This is a question that many people suffering with Candida overgrowth ask. If you’ve spent any time researching a Candida Diet then you have no doubt found information that often adds to the confusion of how strict a Candida Diet needs to be.
When you look at a Candida diet with some logic and common sense, you will find that the process to eliminate Candida overgrowth isn’t as scary or confusing as some would have you believe. One thing that is important to keep in mind is that Candida diet recommendations are general guidelines to follow, in that everyone is different and some people may have success still eating certain foods while other people wont have relief unless their diets are extremely strict.
The Start of a Candida Diet
It is generally accepted that the first month to two months of a Candida diet should be pretty strict. This means that along with sugary and white flour foods, starches and sugary fruits should also be eliminated. Your diet should be full of low starch vegetables and organic meats or plant proteins. Also prebiotic foods and probiotics (except those that contain vinegar) should also make up a good portion of the diet.
Candida Diet Maintenance
At this stage of the Candida diet people are usually feeling pretty good. They’ve been trough the die off symptoms, their immune systems are in good health and the candidiasis symptoms are generally gone. At this stage it’s important to find a balance and a diet that can become a lifestyle. Quite frankly people who try to adhere to the strict Candida diet in stage one often fail because that type of diet is just too unrealistic to maintain for the long term.
This is when the dieter can begin introducing back in the “gray area” foods such as high sugar fruits and vegetables along with starchy vegetables. It’s wise to gradually add these foods and be very aware of how your body is reacting. If candidiasis symptoms begin to return eliminate the food(s) that caused this. Also foods in the “gray area” should always be consumed in moderation.
If the dieter can establish a Candida diet that is doable for the long term then success is likely to continue for the long term.
See Also
Our mini reviews of 9 Candida albicans diet programs to find the one that’s right for you and will guide you through the various stages of the candida diet. It’s important to find one that can become a healthy eating lifestyle and not just a fad.
Conclusions
Despite what some people would want you to believe a Candida diet isn’t an exact science and what works for some doesn’t work for others. However, people who experience long term success have discovered what type of diet works best for them and it’s usually one that after the initial strict phase has long term, realistic food choices that fit in with their lifestyle and body chemistry.
A Candida diet doesn’t have to be bland and boring, but can be full of healthy foods you’ll love.
July 10th, 2011 at 13:46
i have a question,, i am thinking of taking “candida clear” and it has rice flour in it and i was wondering if that is ok?? thanks for any information,,,
July 12th, 2011 at 15:02
Hi Sue, I always tell people to avoid those pre-made products.. focus on natural whole foods.
August 10th, 2011 at 03:24
Hi, please help, I have been on the Candida diet for nearly 8 weeks now and am sticking to it religioulsy not to mention the suppliments I have from the dietiction that diagnoised it, however everyone seems to lose weight where as I have yet to lose a pound…I am trying everything and was even recomemmended Lecithin which I now take with everymeal but alas to nothing…I am getting scared to eat because I need to lose weight but I also know I need to clear this up? I am not over eating on portions but I am getting very down from it….any ideas? thank you
August 10th, 2011 at 12:13
Hi Sarah, Have been to the doctor to have your thyroid function checked? Other than that, it’s usually a matter of calories. Figure out how many calories you should be eating to lose weight based on your activity level. There’s a great calculator here. http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm
November 18th, 2011 at 13:56
Hi. I have been on a strict Candida diet for 6 weeks now. I was diagnosed with candida 12 months ago and the doctor gave me Fluconasole and Nilstat but didnt mention I needed to avoid certain foods. I have it al over my tongue and suspect my throat as it is always sore and was having abdominal pains as well as a constant headache and constant lethargy. I started the diet about 6 weeks ago and have followed it to a T! My symptoms are not getting any better and I have seen a number of Doctors and they really dont seem to know much about Candida? How long will I be on the strict diet before I start seeing it clear up from my tongue and before I start feeling any improvement? Also, a lot of recipes reccomend Agave netar as a sweetener but it is full of sugar? After 6 weeks without anything swet at all I am wrecking my head in anticipation of something sweet! Any suggestions?
November 19th, 2011 at 13:48
Hi Craig, what supplements are you taking and which diet are you following?
November 21st, 2011 at 16:12
I am taking Entrapro LoAlag pro biotics, 15g per day. I have basically been making my own diet as many foods on the candida diets seem to make my candida worse. I have been surviving on Meat, chicken, Brocoli, Zuchini, cabbage, avocado, garlic, brown rice and eggs. No condiments of any kind, just salt and pepper. I have also been eating organic Chickpeas and lentils as well. Al that for about 7 weeks now and the only improvement so far is the abdominal pains are gone. How long do you think I will have to stay on this diet until it completely goes away? Or doesnt it go away completely?
But as mentioned, many of the candida sites list recipes that include things like agave nector and carob chock chipsetc, for sweeteners but both are packed full of sugar from what I can see on the nutritional info on the bottle.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:55
Hi Craig, people susceptible to yeast overgrowth usually have to stay on a somewhat restrictive diet for the rest of their lives to remain yeast free. The most effective programs don’t recommend the use of any sugar based sweetener at least for the first two months.
December 4th, 2011 at 17:18
I have been on the candida diet for nine months. After about 3 and half months. My test were sent to the labs and found the candida was gone but my gluten was way up. so I did the gluten free diet only. Now the symptoms of candida came back. The symptoms are horrible because I have vaginal and rectal itching and burning. Could I have something else?
December 6th, 2011 at 13:19
Hi Sandy, It depends on what your gluten free diet consisted of.. another possibility could be gardnerella. http://www.candidafood.com/do-i-have-gardnerella-or-candidiasis/
December 15th, 2011 at 09:30
Hi, i was strict for almost 3 months and felt amazing. I am now on maintenance but worried about the holidays as it takes only a drop of sugar for the insomnia and lethargy to return. How do you feel about using xylitol as a sweetener in cooking? I currently use a bit of stevia now and the but im hosting xmas and NY. Would maple or agave be better alternatives? Also which flour would. E better, buchwheat or quinoa? Please help. Thanks
December 15th, 2011 at 12:39
Hi Sheila. Xylitol (I’ve never baked with it) and stevia are good. As for flour quinoa is good as well as almond. Maple and Agave are pretty much just like regular sugar as far as yeast are concerned.