The candida diet, which many people are considering using to prevent the proliferation of the candida fungus in the body that causes an illness, is not very well known. According to some research, this diet is thought to heal the symptoms of a yeast infection and create a strict eating regimen that forbids certain dairy products, sweets, alcoholic beverages, gluten, and other items that are known to encourage the growth of the candida yeast in the body.
In order to prevent the growth of Candida yeast in the body, people who follow the candida diet limit or eliminate certain foods like gluten, sugar, alcohol, and some dairy products. Additionally, it entails eating foods that reduce inflammation and healthy fats.
More than 150 different species of candida are present throughout your body, and 15 of them have the potential to infect you if they overgrow. Infections can develop when there is an excessive amount of this yeast in the body or on the skin.
What is Candida?
The most prevalent fungus in the human body, Candida, is typically found on the skin and in internal organs such the gut, vagina, rectum, throat, mouth, and toes.
Thought to be safe, candida can overgrow and result in the fungal infection known as candidiasis.
The candida diet limits sugar, carbs, and inflammatory foods. It seeks to strengthen intestinal health and get rid of anything that can support a Candida infection.
What is the Candida Diet and How Does it Work?
People following this diet must abstain from foods and beverages that can raise the possibility of Candida overgrowth. If people avoid foods that promote yeast development, their risk of having Candida infections may decrease. This diet requires eating low-sugar fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and gluten-free foods and restricts or eliminates sugar, gluten, alcohol, certain dairy products, and hazardous chemicals.
The goal of the Candida diet is to lessen inflammation, balance the quantities of bacteria in the stomach, and eventually lower the likelihood of developing Candida. In order to support healthy lifestyle habits and prevent dietary cheating, we need to avoid caffeine and alcohol when using this diet.
What are the Main Symptoms of a Candida Infection?
Candida won’t manifest any symptoms unless it grows excessively as a result of an unbalanced bacterial population. Infection’s primary signs and symptoms include:
- Feeling exhausted, depleted, or having fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue.
- A red rash that itches and burns on the penis in men.
- Vaginal itchiness, soreness, and redness in women; a white discharge from the vagina; and painful or uncomfortable intercourse.
- Focus issues, memory issues, lack of attention, ADD, ADHD, and brain fog.
- Seasonal allergies that are extremely bad, pain, or discomfort.
- Strong cravings for refined carbohydrates and sugar.
- Irritability, mood swings, anxiety or depression.
- Digestive problems such as bloating, diarrhoea, or constipation.
- Skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, hives, blisters and rashes.
- White coat on the tongue, redness or discomfort in the mouth, sore throat, difficulty swallowing or cracking at the corners of the mouth.
- Skin and nail fungal infections which include athlete’s foot or toenail fungus.
- Lumpy white patches.
- Burning sensation.
A 7 Day Sample Menu for a Standard Candida Diet?
The foods on this seven-day sample menu are suitable for the Candida diet. You can change this menu to suit your tastes.
Monday
Breakfast: Yogurt parfait made with plain yogurt, ¼ cup (25 grams) of berries, cinnamon and almonds
Lunch: Thai red curry chicken (try this recipe)
Dinner: Salmon cakes served with steamed broccoli and a cup of bone broth
Tuesday
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with tomatoes and avocado on the side
Lunch: Turkey atop a salad of greens, avocado slices, cabbage, broccoli and an olive oil dressing
Dinner: Stir-fry of quinoa, chicken breast, steamed vegetables and coconut aminos
Wednesday
Breakfast: Smoothie made from plain kefir, a handful of berries, almond butter, coconut and cinnamon
Lunch: Chef salad of hard boiled eggs, turkey, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and an olive-oil-based dressing
Dinner: Chicken fajita bowl made with chicken, peppers, onions, cilantro, avocado and salad greens
Thursday
Breakfast: Omelet made with red peppers, onions, kale and fried eggs
Lunch: Turkey meatballs with a kale salad and millet topped with ghee
Dinner: Wild-caught salmon seasoned with lemon and dill, plus a side of asparagus
Friday
Breakfast: Vegetable omelet made with eggs, shallots, spinach and tomatoes
Lunch: Leftover turkey-and-sage breakfast sausages with a side of sautéed cabbage
Dinner: Coconut curry chicken over quinoa and steamed vegetables
Saturday
Breakfast: Buckwheat breakfast muffins (try this recipe) with chicory coffee
Lunch: Leftover coconut curry chicken over quinoa and steamed vegetables
Dinner: Zucchini noodles topped with chicken, raw garlic, pesto and olive oil
Sunday
Breakfast: Turkey-and-sage breakfast sausages (like these) with a side of Brussels sprouts
Lunch: Lemon-roasted chicken served over salad greens
Dinner: Hamburger patty (no bun), topped with avocado and served with steamed vegetables and sauerkraut
If you’re interested in the Candida Diet, schedule a consultation at the Transform Your Gut Clinic in Stockport, Manchester. Call 07712 620909 or send an email to the clinic at info@transformyourgut.co.uk to make an appointment.
