The Candida diet is the primary course of treatment for a medical condition called candidiasis. Candidiasis is characterized by an overgrowth of Candida albicans in the intestinal system that releases toxins into the body and eventually leads to poor health. The candida diet eliminates certain foods and ingredients thought to worsen the condition. These removed foods feed Candida albicans, encouraging it to grow and multiply. As long as Candida albicans has an abundant food supply, it will continue to wreak havoc on the body. Sugar, processed foods, dairy, preservatives, vinegar, sticky cereals and even fruits are initially banned on the candida diet. With so many foods and ingredients being eliminated many people feel really frustrated trying to find things they can still enjoy eating and drinking while on the diet.
Since all types of sugar are eliminated on the candida diet, it can be difficult to figure out what to drink while on the diet. Many of us are addicted to drinking soda, fruit juice, ice tea and other sugar-laden beverages, and it is often difficult for candida dieters to give it up completely. Additionally, many of us who have tried other diets may be horrified to discover that the “light” varieties of diet soda and juice that we used to rely heavily on are no longer allowed on the candida diet because They contain artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose have been found to feed Candida in the same way as regular sugar and there are other health concerns regarding the use of these sweeteners. Old habits die hard though, so to make this transition a little easier it’s a good idea to identify which beverages are okay to drink while on a candida diet.
Water The best choice is to have a healthy diet, not just a candida diet. The human body is made up of about 70% water. Water is an important component of our organs and tissues and we need proper intake of water to ensure optimum functioning of the body. When we don’t get enough water the body steals it from the organs and tissues and this is when the symptoms of dehydration appear. Symptoms of dehydration may include fatigue, constipation, headache, weakness and nausea. It is also a good idea to keep the body properly hydrated with water when trying to overcome candidiasis as this will help flush out toxins from the body. Most candida diet guidelines recommend not drinking tap water because of the potential toxins, but purchasing a water filtration pitcher like Brita can help reduce toxins in tap water. You can also buy bottled spring or purified water if you prefer. It may seem like drinking water is boring but it doesn’t have to be with options like seltzer and sparkling mineral water. Try adding lemon or lime slices to seltzer or sparkling mineral water and you’ll feel like you’re enjoying a cocktail.
Herbal tea Candida may be an option for some on the diet. Most candida diet guidelines recommend abstaining from both tea and coffee due to the caffeine and possible mold contamination of the tea leaves but many candida dieters have found that they can tolerate herbal teas. Green tea is a great option because it provides antioxidants that protect against free radical damage. Pau d’Arco is another herbal tea made from the bark of a tree indigenous to the rain forest. The tea appears to have some medicinal benefits and has helped many candidiasis sufferers. You can use stevia, a natural plant sweetener that is well tolerated by most people on a candida diet, to sweeten your herbal tea and then serve them hot or cold.
For more information on living yeast free Get on yeast free living by following the Candida Diet.
Source by Tennille Jordan
