So Many Paths, So Little Direction

Which Candida Diet is the “Right” One?

I’ve struggled with what exactly I’m supposed to be eating and drinking on this quest to snuff out Candida overgrowth. In fact, each time I’ve embarked on this diet, this being my SIXTH time, I’ve consulted the interwebs for help and direction. It seems that every website offers a diet regiment that is slightly different from the others. I’ve read, and printed and highlighted and compared half a dozen protocols only to get confused and irritated by the discrepancies and sometimes conflicting recommendations.

AM I OR AM I NOT EATING BUTTER, PEOPLE?!? THIS IS IMPORTANT!!

Killing Candida through diet and supplements is very controversial. Most Western medicine practitioners don’t believe that Candida overgrowth is even a legitimate issue. Therefore, very little clinical research has been performed on Candida overgrowth but there is a burgeoning recognition that the Candida problem is real.

Then in the world of Naturopathic, Holisitic, Integrative, Functional, etc. medicine, each expert on Candida has a different opinion about treatment. When you break down all the suggested diets, pretty much each expert agrees that you have to begin the diet by starving and killing the yeast. Step two is all about keeping the diet restricted but adding probiotics and more complex carbohydrates to help promote the growth of good bacteria. The third and final step is to permanently adopt an anti-Candida lifestyle. However, what each of these steps entails is the devil in the details that can drive you crazy.

Some experts insist that you follow a diet free of all sugars and starches. Another school of thought is that you should eat some carbs like starch veggies, rice and some fruits. I’ve read Yes on butter and Absolutely Not on butter. Gah!!! This is where my frustration lies. This is why I compiled a document profiling the recommended diet protocols from several legitimate websites on Candida. I did it just to do it, to see the differences and then state my opinion in the end. Here’s my list of Candida Diets Dos and Don’ts.

Here is my bottom line on what to eat and when to eat it: I’m eating a modified version of all of those diets combined. I eat to ensure that I’m minimizing sugar/carbohydrate intake, and that is all. I’m staying nourished and healthy. Almost too goddamn healthy! Be strict for at least six weeks to clear up the overgrowth.

I’m not giving up coffee but I use Ripple milk instead of other dairy or dairy alternatives. I’m eating Fage Total yogurt because it’s low carb compared to others and has probiotics. Other than that I’m off of grains for the most part with some buckwheat and quinoa here and there. I’m off of any fruits or starchy veggies for the first six weeks too. I may sneak a sip of vodka or tequila now and then. It’s good for the digestion (say that in a heavy foreign accent to make it legit).

Just do what feels right to you and with what’s available to you in your area. The notion that we need to be on super special, extremely specific diets is hogwash. Just cut down on carbs, and don’t cheat. Love yourself enough to do that. It’s only for a bit.

I know how to get rid of it, my challenge is keeping it at bay.