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Candida and Nutrition: Foods to Avoid
October 13, 2023
Candida is a fungus that is responsible for an infection (candidiasis), which usually manifests itself in a mild form with easily treatable symptoms. Candidiasis can be triggered by stress, a decrease in immune defenses, antibiotic therapies or sexual intercourse with infected partners.
It should be noted that since Candida is naturally present in the body, the infection itself is never completely eradicated. Drug treatment only serves to limit the spread of the fungus.
Candida and Nutrition: Which Foods Should You Avoid?
A special diet alone cannot eradicate candidiasis, but it can help limit the growth of the fungal infection. Specifically, it is important to reduce your intake of refined sugar as much as possible, as this is the main food source for the fungus that causes the infection. At the same time, however, the body should not be cut off from its necessary supply of nutrients.
Therefore, the foods that should be avoided the most are: chocolate, sweetened yoghurts, sweets, alcoholic or sweetened drinks, vinegar, foods with a lot of preservatives or smoked, yeast and baked goods (bread, pasta or pizza) and cheese (ripened, hard or with mold). It is also advisable to greatly reduce the consumption of coffee and fatty, fried or very spicy foods.
Candida and Nutrition: Recommended Foods
As far as recommended foods go, whole-grain pasta and rice as well as yeast-free bread can be excellent alternatives to the usual carbohydrates and yeast products. In addition, it is advisable to consume a sufficient amount of vegetables, fish, eggs and lean meat. Unsweetened yogurt, fresh cheeses, barley coffee, garlic and turmeric can be added to these foods.
Garlic and turmeric in particular have antifungal properties and therefore help fight the growth of Candida, as well as the bacteria in unsweetened yogurt.
Such a diet should be followed over a variable period of time (between one and five months).
Cistite and Candida: diet to follow
Candida primarily affects women and is often confused with another common infection in females: cystitis. However, the latter is an inflammation of the bladder lining that has different causes and symptoms. Still, Candida and Cistite require very similar choices when it comes to diet. People suffering from cistite should avoid a diet free of sugar, fat, carbohydrates and alcohol and instead favor fruits, vegetables, legumes, eggs, grains and fish.