What Yeasty Foods To Avoid

Yeast, also known as Candida albicans, is a fungi that typically occurs in parts of the body that contain moisture, such as the mouth, digestive tract, urinary tract and vagina, according to the the Yeast Diet website. Most of the time, the bacteria in your body controls the growth of yeast, but when something such as antibiotics or a food allergy disrupts the balance between yeast and bacteria, then it can cause an overgrowth of yeast. Large amounts of yeast in the body can cause diarrhea, headaches, fatigue and infections. Avoiding foods that contain yeast can help you ward off potential yeast infections.

Breads and Baked Goods

Many types of breads and baked goods contain yeast, according to the Allergy Details website. Yeast causes a carbon dioxide reaction in the dough that allows it to rise. Breads and baked goods also can contain sugar, a food source that encourages Candida yeast growth. If you are allergic to yeast, avoid bagels, pretzels, rolls, pizza crust, doughnuts and cakes. Replace yeasty breads and baked goods with yeast-free specialty breads, tortillas and pita breads. Yeast-free foods can often be found at most health food grocery stores. If you are trying to eliminate yeast from your diet, check the ingredients before consuming any breads or baked goods.

Alcoholic Beverages

Many alcoholic beverages contain brewer's yeast. According to the University of Hawaii at Manoa Botany, alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine need brewer's yeast to convert carbohydrates into ethyl alcohol, an intoxicating agent. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that brewer's yeast, a one-celled fungus, metabolizes natural sugars and starches in alcoholic beverages and helps maintain normal blood sugar levels. Avoid most alcoholic beverages, if you are trying to eliminate yeast from your diet.

Sugary Fruits

If you are trying to avoid yeast, eliminate fruits that consist of a high concentration of sugar, according to the Yeast Diet website. Yeast thrives on sugar and consuming fruits that contain large amounts of sugar can encourage an overgrowth of yeast. Sugary fruits that contain yeast are grapes, citrus fruits, fruit juices, raisins, dates and dried fruits.

Moldy Foods

If you are on a yeast-free diet, stay away from foods that contain mold, such as cheese, mushrooms and peanuts, according to the Yeast Diet. Yeast and mold are fungi that belong to the same family of micro-organisms, so foods that contain mold also contain yeast. According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, other moldy foods that contain yeast are dried, smoked or pickled meats, cured bacon, soy sauce, malt, pre-packaged herbal teas and canned tomatoes.