What Foods Can I Have While on The Candida Diet?

A candida diet for purging the body of candida overgrowth is very strict. You are starving the candida yeast to reduce its size and reintroduce healthy bacteria to your gut. Candida diets are also referred to as candida cleanses. Essentially you are fighting back the candida overgrowth by eating healthier foods and removing harmful foods from your daily diet. This isn’t like a weight loss program that allows for a cheat day. If you cheat the diet, you’re likely to feed the candida overgrowth, which backfires on the hard work you’ve put into healing your body. Think of it as one step forward, two steps back. Candida albicans mainly live within the gut flora of your body. Candida is a yeast, it grows because there are foods that are feeding it. What does yeast feed on? Mainly sugars! But there are other causes of candida overgrowth which can stimulate an unhealthy lifestyle. The healthy gut ratio of candida albicans is 10-15%. If you discover that the candida growth has expanded to higher than these percentages, your gut needs a purging! That’s when a candida cleanse is necessary and you must stick to the diet to succeed in purging your body from this unhealthy bacteria growth. Candida cleanses are often aided by a natural supplement that can help with the cravings and urges of unhealthy foods like a milkshake and greasy fries. If you are noticing that eating the following foods and avoiding the bad foods isn’t working for you, try our Yeast Redux to strengthen your willpower and reduce candida growth. We also have a candida cleansing program that works in tandem with the Yeast Redux supplement to help you on your journey to recovery.  

Foods to Avoid While on a Candida Cleanse

Yeast

Why: Candida itself is a yeast, a fungus that grows within our bodies. Including yeast in your diet gives candida a chance to latch onto those other yeasts and grow. By reducing your intake of yeast products, you have a higher chance of ridding your body from the unwanted candida overgrowth.  

Gluten and Grains

Why: Gluten is said to damage your intestinal lining. It can cause inflammation for people who have gluten intolerance like celiac disease. But, it may also cause inflammation for those without a gluten intolerance. Glutinous grains are a no-no for this diet. Since candida albicans live within the gut flora, an inflamed gut won’t be able to protect itself from candida overgrowth as properly as it should.  

Sugars

Why: If there is anything that candida thrives on, it’s sugar. Processed and unprocessed sugars, sugar alternatives, supplemental sugars, etc are all risks to candida overgrowing. The candida fungus will eat the sugar and begin growing.  

Alcohol

Why: Alcohol goes through a fermentation process and uses yeast during the fermentation process. For example, wines and beer are both fermented substances and, when broken down, contain sugar. Wine contains both yeast and sugar while beer also contains gluten.  

Starchy Foods

Why: Because starchy foods such as potatoes are high in carbs, they can feed the yeast overgrowth. Starchy foods should be avoided at all times to ensure proper candida die-off.  

Dairy

Why: It’s best to stay away from the majority of dairy products while on a candida cleanse since dairy can be quite inflammatory. Dairy contains galactose which is a simple sugar in dairy products. Lactose-containing dairy products can also cause inflammatory sensations in the gut and are the main sources of galactose.  

Coffee

Why: When excessive amounts of coffee are consumed, coffee can become an irritant to the lining of the gut. You want to refrain from irritating your gut at all costs while you are on a candida cleanse. Both caffeinated and decaf coffee can be filled with molds and acidity.  

Foods You Can Eat While on a Candida Cleanse

Fermented Foods

Why: Some specialists say that fermented foods are healthy to eat in moderation while on a candida diet, such as reintroducing them after a few weeks. The notion behind this is that fermented foods promote gut health. However, while many fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and dairy-free yogurt introduce healthy enzymes and prebiotics into your gut, the fermentation process can also feed “bad” bacteria. So, eat smaller amounts of fermented foods and you can still fight off candida overgrowth.  

Lean Meats

Why: While plants tend to be a better source of proteins, lean meats such as fish and poultry can prevent sugar cravings. Salmon and turkey are healthy meats that contain a high source of protein. Protein in and of itself could be very important for managing food cravings in general. Protein is a dense filler and your body uses this nutrient for enzymes and hormones. Wild-caught fish and pasture-raised poultry are better.  

Eggs

Why: Eggs are a high source of protein and rich in nutrients. They are not inimical to the candida diet. Free-range, pasteurized eggs are by far the best for your body since they don’t come with additional hormones.   

Cruciferous Vegetables and Leafy Greens

Why: Cruciferous vegetables are superfoods. They contain sources of nutrients and minerals that would take a multitude of other foods to consume in order to achieve the same goals. Leafy green vegetables are vegetables with low calories and high sources of vitamins. Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, collard greens, and brussels sprouts are all delicious foods that protect the body against candida overgrowth. They carry beneficial gut bacteria and can be eaten at any point during the candida diet.  

Non-Starchy Foods

Why: As stated above, starchy vegetables are like fuel for the fire. Candida albicans will eat the starches and high carbs, which leads to growth. Eat non-starchy foods that are higher in protein and healthy fats.  

Avocados

Why: Avocados are filled with healthy fats and reduce inflammation in the gut. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are used to lower blood sugar. Avocados are part of the superfood category and are filled with the necessary nutrients our bodies need.  

Ginger

Why: Ginger root is known as an anti-inflammatory food and has been used to stimulate the immune system to protect and fight invasive toxins. By flushing out toxins and unwanted bacteria, like candida overgrowth, it helps the liver perform better and aids with body detoxification.  

Lemon and Lime Juice

Why: Lemon and lime juice produce citric acid, which is a common cleanser for constipation. The citric acid acts as a stimulant to flush out toxins within the digestive tract. Lemon and lime water promote peristalsis, which is the contraction of the muscles in the colon. This contraction process pushes out the toxins within the colon, including candida albicans.  

Some Fruits

Why: Some low-sugar fruits are okay to eat at points in the candida diet. Bananas, mangoes, and pears are some of the high-sugar fruits to avoid. Fruits you can have in moderation on the candida diet are berries. But again, in very low quantities.  

Nuts

Why: Nuts are filled with healthy fats and other nutrients. Almonds are an amazing nut that lowers blood sugar levels and reduces blood pressure. Brazil nuts contain selenium which is a natural chemical found to improve thyroid health and boost the immune system to fight against unwanted bacteria.  

Seeds

Why: Pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds are all healthy snacks to eat while on a candida diet. They are filled with healthy proteins and fats and certain types of seeds help with digestion. Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and also contain antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral properties.  

Coconut and Olive Oils

Why: Coconut oil and olive oil also contain healthy fats and are good for the digestive system. The monounsaturated fats contain anti-inflammatory properties that aid healthy gut flora. Cooking with these oils at their proper temperatures are a healthier alternative to oils such as vegetable, canola, and cottonseed.  

Bone Broth

Why: Bone broth is purely bones boiled in water. It contains collagen which promotes a healthy gut and doesn’t contain sugar. Bone broth has also been used to reduce inflammation and starves candida growth.  

Tea

Why: Teas like pau d’arco are proven antifungal sources containing naphthoquinones to kill bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Other teas that are great for a candida cleanse include peppermint, licorice, and ginger.  

Turmeric

Why: Turmeric is another anti-inflammatory food because it contains curcumin. Curcumin possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties, used for ridding the body of unwanted bacteria and toxins. For some of your meals, shake a little turmeric for a savory flavor and candida reduction.  

Apple Cider Vinegar

Why: Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antifungal benefits. Studies have found that ACV has contributed to fighting off candida growth as candida is a fungus. There are a variety of ways you can add ACV to your daily diet including drinking 1 tablespoon twice per day, adding 1 tablespoon to unsweetened tea, and using it as a salad dressing.