‘Candida’ refers to the proliferation in the intestines of the usually healthy bacteria Candida albicans, which may link to various symptoms. These symptoms may include:

    • Persistent digestive disorders such as indigestion, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, flatulence or diarrhoea
    • Fatigue, depression, poor memory, irritability, headaches, lethargy, tiredness
    • Fungal skin infections e.g. athletes foot
    • Frequent throat and ear infections, nasal congestion, chest infections
    • Vaginal yeast infections/thrush, cystitis, PMS
    • Food sensitivity, allergies.

 

  • This diet is best done for 4 weeks, the first two weeks being the most disciplined. The good thing about this diet is that it encourages eating natural unprocessed foods, and is a good detoxification programme. The problem with the detox part of it is that there may be a release of toxins into the bloodstream, therefore it is important to drink a lot of water and eat soluble fibre (which is present anyway) to help get the toxins out of the body.It is also helpful to take supplements (e.g. zinc, vitamin C), and herbal remedies (e.g. Hydrastis canadensis, Propolis) to aid in reducing the candida overgrowth

Permitted Foods and Drinks

  • Vegetables: especially onion, garlic, green leafy veg, cabbage, broccoli, celery, cucumber, carrots, spinach.
  • Whole grains: millet, buckwheat, quinoa, brown rice, corn, barley, spelt also can have these as pasta.
  • Protein foods: free range organic – chicken, turkey, fish, lamb, beef, eggs.
  • Nuts and nut spreads (except peanuts and peanut butter).
  • Seeds: flaxseeds, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, tahini, psyllium (husk).
  • Fats and oils: cold pressed flaxseed, olive, pumpkin, walnut, sunflower, sesame, butter, coconut.
  • Water: filtered, at least 8 glasses, or herbal tea, vegetable juices preferable diluted.
  • Stevia and xylitol as sweeteners.
  • Plain yoghurt with acidophilus.
  • Sugar free oat, soy or rice milk.
  • After 1 week introduce fruits: apple, pear, pawpaw, pineapple, banana and kiwifruit allowed.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid

  • All sugar (glucose, fructose, lactose) all foods containing sugar and artificial sweeteners.
  • Fruits, dried fruit and dates.
  • Refined foods: white bread, white flour, margarine and foods containing these.
  • Dairy products.
  • Vegetables for 1 week: sweet corn, sweet potato, squash, potato.
  • Alcohol: especially beer and wine.
  • Meats preserved and processed: sausages, salami, polony etc.
  • Fermented foods: such as soy products – tempeh, miso, tofu, soy sauce.
  • Peanuts and peanut butter.
  • Yeast: bread with yeast, marmite, beer.
  • All fruit juices, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, soft drinks.

In order not to feel too limited by this diet it is necessary to find foods that you can enjoy and are ‘allowed’ to eat. I suggest perusing your health food shop, there are a number of healthy and delicious foods that you will discover.