Yeast Free Foods

Yeast free foods play a major role in controlling the candida yeast and prevention of harmful yeast overgrowth. While a certain amount of yeast is beneficial for our body, helping it in digestion, an overproduction of the candida yeast can lead to a yeast infection also known as candidiasis. There are many things that contribute to candidiasis such as stress, birth control pills, antibiotics, chemotherapy and a diet containing excessive sugar. This results in the production of toxins such as acetaldehyde, zymosan, arabinitol, gliotoxin, alcohol, etc. which can cause multiple health problems. These include bloating, oral thrush and ulcers, migraine headaches, hypoglycemia and mood swings. One way of controlling this, is to follow a yeast free diet and avoid the foods that contain yeast. This can be done till the symptoms have subsided and later, the foods containing yeast can be reintroduced again in the diet. Usually a period of 3 months is recommended before any reintroduction of food groups containing yeast.

List of Yeast Free Foods

Meat
All fresh meat is yeast free (Meat which is spoiled will have a certain amount of yeast in it).

• Eggs
• Beef
• Chicken
• Seafood
• Turkey
• Pork
• Lamb
• Duck
• Pheasant
• Goose
• Veal

Vegetables
All vegetables are yeast free and as long as they are firm and not discolored ,it is safe to include them in the yeast free foods list. Rich in fiber, these vegetables also help the digestive system work smoothly.

• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Leaf Vegetables (Lettuce, Kale, Collards, Mustard, Greens, Swiss Chard)
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Eggplant
• Green Beans
• Turnip
• Onions
• Peas
• Radishes
• Squash
• Tomatoes

Whole Grain Products
Whole grains are extremely healthy as it is and the following have the added advantage of being yeast-free as well.

• Oatmeal
• Pasta
• Brown Rice

Nuts and Seeds
All raw nuts and seeds are allowed, other than peanuts and pistachios.

Beverages
Sugar is one of the worst culprits for yeast infections. So try replacing the sugary sodas or the sweet fruit juices, with iced green or decaffeinated tea.

• Water
• Vegetable juices
• Coffee
• Tea (Preferably Decaf)

Foods to Avoid

For people suffering from yeast infection, there are many foods that they should ideally avoid. Fermented and dairy foods are a strict no-no in this category. Sugar contained in chocolate and soft drinks and baked products (bread, rolls, cakes, cookies) should be avoided. Other foods to remove from the diet are the starch containing potatoes and corn, vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles and alcohol. It is also important to stay away from foods like cheese, dried or cured meats, mushrooms and peanuts, so as not to aggravate the condition.

When you follow the candida albicans diet, there would be certain side effects such as irritability, muscle weakness and fatigue for the initial days. However, in the long term the allergic reaction would subside and the consumption of yeast free foods will help relieve bowel diseases, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic ear infections, asthma and attention deficit disorder, by reducing the candida yeast levels in the body. However before you can go ahead with the plan, it is best to consult a doctor to understands the benefits of such a diet. In addition, there are tons of yeast free recipes that you can use for cooking up the daily meals. Just remember to plan your meals in advance and remember that this diet is not a life sentence. It is just a matter of using this detoxifying diet to keep the yeast growth in control. A few weeks of strict dieting is all you need to get rid of the yeast infection.