Yeast and mold free diets are often recommended in the treatment of candida. Candida is an overgrowth of the yeast cultures found naturally within your gut. According to the Candida Support website, an overgrowth can cause you to feel tired and suffer abdominal pain, bloating and indigestion. It can also trigger joint pain, sweet cravings, oral and vaginal thrush, urinary infections and depression. Removing yeast and mold from your diet can help to kill off the candida overgrowth, as these are the foods it thrives on.
Foods Containing Yeast
Foods containing yeast should be avoided for the duration of the diet. These include bread products, vinegars, beers, wines and spirits. Yeast is used as a raising agent in cooking and it helps the fermenting process in the production of alcohol. You will also have to avoid bread products such as rolls, pastries, pizza bases, pretzels and cookies.
Foods Containing Mold
Foods fall into the mold food group not because they have mold growing on them, but because of the way they are made. Mushrooms are a fungus, so naturally fall into this food group. The preparation of cheese, preserving of meats and the canning of foods all involve mold at some stage of the production. You should avoid all cheeses, mushrooms, dried, smoked and pickled meats, canned tomatoes and fruits, peanuts, pistachio nuts, malt, soy sauce and pre-packaged teas and herbs while following the diet.
Other Foods to Avoid
When following this diet to treat candida, you should also avoid all sugars and dairy products. Sugars include fruit, fruit juices, dried fruit, grapes, dates, figs, soft drinks, honey and syrups, chocolate, sweets.
Foods to Eat on the Diet
Fresh vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and whole grains form the basis of the foods you should be eating when following this diet. You are also allowed unprocessed nuts and seeds, along with unrefined vegetable oils.
Meal Ideas
Have oat or quinoa porridge for breakfast when following this diet. Instead of the usual sugary toppings try a sprinkle of nuts or seeds. For lunch, try egg-based meals such as omelets filled with fresh ham and peppers, poached egg and tuna steaks, or frittatas made with onion, zucchini and aubergine. Serve these meals with a large side salad. For main meals opt for fresh beef, poultry, pork, cod or salmon. Serve your meat or fish with rice or couscous. Experiment with stir-fried or steamed vegetables to complete your meal.
Timescale
According to the Yeast Diet website, you will feel radical improvements to your health after following the diet strictly for three to six weeks. During this time you should not consume any of the banned foods but you can eat as many of the allowed foods as you like. You should be aware that you may feel tired or suffer flu-like symptoms for the first few days as your body adapts to the changes in your diet.
Maintaining your Health
After completing the initial cleanse, you are free to reintroduce the banned foods into your diet. You may not suffer from a candida overgrowth again, but it is always a possibility as you revert to your old eating habits. To avoid problems in the future, you may want to make subtle changes to your diet such as reducing your overall intake of yeasts, molds and sugars, avoiding processed foods and eating fresh vegetables, meats and fish wherever possible.
