Anti-Yeast Diets

The yeast-like fungus candida, as well as other potentially harmful substances, resides in everyone. In most instances, these substances exist in small amounts and do not cause any problems. Left unchecked, excess candida can lead to vaginal yeast infections as well as infections in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. It has also been linked to a wide range of health problems such as acne and depression, though this remains a matter of debate. No official diet to prevent yeast has been established like it has for other types of health problems like high cholesterol. You will reap optimal benefit by consulting with a health care professional well-versed in nutritional therapy, such as a naturopathic physician.

Reducing Sugar and Carbohydrates

• The University of Maryland Medical Center says research has shown reducing sugar intake led to fewer yeast infections. Dr. Bruce Semon of the Wisconsin Institute of Nutrition says that laboratory tests have shown yeast feeds primarily off carbohydrates, including sugar, rather than proteins and other sources. This means cutting back on foods and beverages rich in sugar such as sweets, soda and fruit juice. Sugar comes in many forms and if you see any of the following words on an ingredient list, it has added sugar: cane juice, cane syrup, dextrose, maltose, lactose, maltodextrin, fructose, corn syrup and molasses. High-sugar fruits include oranges, bananas, dates, raisins and any type of dried fruit.

  Starchy foods have high amounts of carbohydrates and holistic health counselor and educator Cynthia M. Perkins recommends cutting back on potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, corn, beans and winter squash. She also suggests limiting certain types of grains such as rice, wheat, oats, barley, spelt, rye and corn and focusing on ones like kamut, quinoa and amaranth.

Eliminating Yeast Growth Factors

• Semon stresses cutting back on foods that contain chemicals that promote the growth of yeast, not just foods it feeds off. This includes most types of alcohol. He also recommends cutting out anything made with malt, which comes from processing barley. This means cutting back on anything that lists malt, malt flavoring, malt vinegar or maltose and most types of beer. Lastly, he advises you to reduce your intake of vinegar and foods made with it.

Other Foods to Cut Back On

• The University of Maryland Medical Center says some diets call for the elimination of milk and other dairy products. One exception might be yogurt, which contains the healthy bacteria your body needs to fight off candida. You might also want to reduce your intake of yeast-containing foods. Perkins also suggests limiting any sort of processed food, alcohol, preservatives, additives and caffeine.

Foods to Include

• An anti-yeast diet will focus on healthy proteins like eggs and lean meat, low carbohydrate vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, garlic, onion and peppers and low sugar fruits like berries of all kinds and pears. Look for foods sweetened with sugar alternatives like agave, stevia and rice syrup.