Candida Diet Program

What Is Candida?

Candida is a type of fungus that resides in your body’s microbiome which includes the intestinal tract, genitals, skin and mucosa. There are many strains of candida, but the most common is candida albicans.

Candida is nothing new and its something you don't necessarily have to fear. Every living person has multiple strains of candida at all times. Candida becomes a problem when it overgrows, blocking other beneficial microbes. When this occurs, it disrupts the balance of beneficial bacteria, fungus, and yeasts in your gut microbiota, resulting in health issues, symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

What Causes Candida Overgrowth?:

1. Chronic stress[5]
2. A weak immune system
3. Use of the birth control pill
4. Overconsumption of sugar and starches
5. Surgery and time spent in an intensive care unit
6. Overconsumption of alcohol
7. Steroid use
8. Diabetes
9. Antibiotic use

Increase these foods:

1. Healthy fats and oils such as avocados and or coconut oil
2. Vegetables
3. Gluten free grains
4. Fermented foods

Eliminate these foods:

1. Gluten
2. Coffee
3. Sugar
4. Alcohol

Maintain candida balance:

1. Sleep
2. Probiotics
3. Low stress
4. Nurture immune system

Foods to Avoid.
These are sugars and Artificial Sweeteners which is "candida's" preferred source of fuel.
In fact, artificial sweeteners often contain harmful chemicals or allergens and are linked to many health issues including diabetes, weight gain and heart disease:

1. Tapioca syrup
2. Rapadura sugar
3. Brown sugar
4. Cane sugar
5. Brown rice syrup
6. Coconut sugar
7. Date sugar
8. Muscovado sugar
9. Honey unless raw or otherwise but not when it comes to candida
10. Maple sugar
11. Maple syrup
12. Barley malt
13. Molasses
14. Sugar-containing foods including sauces, beverages, etc.
15. Palm syrup
16. White sugar
17. Turbinado sugar
18. Panela sugar
19. Sucanat

Gluten and Gluten Containing Grains To Aviod:

1. Teff
2. Bulgur
3. Triticale
4. Einkorn
5. Durum
6. Oats unless they’re gluten free
7. White and whole wheat
8. Kamut
9. Rye
10. Barley
11. Spelt
12. Semolina

Gluten Free Grains that Don't Feed Candida:

1. Buckwheat (whole grain and flour)
2. Almond meal (though not a grain, I am listing it here as it is a great grain alternative for breading, baking, etc.)
3. Tapioca flour
4. Quinoa (whole grain and flour)
5. Coconut flour
6. Amaranth (whole grain and flour)
7. Millet (whole grain and flour)
8. Amaranth (whole grain and flour)

Refined Vegetable Oils To Avoid.
These are highly refined, high in pro-inflammatory oils and when consumed in excess it has been shown to irritate the digestive tract and delay healing, leading to more candida overgrowth:

1. Peanut oil
2. Margarine or fake butter spreads
3. Cottonseed oil
4. Canola oil
5. Grapeseed oil
6. Sunflower oil
7. Hydrogenated fats or partially hydrogenated fats
8. Walnut oil
9. Soybean oil
10. Corn oil
11. Safflower oil

Nuts To Avoid that feed candida.
These five are known to contain molds and fungus which can aggravate candida:

1. Pecans
2. Walnuts
3. Peanuts
4. Pistachios
5. Cashews

Dairy and Milk Products.
Most dairy products are allowed as long as it's cultured organic dairy products ideally from pasture raised goats, cows or sheep, because the culturing process naturally reduces the milk sugar, lactose, while adding probiotic value.

Non-dairy milk products are also allowed as long as they are unsweetened. Avoid soy milk and cashew milk:

1. Cultured butter
2. Kefir
3. Yogurt
4. Cultured cheeses
5. Unsweetened hemp milk
6. Unsweetened almond milk
7. Unsweetened coconut milk

Healthy Fats and Oils:

1. Extra virgin olive oil
2. Avocado oil
3. Omega-3 rich oils like fish oil, krill oil, and evening primrose oil
4. Avocados
5. Ghee
6. Coconut oil (which contains anti-fungal properties and has been shown effective against Candida)[18]
7. Butter (preferably organic, pasture-raised butter)

Gut Supporting Super foods.
The following fermented foods will help replenish your microbiome with good bacteria in the form of probiotics and prebiotics:

1. Kimchi
2. Kefir
3. Cultured vegetables
4. Miso
5. Naturally fermented, non-alcoholic beverages
6. Beet kvass
7. auerkraut
8. Kombucha
9. Yogurt

How Long Should You Follow the Candida Diet?

The general recommendation is one month minimum, but it also depends on your symptoms, health history, the condition of the candida overgrowth and how vigilantly you follow the diet. Then slowly reintroduce foods and see how your body reacts. If you start experiencing issues again, go back on the diet for another two to four weeks or consult your healthcare practitioner.

Keep in mind individual results may vary. Also i'am not giving medical advice.

One thing to note, I didn't know about candida untill 2-3 months ago, and interestingly enough i was on that diet, but not 100%, during my weight loss transformation last year and now i would say i'm around 90 - 97% following it.