Candida Diet Foods - What’s Out

Since the whole purpose of Candida diet is to eliminate Candida pathogens by depriving them of food, foods that have sugar and gluten in them actually do the opposite since they directly promote Candida growth.

So, table sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, agave nectar, coconut sugar are out. Sugary soft drink and chocolates are also not allowed. Similarly, avoid ketchup, mayonnaise, soy sauce and salad dressings since they contain a lot of hidden sugar.

Alcohol is high in sugar and secondly, it impairs the immune system. Avoid spirits, liquors, beer, wine and even cider.

Anything containing gluten – wheat, rye, white bread, and pasta, and also corn and corn products including popcorn – will allow the Candida to thrive and compromise your immune system. Gluten foods and processed foods can raise your blood sugar levels too.

Among vegetables, try to avoid potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, yams and beets, at least till your Candida infection is under control.

Nuts such as cashew, almonds, peanuts and pistachios are best avoided since they contain fungal toxins. For example, an FAO study found that almonds, pistachio, peanuts, cashew nuts, dates and cake contain fungal species of Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium and other fungi. Fungal toxins harm the immune system and a weak immune system helps the Candida to thrive. Lisa Richard however claims ‘It (fungi) can be removed by soaking the nuts in water and fresh lemon juice then air drying them, or putting them in the oven on low heat until crispy’.

Milk is allowed, but the College of Naturopathic Medicine, UK, suggests limiting intake of milk. ‘Please do not drink great quantities of milk during the diet as this has shown to make the Candida more persistent. The same applies to great quantities of calcium supplements (if you take much more than the recommended intake). Candida cannot digest lactose, however’, they say.

Fruits are again a ‘grey area foods’ since some do allow eating apricots, bananas, cherries, grapefruit, mango, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, coconut, custard apples, kiwi fruit, strawberries, blackberries, lychees, and raspberries while others advise against eating any fruits because they contain fructose (a form of sugar). Lemons are however okay-ed by all experts.

Mushrooms and truffles can cause inflammatory reactions. These are best avoided but some mushrooms like Reishi and Maitake have immune boosting properties and can be included in the Candida diet.

Ultimately, how your Candida diet works depends on how strictly you follow the list. It is not possible to stick to this diet forever, so gradually re-introduce foods that you resisted. Make sure sugary foods are the last you reintroduce.