Your intestines are home to trillions of microorganisms, including a yeast species called Candida albicans. Alternative-medicine proponents believe candida yeast overgrowth causes sluggishness, fatigue, weight gain, aches, bad breath, gastrointestinal distress and depression. Following a candida cleanse supposedly kills candida yeast, restoring balance to your gut flora. Many sugary foods, including chocolate, are banned on the candida diet. Consult your physician before beginning a candida cleanse.
Diet Features
The candida cleanse significantly reduces your sugar intake to starve candida yeast. Among the foods banned by the diet are sugary drinks, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, high-carbohydrate vegetables, fruits, processed foods, fast food, nuts and aged cheeses. Dieters can eat lean protein, nonstarchy vegetables, plain yogurt with live cultures and whole-grain products. A typical candida cleanse lasts several weeks, although some people continue the diet long term to keep their candida syndrome under control.
Chocolate
Candida cleanse practitioners might not eat chocolate because it often contains high levels of sugar. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Nutrient Data Laboratory, a typical 1.6-oz. milk chocolate bar contains 22.7 g of sugar. Eating sugary chocolate candies might cause candida yeast levels to rise because they feed on sugars in the intestinal tract. Thus, dieters should avoid eating chocolate candy for the duration of the cleanse.
Considerations
Although chocolate is forbidden on a candida diet, certain types of chocolate contain no sugar. Using unsweetened chocolate or cocoa powder allows you to follow the candida diet without sacrificing your love of chocolate. These foods are bitter without sugar, so use them in small quantities to flavor sugarless treats. Eating a small amount of chocolate occasionally while following a long-term candida diet plan is unlikely to cause candida overgrowth symptoms. Test your reaction to chocolate with a small piece and note its effects.
Expert Insight
Conventional medicine practitioners reject the diagnosis of candida syndrome, noting that no scientific evidence supports the use of a special candida cleanse to treat medical problems. Mayo Clinic internist Brent Bauer attributes candida cleanse proponents' health claims to their commitment to a healthier diet that is free of white flour, sugar and processed foods. Eating chocolate in moderation is unlikely to have a dramatic impact on your health. Talk to your doctor for more information about the candida cleanse and whether it is appropriate for you.
Member Comments