An overgrowth of yeast may cause fatigue, digestive distress, recurring vaginal yeast infections, sinus infections, mood swings and stalled weight loss. Candida albicans is a naturally occurring yeast that exists in everyone, but an overgrowth can wreak havoc on your system. This yeast thrives if your immune system is compromised by stress, illness, a poor diet or antibiotics. To keep candida at bay, pay attention to the foods you eat on a daily basis. Including certain foods daily may help keep yeast under control and your immune system healthy. Choose a variety of foods from each category to keep your diet from becoming boring.
What you eat can create an environment that promotes yeast overgrowth. Foods prone to mold that can be harmless when consumed by most people can also prompt yeast overgrowth. These include mushrooms, cheese, peanuts and cashews. Avoid acidic and caffeinated foods — think black coffee and tea. Fermented condiments, particularly vinegar, pickles, miso and alcohol are also off-limits if you have a candida overgrowth. Simple sugars, from white bread and pretzels to cakes and soda, also encourage yeast to grow. In addition, processed meats, dairy and most fruits contain sugars — even natural ones such as lactose and fructose — that feed yeast.
Skip starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn, but eat include plenty of green options. Leafy greens — including spinach and kale — lettuce, cucumber, celery, broccoli and asparagus contain fiber to scrub your system and have minimal sugars to feed yeast. Certain fruits, such as avocados, berries and olives, contain minimal fructose to promote yeast growth. Olives and avocados provide essential fatty acids, while moderate servings of berries can satisfy a sweet tooth. Season salads and avocado with lemon juice, which has little fructose to foster yeast growth.
A high-protein diet with limited carbohydrates starves a yeast overgrowth. Eat plain chicken breast, turkey, pork, grass-fed beef or wild fish daily. Avoid sauces or marinades, which often contain sugar-containing ingredients. Some plain dairy products, including kefir and butter, that don’t include added sugar are other good daily foods to promote healthy digestion and good bacteria that fight yeast overgrowth.