Best And Worst Foods To Eat For Yeast Infections

Yeast infections occur when a yeast-like fungus called candida grows excessively in your body. These infections, also called candidiasis, might cause itching, creamy discharge and rashes, and typically affect your mouth, vagina, urinary tract or stomach. Treatment for yeast infections might involve anti-fungal creams, medications and/or alternative medicine techniques, such as herbal remedies and dietary changes. While dietary measures aren't known to cure yeast infections, they might help reduce the frequency or severity of your symptoms.

Dairy Products

Dairy products might help reduce or worsen yeast infection symptoms. According to research published in the "Journal of Dental Research" in Feb. 2007, healthy bacteria known as probiotics, prevalent in cultured dairy products, might inhibit candida growth. During the study, 276 elderly adults consumed 50 grams of probiotic-containing or probiotic-free cheese for 16 weeks. Researchers found a 32 percent reduction in oral yeast content in the group that consumed probiotics and increased yeast production in the group that did not. Valuable sources of probiotics include yogurt with "live active cultures" and kefir -- a yogurt-like beverage. On the other hand, some natural health care practitioners promote eliminating dairy products to lessen yeast infection symptoms. If you suspect lactose intolerance or a milk allergy, discuss proper testing with your doctor. Fortunately, the healthy bacteria present in yogurt and kefir often ease digestion in people with lactose intolerance.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables provide rich amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants -- nutrients that provide potent infection- and disease-fighting benefits. The antioxidant vitamin C might help reduce inflammation associated with candidiasis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Valuable sources of vitamin C include red and green bell peppers, citrus fruits, berries, cantaloupe, kiwi, leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and winter squash. Consume whole, colorful fruits and vegetables over sugar-laden canned and dried fruit, which might worsen your symptoms. Garlic, an anti-fungal food, might also help fight candida.

Grains

Grains supply glucose -- your body's primary energy source. Grain products vary significantly in nutrient, fiber and protein content. Refined grains, such as white flour, might contribute to yeast infections, according to the authors of "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide." Healthier options include whole grains, which contain all nutritious components of the original plant. For improved wellness and, potentially, fewer yeast-related health problems, consume 100 percent whole grain breads, pasta and cold cereals, steel-cut or old fashioned oatmeal, brown rice, wild rice, air-popped popcorn, pearled barley and quinoa in place of enriched foods. If baker's yeast worsens your symptoms, limit your bread consumption to yeast-free varieties only.

Meat and Fish

Meat and fish supply rich amounts of protein and important nutrients, such as iron, zinc and B-vitamins. While lean meats, such as skinless white-meat poultry, fit well within a nutritious diet, processed, red and fried variations are high in saturated fat and might increase your risk for yeast infections, according to "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide." Fried fish is also high in saturated fat. Cold-water fish, such as salmon, tuna, herring, lake trout, flounder, mackerel, halibut and sardines, provide omega-3 fatty acids -- healthy fats that might reduce inflammation linked with candida overgrowth. For best results, incorporate lean meats and fish, emphasizing cold-water varieties, into healthy, balanced meals on a routine basis.