To make a yeast free diet manageable within the confines of daily life, many people report having success if they concentrate on the foods they are allowed to eat, instead of worrying about what they can’t.
Yeast, or Candida Albicans, is sometimes considered to be a major contributor of many states of chronic illness. By eliminating sugar and processed foods, you can help alleviate many symptoms of ill health including insomnia, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, recurrent otitis media (ear infections), asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, ADD, memory loss, bad breath, just to name a few.
Diet restrictions vary, but most doctors suggest initially eliminating all forms of sugar and wheat as well as processed foods that promote yeast growth. After a period of time, (which varies from practitioner and also on the severity of the yeast problem) but is usually at least four to eight weeks minimum, it’s possible to slowly start re-introducing the restricted foods into the diet. Start with fruits that contain small amounts of sugar, such as blueberries. Cantelope is also good.
What is Candida?
Candida, or Candiasis, the yeast infection, gets its name from Candida albicans, which is harmless yeast that live in the mucous linings of our digest tract and other membranes. Normally harmless, the fungus lives in harmony with other microorganisms in the body, but can grow out of control.
What causes yeast infections?
A variety of things can upset the delicate balance inside us, including:
- Antibiotics
- Steroids
- Hormones
- Birth control pills
- Stress
- Sugar
Sugar is one of the biggest problems; Candida albicans thrives on sugars and sweeteners.
If you are trying to follow a yeast-free diet, then you should probably avoid all sweeteners, including dextrose, fructose, maltose, glucose, sorbital, and aspartame as well as other food additives. MSG, malt and many products added to canned and packaged foods will aggravate or promote yeast growth.
What can I do to “survive” on the strict diet?
One of the best parts of a yeast-free diet is that there is no restriction on portion of the foods that are allowed. Planning meals and recipes is important. Eat as much of approved foods as possible! Rice and alternate flours, such as spelt,are used successfully and help eliminate that carb-craving. Fill up on the "good" stuff and you won't miss the "bad".
Foods that are permitted:
- Rice, Rice Flour, Rice Pasta (readily available in most supermarkets)
- Corn Flour (non-wheat flours too, such as potato-most anything without gluten)
- Chicken (Grilled or baked, breaded with alternative flours)
- Beef
- Fish and seafood
- Eggs, quiches
- Cheese (no moldy cheeses)
- Milk (in moderation)
- Oatmeal, Oats
- Plain yogurts (great for making vegetable dips)
- Popcorn
- Soups (homemade is best, avoid msg)
- Potatoes (in moderation)
- Nuts, seeds
- Vegetables, vegetables, vegetables
- Teas
- Water (lots of water!)
Eventually add in low sugar fruits, such as blueberries. You'll be amazed at how sweet they taste!
Just like detoxifying, uncomfortable symptoms can begin a few days into the diet but only last a day or two. They including headache, muscle pains, fatigue and sometimes it might feel as if you have the flu. These are the hardest days of the diet; the yeast inside are SCREAMING to be fed. As they die off, they release gases and that’s what is causing those horrible headaches and other symptoms. Hang tough, by the time these symptoms disappear, you will be feeling fantastic.!
Remember: focusing on what you CAN eat, instead of what you can’t, will make this way of eating a little less painful.
