of antibiotics for other illnesses, which makes you wonder whether an alternative cure might be more beneficial.
Many people are now opting for a Candida diet in an attempt to eliminate this organism, preferring a natural solution to their problem. However, before starting a Candida diet, it is recommended that you should try and ‘detox’ your body. Food or drinks that should be avoided immediately are alcohol, chocolate and cheese.
Thankfully, there is still a good selection of foods to eat on a Candida cleanse diet. Vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, celery, onions, raw garlic (if you have understanding friends), spinach, tomatoes and others can help starve Candida of the sugar it feeds on. They can also help to absorb fungal poisons and remove them from your body. Whilst most vegetables are of benefit, try to avoid starchy ones like carrots, potatoes, yams, beets, peas, parsnips and beans that are not green.
Plain yoghurts are good, as they contain ‘friendly bacteria’ which can help restore a normal balance in your system. It is an imbalance in your system (where friendly bacteria become outnumbered) that allows Candida to get a foothold and potentially cause damage.
Proteins found in fresh beef, chicken, fish and eggs are fine, but try to avoid processed meat that contains sugar and other chemicals. Nuts and seeds can be included in your cleansing diet, but peanuts and pistachios are better left off the list. Non-glutinous grains contain high amounts of fiber and can help to remove toxins from the body. Other products include herbs and spices, cold pressed oils, seasoning and a number of herbal teas.
An anti Candida diet is basically designed to eliminate all the foodstuffs that contribute to the Candida problem. As we have already mentioned, all foods containing processed sugars should be avoided (cakes, chocolate, jams, sweets, sodas etc.). Processed foods like white flour products (bread and pastas) and white rice are not good, and carbohydrates found in potatoes and chips.
You should definitely avoid fermented products and those that contain yeast (bread, alcohol, soy sauce and vinegar), as Candida is a genus of yeasts. And you should also include fungal products like mushrooms and cheese on this list.
To help with your diet and the cleansing process, don’t forget to drink plenty of water as this helps to detoxify your body. You may wish to start your day with a cup of hot water (it is alright to add lemon juice to this if you wish). A salad is fine, especially one using raw salad vegetables like celery, or any of the other vegetables mentioned earlier. Initially, fish and chicken are best, but you can add beef to this once your diet has been running for a few weeks.
To help with your digestion, remember to chew your food well and even try smaller meals than usual. Once the Candida has cleared up, you can return to other foods if you wish, but re-introduce these one at a time so that you can more easily discover if any of these cause you a problem.
