Toddlers’ immature immune systems make them susceptible to yeast infections. Often, the infection will become apparent through a fever, pain, discharge from the vagina or sores in the mouth. Thrush, an oral yeast infection, or vaginal yeast infections are caused by the overgrowth of a bacteria called candida. No food or beverage, including almond milk, causes a yeast infection, but certain products can aggravate yeast overgrowth. Almond milk is usually recommended as a safe food for people who suffer from chronic yeast infections, including toddlers.
Who Is At Risk
Toddlers can frequently develop yeast infections because their immune systems have not had time to build up resistance to bacteria. Toddlers who frequently take antibiotics may also be more likely to develop yeast infections because these drugs kill some healthy bacteria that regulate the overgrowth of candida. If your toddler is receiving chemotherapy or other drugs to suppress her immune system, she may also be more vulnerable to yeast infections.
Diet
Candida is a bacteria found naturally in the body. When you have too much of this bacteria, you end up with a yeast infection. Candida feeds on sugary foods, so a diet high in natural or added sugars can make your toddler more susceptible to candida overgrowth. Cereals, grains, fruits, starchy vegetables, sweets and cow’s milk can exacerbate the growth of candida. As a result, doctors may recommend you treat toddlers’ chronic yeast infections with a low-sugar diet that is free of cow’s milk. Almond milk is often recommended as a lower sugar alternative to cow’s milk.
Sugar
Sweetened versions of almond milk contain evaporated cane syrup or other sugars. While the sweetened almond milk is not causing the infection, the sugar in it promotes candida survival and growth. Unsweetened versions of almond milk contain zero grams of sugar per cup, making it a sugar-free alternative to cow's milk; cow's milk can feed candida with the naturally occurring sugar known as lactose.
Considerations
Vaginal and oral yeast infections are common in toddlers and usually not an indication of a serious condition. Consult your doctor for additional treatment options and dietary adjustments for your toddler, however, to make sure no underlying cause for the infection exists. Switching from cow’s milk to unsweetened almond milk will not be enough to cure chronic yeast infections.
