subject: Try This Diet To Prevent Yeast Infections Naturally [print this page] A healthy diet to prevent yeast infections naturally needs to avoid foods that 'feed' the infection. What are these foods and what foods can we eat as part of a yeast infection prevention diet?
Let's look first at what causes a yeast infection...
YEAST INFECTION CAUSES
Yeast infection is most often caused by an overgrowth of the Candida albicans fungus that occurs naturally in our bodies. It particularly enjoys the moist, warm, dark areas of the body, which is why it so often occurs in the intestinal tract, vagina, and mouth.
Usually, it causes us no dramas because it is kept under control by the body's beneficial bacteria. But, when the conditions are just right, the Candida albicans can grow and spread unchecked, causing nasty yeast infections.
Typical underlying conditions that can aid this overgrowth are; a compromised immune system, overuse of antibiotics, hormonal imbalance, high blood sugar, and some drugs. These are some of the major root causes of a Candida infection.
YEAST INFECTION PREVENTION AND DIET
So why is diet such an important factor in preventing these types of infections?
- Well, high blood sugar is a trigger, so anyone with a high sugar diet is at a higher risk of the infection.
- Stimulants like coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks, etc., can indirectly raise blood sugar.
- A very poor, unhealthy diet can affect your immune system, so there's a link with diet right there.
- And much of our meat and poultry bought at the supermarket has been treated with hormones and antibiotics, so there's another link with diet.
Perhaps now you can see just why diet can help prevent yeast infections. The key is to avoid foods that aid Candida growth and eat more of the foods that do not aid the Candida and may even help to combat it.
FOODS TO AVOID TO PREVENT YEAST INFECTIONS
Sugar is the first and most obvious. Avoid all sugars, sweets, chocolate, soft drinks, artificial sweeteners, sucrose, fructose, dextrose: basically, all products containing sugar. So you need to always check the labels on tins and food packaging.
About fruit: Many folks recommend to cut out all fruit. Whilst this makes sense when you have a really deep-seated, severe infection, it may be allowable to consume a very small amount of fresh fruit with a mild infection. Fruit has many health benefits, and eating a very small amount may also help your sugar craving.
Since refined carbohydrates produce sugar these should be avoided too. Avoid things like; refined breakfast cereals, baked beans, pasta, and white flour and rice, etc.
Yeast products also have to be avoided; e.g. pizzas, tortillas, pies, rolls, cakes, breads, biscuits, ketchup and other like sauces, fermented / malted products, smoked foods, and so on.
If you can, try to avoid everyday meat and poultry you buy at the supermarket. As noted previously modern-day farming methods utilise drugs like hormones and antibiotics.
Include here cows' milk dairy produce because the above drugs can get into dairy produce as well.
Finally, avoid coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and so on.
FOODS YOU CAN EAT TO HELP PREVENT YEAST INFECTIONS
Organic meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, etc.
Soya dairy products like soya milk and cheese, plus others based on almonds, rice or oats.
Yeast-free produce like; whole-wheat bread, cakes, pasta, spaghetti, etc.
Brown rice, wild rice, barley, oats, rye, quinoa, millet, corn.
Lots of fresh vegetables and salads, especially the green leaf variety.
Lots of herbs, many of which have natural anti-fungal properties.
Garlic has particularly strong antibacterial properties.
Plain natural yogurt with no sugar, fruit or other additives contains good bacteria.
Drink herbal infusions and bottles of spring water since tap water contains antibiotics.
Note: It is always advisable to discuss any significant changes to your diet with your doctor before implementing them.
A well-balanced, healthy diet is fundamental in preventing yeast infections. By implementing such a diet, you will lower the risk of recurring infections considerably.
