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When Can Whole Grains Be Allowed on the Candida Diet?

Candida is a type of yeast that naturally exists in the human digestive tract. At normal levels, candida is relatively harmless. Certain factors, however, such as taking antibiotics and eating a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates, can cause the yeast to become overgrown and lead to multiple health problems. To keep candida from growing out of control, adopt a diet that does not provide yeast with a food source. This means eliminating sugars and carbohydrates such as whole grains from your diet.

  1. Candida and Carbohydrates

    • Sugar feeds yeast. To keep your candida under control, stop eating sugar as well as foods converted into sugar by the digestive system. This includes starchy foods like pasta, potatoes, and whole grains. Within minutes of eating starchy foods, the carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars such as glucose and fructose. Although it takes the body longer to digest whole grains and convert the starch content into sugar, in the end, whole grains are still turned into simple sugars. Eating whole grains feeds yeast just as much as eating a candy bar.

    Phases of the Candida Diet

    • You do not have to remain on a strict candida diet forever, but you will probably wish to remain on some form of the diet to keep your symptoms under control. Stopping candida growth requires adherence to a strict diet in the beginning. As your symptoms begin to resolve, you can relax your diet guidelines somewhat. It is not uncommon for people to move back and forth between different stages of the candida diet throughout their lives. If you experience a relapse of symptoms, you may find yourself having to start over at the beginning stage of the diet. Relapses can be caused by a number of factors, such as the use of antibiotics, an overindulgence in sweets over the holidays, stress, or illness.

    Beginning Candida Diet

    • For the first two weeks on a candida diet, follow very strict guidelines. Keep your carb intake to about 20 mg per day -- roughly the equivalent of one slice of bread. Your food choices at this point will be very limited. Aim for a diet high in vegetables and protein such as meat and eggs. Whole grains and sweets should be avoided or eaten only in very small amounts.

    Intermediate Candida Diet

    • As your symptoms begin to resolve, you can be somewhat less strict and introduce some foods such as whole grains back into your diet. Bring foods back into your diet slowly and one at a time to make it easier to monitor your symptoms. If you find that whole grains cause a relapse of symptoms, discontinue eating them.

    Advanced Candida Diet

    • Once your symptoms are under control, begin eating more complex carbohydrates and whole grains. Again, grains should be eaten only occasionally and in very small amounts. Monitor your symptoms or even keep a written record of how certain foods make you feel. Over time, you will develop a personal diet plan that works best for you.

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