Thrush is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast. The fungus Candida albicans gathers in the lining of your mouth or on your skin, and looks white and cheesy. Thrush may be painful and cause cracking or bleeding in your mouth or in the skin at the corners of your mouth. Breastfeeding mothers and their infants are among those commonly afflicted with thrush. Nursing mothers show symptoms on their breasts rather than the mouth. Consult your doctor for prescription medications to fight candida infections such as thrush. Your diet can also play a role in the development of thrush.
Yeast
Thrush is the occurrence of too much yeast in your body, so avoid eating foods that contain yeast while you are infected. Breads, pastries, beer and pasta all contain yeast and may exacerbate your condition. Watch your intake of yeast products while taking antibiotics for unrelated medical conditions to prevent a case of thrush or a vaginal yeast infection. The medication kills not only the bacteria causing your underlying infection, but the beneficial bacteria in your body, which can lead to an overpopulation of yeast.
Sugar
Sugar will encourage candida to flourish within your body. Cut back on sugary sweets and starchy vegetables, including corn, potatoes and beans, to control thrush and other forms of candidiasis infections. Soft drinks and other beverages containing sugar or high fructose corn syrup may also cause your symptoms to worsen. Natural sugars in dairy products may also be problematic for thrush sufferers.
Fiber
Removing yeast, sugar and starchy foods from your diet may make you feel like you are following a very limited diet. Focus on fiber-rich foods to help maintain regularity and to help you get the other essential nutrients you need to stay well. Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes and lean proteins are safe to eat when you have thrush and will not interfere with the healing process.
Probiotics
Probiotics are a type of nutritional supplement that restores the healthy balance of the bacteria in your digestive tract. In a similar fashion, probiotics, can can curb vaginal yeast infections in some women and may improve your symptoms of thrush by counteracting the overgrowth of yeast in your body. MayoClinic.com suggests taking an acidophilus supplement under the direction of your doctor, or eat yogurt containing live cultures -- look for those words or Lactobacillus acidophilus on the label -- as either a treatment method or preventative measure for thrush.
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