Candida is a group of yeast-like microorganisms that live throughout our bodies.
Most of the time, candida lives in balance with other microorganisms and is harmless. But when our natural flora fails to control candida, an overgrowth can occur - producing a wide range of health effects which can include: fatigue, depression, mood swings, learning and behavioral disorders, carb and alcohol cravings, “brain fog”, memory loss, itching, sinus infections, food intolerance, oral thrush, vaginitis, athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, diaper rash, canker sores, kidney and bladder infections as well as gastrointestinal disturbances including IBS, colitis and GERD.
So how does candida get out of control?
Processed foods that are high in sugar and carbs, antibiotics, antacids and ulcer medications, pregnancy, alcohol consumption, oral contraceptives and steroids, foods containing molds (like cheeses, vinegars, mushrooms, yeast, soy food and others), estrogen mimics (like pesticides and BPA in the food supply), and food allergies and intolerances can all encourage candida to proliferate.
But your diet can also provide powerful defense against candida and help get your system back in balance.
A fungus-fighting diet starves candida by taking away its favorite foods sources – sugar and high glycemic carbs - as well as foods that contain yeast or molds that can encourage candida growth. It’s also important to enjoy an abundance of nature’s fungus fighting foods – including garlic and onions, cruciferous veggies, coconut oil, oregano, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and cloves as well as green tea and pau d’arco tea.
In addition to starving candida, you need to provide your body with the foods it needs to make your friendly flora flourish. These include traditional lacto-fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and kefir and yogurt made with salt and natural fermentation… not pasteurization and vinegar. These traditional foods provide prebiotics and probiotics that feed the healthy bacteria in your gut, helping to crowd out candida and restore your digestive harmony.
Here are the specific criteria for “Candida Recipes” at Healing Gourmet:
- LOW SUGAR: Less than 5 grams of sugar per serving
- LOW CARB: Contains less than 15 grams of carbs per serving
- NO MOLDS: Foods containing molds due to processing or storage, as well as those foods that may produce “crossover reaction” must be avoided. These include :Vinegar, Alcohol, Peanuts, Mushrooms, Dried Fruits, Cheeses, Yeast, Pickled Vegetables
- NO GRAINS
- NO DAIRY
- FUNGUS-FIGHTING FATS: Provides a rich source of any of the following anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal fats:
- EPA/DHA omega-3
- MUFA
- Coconut Oil
- RICH IN CANDIDA-FIGHTING FOODS: Contains any of the following anti-fungal foods: Garlic, Onions, Shallots, Leeks, Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Bok Choy, Oregano, Turmeric, Green Tea, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coconut Oil
When you submit a recipe that meets these criteria, your creation will appear in “Candida Recipes”, helping others enjoy a healthy, delicious and varied candida diet.
To learn more about a fungus-fighting diet and how to create your own personalized candida-diet plan, go here.