Amy Myers, M.D. is a functional medicine physician, trained and certified by The Institute of Functional Medicine. Dr. Myers earned her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) at the LSU Health Science Center, and completed her Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Dr. Myers retired from her functional medicine clinic, Austin UltraHealth, where she served thousands of patients, to empower those who were failed by conventional medicine. She’s a 2x New York Times bestselling author, and the founder and CEO of the health & lifestyle e-commerce brand, Amy Myers MD®.
Candida or yeast overgrowth is an incredibly common condition among those with autoimmune disease, gut issues, fatigue, brain fog, and other chronic health problems.
It occurs when Candida, a form of fungus that lives in your digestive tract, colonizes your gut, overpowering the good bacteria that usually keep it in check. This wreaks havoc on your gut, causing it to become leaky and leading to a huge variety of symptoms, including digestive issues, fatigue, brain fog, recurring fungal infections, skin problems, seasonal allergies, and mood swings.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, take this short quiz to determine if Candida overgrowth is the culprit:
Do you think you have Candida overgrowth?
Many factors, including medications like antibiotics1 and birth control, toxins, and stress contribute to Candida, yet diet is often the biggest factor. A diet full of inflammatory, sugary, and processed foods creates the perfect conditions for yeast to thrive and multiply. Although I recommend adding in yeast-fighting supplements there is another key step to fight Candida overgrowth. You must eliminate foods that feed Candida and replace them with whole, nutrient-dense foods. It is one of the most important steps in beating Candida and healing your gut.
Whether you have an active Candida overgrowth, you’ve recently overcome Candida overgrowth, or you’re trying to prevent it, here are nine important foods to ditch.
Foods that Feed Candida
1. Sugar and Sweeteners
This one is a bit of a no brainer because sugar affects your entire body due to its inflammatory effect on the body, and inflammation is at the root of nearly every chronic illness. Sugar especially affects Candida overgrowth as yeast feeds on sugar. That being said, you will want to cut out all sugar and sweeteners. The key here is avoiding not just the obvious sources such as sodas, candy, cakes, and cookies, but also the sugar lurking in unexpected places, including salad dressings, low-fat packaged foods, protein bars, and more. Make sure to carefully check all of your food labels for hidden sources of sugar while following an anti-Candida diet.
2. Wine and Beer
Hopefully, you’re limiting alcohol already, and it is particularly important to cut out beer and wine while getting your yeast in check. Wine is not only fermented (meaning it is made from yeast), it is also high in sugar. And beer, which is also fermented, contains gluten. All of these factors contribute to Candida.
In addition, alcohol can worsen leaky gut, which is one of the most dangerous impacts of yeast overgrowth. It leads to so many other symptoms and health problems as the Candida leaks into your bloodstream in addition to the inflammatory molecules from what you consume. Alcohol also suppresses your immune system, and a strong immune system is needed to not only fight off invaders in your body, but also to keep your yeast population under control.
3. Dried Fruit and Fruit Juices
Although fruits can be part of an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich diet, they are high in sugar and still feed Candida. Dried fruit and fruit juice can be major culprits of yeast overgrowth, especially if you like to snack. They may seem like healthy options, however, they’re not. In addition to natural fruit sugars (which is still sugar, even though it’s natural!), dried fruit and fruit juice are usually full of added sugars as well. If you find you have a problem with Candida overgrowth, try cutting out all dried fruit and fruit juice. You can still enjoy up to one cup of delicious whole fruits per day!
4. Gluten and Grains
As you know, gluten is highly inflammatory. It’s also a grain, and all grains are broken down into simple sugars during the digestive process, which can feed Candida. That’s why I recommend avoiding them entirely (particularly if you have an autoimmune disease) or limiting your intake of them. I’ve included some specific tips on exactly how much to limit grains, legumes, and starchy vegetables below.
5. Beans and Other Legumes
Even though beans and legumes provide a great plant protein, they are starchy and feed Candida2. Legumes can also be inflammatory to many people because they contain agglutinins. Like grains, legumes can also be difficult for your body to digest, meaning there is more partially digested food in your gut. An overabundance of partially digested food in the intestinal tract provides feeds bacterial overgrowth. I recommend minimizing legumes or eliminating them altogether.
6. Starchy Vegetables
Like fruit, this is one that sneaks by many people. Certain starchy vegetables including acorn squash, butternut squash, and spaghetti squash are considered good sources of carbohydrates. However, once eaten, they are broken down into the sugars that feed Candida3. Focus on eating plenty of leafy greens, and other tasty veggies like Brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus.
While following an anti-Candida diet, I advise keeping your combined consumption of grains, legumes, and starchy vegetables to one cup per day.
7. GMO Foods
Glyphosate, the herbicide used on GM crops, is a potent chemical that can attack the bacteria in your gut. The good bacteria that help with digestion and keeping the bad bacteria in check are more likely to be susceptible to glyphosate. While the bad bacteria, including strains that cause salmonella and botulism, are highly resistant to glyphosate4. Eating GMO foods can decrease your healthy bacteria and increase the bad bacteria, not only fueling Candida overgrowth, but also contributing to leaky gut, and inflammation.
8. Fermented Foods
This is a hotly debated topic, but I believe that anyone with Candida overgrowth should avoid fermented foods until their yeast population is under control. The prebiotics produced during the fermentation process feed also feeds bad bacteria and yeast. Fermented foods themselves may be high in bad bacteria and yeast! I recommend killing Candida first and then using fermented foods to help restore the good bacteria.
9. Dairy
Dairy does not directly feed Candida, yet it is a highly inflammatory food. Inflammation damages your gut lining, which is already leaky due to an overgrowth of Candida. This allows the yeast to continue escaping into your bloodstream, along with toxins, microbes, and other particles.
Once all of these foreign particles enter your bloodstream, they trigger a fresh wave of inflammation as your immune system tries to neutralize the threats. Until your leaky gut heals, the particles just keep on coming, and this constant level of inflammation can eventually lead to an autoimmune disease.
Foods That Fight Candida Overgrowth
Ditching the nine foods above will go a long way in starving the yeast so that your good bacteria can restore your gut’s healthy balance5. You can also stock up on the foods that kill Candida to help your body combat the yeast overgrowth. Some of the top foods to help fight Candida include:
- coconut oil
- garlic
- apple cider vinegar
- cruciferous vegetables
- ginger
- olive oil
- cloves
- cinnamon
- wild salmon
- lemon juice
Supplements to Help Eliminate Candida Overgrowth
While adopting a low-carb and anti-inflammatory diet is key to beating Candida overgrowth, diet alone can take up to six months to restore your gut’s natural balance. That’s why I recommend adding in yeast-fighting supplements while following an anti-Candida diet.
The supplements I use in my clinic are Caprylic Acid and Candifense®. Caprylic acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid that comes from coconut oil. Caprylic acid is known for its antiviral and antifungal activity. Candifense® also contains a combination of plant-based enzymes that break down the cell walls of Candida and the enzymes in it discourage yeast overgrowth in the gut. Candifense® is a safe, effective, and gentle approach to maintaining a healthy balance of microflora throughout the digestive tract.
I also recommend taking a high-quality probiotic to restore your population of good bacteria. These friendly bacteria strains will prevent a future Candida problem and are essential for supporting a healthy gut and immune system.
Article Sources
- Mechanisms by Which Antibiotics Increase the Incidence and Severity of Candidiasis and Alter the Immunological Defenses. M E Seelig. NCBI. 1966.
- What is Resistance Starch. Emma Cockrell. Nutrition Help. 2017.
- Limited Effect of Refined Carbohydrate Dietary Supplementation on Colonization of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Healthy Subjects by Candida Albicans. S L Vargas, C C Patrick, G D Ayers, W T Hughes. NCBI. 1993.
- The Effect of Glyphosate on Potential Pathogens and Beneficial Members of Poultry Microbiota in Vitro. Awad A Shehata, Wieland Schrodl, Alaa A Aldin, Hafez M Hafez, Monika Kruger. NCBI. 2013.
- The Candida Diet: Beginner's Guide and Meal Plan. Autumn Enloe, MS. RD. LD. Healthline. 2018.
FAQs
What is the number one food to avoid Candida? ›
Foods to avoid
While on the candida diet, people should avoid the following foods: Starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, corn, beans, and peas. High sugar fruits, which include bananas, mangoes, figs, and raisins. Certain meats, such as processed meats and farm-raised fish.
- High-sugar fruits: Bananas, dates, raisins, grapes and mango.
- Grains that contain gluten: Wheat, rye, barley and spelt.
- Certain meats: Deli meats and farm-raised fish.
- Refined oils and fats: Canola oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil or margarine.
You may wonder what foods you can eat on a candida diet. Any foods that are low in sugar, free of gluten, and fight inflammation are ideal. Those foods include green vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, salad, almonds, walnuts, herbal tea, green juice, and unsweetened coconut water.
Does peanut butter cause Candida? ›Peanut butter
Of course, if you are following the Candida diet then you will already be avoiding peanuts, because they can cause inflammation in those of us who are particular sensitive to their high mold content. Try a high quality almond butter instead.
- Caprylic Acid. Coconut oil is made up of three fatty acids: caprylic acid capric acid and lauric. ...
- Undecylenic Acid. ...
- Oregano Leaf Extract. ...
- Berberine. ...
- Betaine HCl. ...
- Garlic Extract. ...
- Olive Leaf Extract.
Protein: Lean protein, such as eggs and skinless poultry, are usually allowed on the Candida diet, as are bone broth and certain fatty fish. Low-mold nuts and seeds are also approved. The Candida diet also excludes red, organ, and processed meats.
Does coffee make Candida worse? ›Firstly, caffeine's detrimental effect on your immune system reduces your ability to fight Candida overgrowth. This will not only worsen your Candida symptoms; it will compromise your health in the long run. Secondly, caffeine can cause spikes in your blood sugar that feed your Candida overgrowth.
How long does it take to starve Candida? ›Using diet alone it could take three to six months before the candida is back under control. Your doctor may also suggest the use of an anti-fungal medication such as Diflucan or Nyastatin for a month or longer to speed up the process.
Is Sweet Potato OK on Candida Diet? ›Minimize starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, yams, corn, winter squash, beets, peas, parsnips, and beans, especially in the early part of your diet. When you switch to a low sugar eating plan, there is often a temptation to eat lots of starchy vegetables as a substitute.
What bread is OK on Candida Diet? ›full grain bread, crisp bread, also sugar free wholemeal. baking products (those baked with yeast only if you are not allergic to yeast)
How I Cured My Candida overgrowth? ›
- Cutting back on unhelpful foods. As we've already seen, eating refined, high-sugar foods allows Candida to thrive. ...
- Focusing on sleep, exercise, and stress reduction. ...
- Using supplements. ...
- Adding medication when needed.
Most dairy products should be avoided on the Candida diet. Dairy foods like milk and cheese tend to contain lots of natural sugars (e.g. lactose) and they can also be difficult to digest. Many people have latent sensitivities to dairy products (especially those from cow's milk) without even realizing it.
Are carrots OK for candida diet? ›Foods to eat on a candida diet:
Non-starchy vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, bean sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, mushrooms, salad greens, tomato and zucchini. Healthy fats like avocado, eggs, nuts and extra virgin olive oil. Fermented foods such as yoghurt and sauerkraut.
Dairy does not directly feed Candida, yet it is a highly inflammatory food. Inflammation damages your gut lining, which is already leaky due to an overgrowth of Candida.
What vitamins help with Candida? ›Vitamin C can boost your immune system
Taking a good Vitamin C supplement will restore your adrenal glands to health, build up your immune system and allow your body to fight off the Candida.
Two strains of probiotics have over 30 years of scientific evidence to support their use for this condition – Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14®. These two strains are different to other probiotics in that they have been shown to colonise in the vaginal tract rather than the intestines.
Can Apple cider vinegar heal Candida? ›According to research ACV has benefits as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. A 2018 study found that undiluted (or mildly diluted) ACV can prevent the growth of candida. The researchers discovered this effect in a candida culture, which is a small sample of these organisms.
Are bananas OK for Candida diet? ›The Functional Medical Research Center says individuals on a candida diet may eat fruits like bananas as long as they are unprocessed, fresh or frozen whole and don't incorporate any added sweeteners.
Can you have rice on Candida Diet? ›Avoid white-starch foods, like white bread, cakes, cookies, white pasta, white rice, potatoes w/o skins, and all refined flours. Whole-grain flour, in moderation, is acceptable; whole-grain brown or wild rice and whole-grain pasta are all OK.
Does popcorn worsen Candida? ›Anything containing gluten – wheat, rye, white bread, and pasta, and also corn and corn products including popcorn – will allow the Candida to thrive and compromise your immune system. Gluten foods and processed foods can raise your blood sugar levels too.
Is Chicken Good for Candida diet? ›
Since yeast feeds on sugar, the Candida Diet is a sugar-free diet. Stick with animal protein such as fish, chicken, and meat. Eat lots of healthy green vegetables.
What tea is best for Candida? ›Green tea contains tannins, a powerful anti-fungal substance. It also has strong antioxidant properties that re very effective in boosting the immune system and guarding vaginas against yeast overgrowth.
Is green tea good for Candida? ›Also, Green Tea is a powerful antibacterial agent, which makes it an efficacious cure against yeast infections. A study published in the Canadian Journal of Microbiology established Green Tea's efficiency in treating yeast infections. According to the study - 'Green Tea disrupts the establishment of Candida Albicans.
What causes Candida flare ups? ›Triggers for Candida Flare-ups
You may be more susceptible to a Candida flare-up if you are taking birth control pills, under a lot of stress, ingesting too much alcohol, carbohydrates, and sugars, or taking antibiotics, which kill the bacteria that combat the Candida in our systems.
Can Probiotics Make Candida Worse? You might think that probiotics make Candida worse by adding to both the good and the bad bacteria in your gut. However, probiotics can actually help you maintain the correct balance of gut flora in your body.
How long does it take to heal your gut from candida? ›Most mild to moderate cases of candidiasis will clear up in two to three days after you complete treatment. More severe cases of candidiasis may take a couple of weeks to clear up completely after treatment.
Is Magnesium good for candida? ›A lack of Magnesium can worsen your Candida symptoms for one simple reason: Magnesium is needed to break down the toxic metabolites of Candida albicans. Without enough Magnesium, your body is simply unable to do the job of removing these substances from your body.
Are avocados good for Candida? ›Avocado. Although often used in savory dishes, avocado is actually a fruit. Fruits are generally minimized during a Candida Diet, but avocados are low in sugar and starch. They are quite safe to eat on the diet.
Can I have butter on Candida diet? ›Salt, coloring, flavoring, and preservatives may be added before the butter is packed. You can eat butter on the Candida diet, along with some other dairy products.
What vegetables are good for Candida? ›- Non-starchy vegetables, ideally raw or steamed (i.e. artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, jicama, kale, onions, rutabaga, spinach, tomatoes, zucchini)
- Low-sugar fruits (i.e. apples, avocado, berries, lemon, lime, olives)
What cheese is OK for candida? ›
So, some Candida patients will tolerate dairy and others may not. You can try cheddar cheese, swiss and cottage cheese- and even yogurt. If you are prone to bloating or constipation you may want to avoid dairy.
Is Bacon OK on candida diet? ›Also, remember that pork often comes in an over-cooked form (i.e. bacon!) that is full of carcinogenic compounds. Properly-cooked pork from a reputable source may be okay, but we would recommend avoiding it during your Candida Diet,” the diet's website says.
What carbs are allowed on candida diet? ›She generally recommends six weeks for a candida cleanse, and suggests eating a maximum of 60 grams (g) of total carbs per day. “Avoid flour-based foods, grains, and sweeteners, and limit fruit and starchy vegetables to two total [servings] per day,” says Miller.
What homeopathic remedy is good for candida? ›- Calcarea carbonica. When this remedy is indicated, burning and itching feelings may occur both before and after the menstrual period. ...
- Kreosotum. ...
- Natrum muriaticum. ...
- Sepia. ...
- Borax. ...
- Kali bichromicum. ...
- Pulsatilla. ...
- Sulphur.
Perhaps the most well-known sign of candida overgrowth is a vaginal yeast infection. Vaginal yeast infections can cause intense itching in the area, along with burning or pain during urination and painful intercourse. Some patients with yeast overgrowth also experience urinary tract infections or rectal itching.
Does candida cause weight gain? ›'Candida', or yeast overgrowth, can also cause weight gain. Sometimes it can feel more like water retention, but overall, the cravings for carbohydrates or sugars can sabotage all efforts to lose weight and cause a real imbalance in the diet.
Is pineapple good for fungal infection? ›pineapple core has the ability as an antifungal Candida albicans.
Is pumpkin OK on Candida Diet? ›...
The MAYBE List.
| CATEGORY | FOODS TO EAT |
|---|---|
| VEGETABLES | Beans Beets Carrots Corn (non-GMO) Peas Potatoes Pumpkin Yams |
Extra virgin olive oil is on the of highest quality fats that you can include in your diet, and it's the one that we recommend for your Candida diet plan.
Can you eat nuts on candida diet? ›All nuts are good to eat: walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, cashews, pecans, filberts, almonds, brazil, etc. b. Nut butters--particularly almond butter or cashew butter, or tahini. You can get good nut butters with no added sugar or partially hydrogenated oils in Trader Joe's brand, at the health food stores.
How do you flush yeast out of your body? ›
- Cutting back on unhelpful foods. As we've already seen, eating refined, high-sugar foods allows Candida to thrive. ...
- Focusing on sleep, exercise, and stress reduction. ...
- Using supplements. ...
- Adding medication when needed.
- Eliminate your sugar intake. Because sugar is candida's primary source of fuel, the best place to begin is to stop any obvious (and not-so-obvious) sugar intake. ...
- Cut down on carbs. ...
- Stay away from high-lactose dairy products. ...
- Go for gluten-free products. ...
- Reduce alcohol intake.
- Garlic. Garlic is one of the most well-researched natural antifungals, which isn't surprising considering it is used to flavor and preserve many recipes. ...
- Ginger. ...
- Onion. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Coconut Oil. ...
- Olive Oil. ...
- Seaweed. ...
- Rutabaga.
Protein: Lean protein, such as eggs and skinless poultry, are usually allowed on the Candida diet, as are bone broth and certain fatty fish. Low-mold nuts and seeds are also approved. The Candida diet also excludes red, organ, and processed meats.
Does apple cider vinegar help with Candida? ›According to research ACV has benefits as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. A 2018 study found that undiluted (or mildly diluted) ACV can prevent the growth of candida.
Can probiotics make Candida worse? ›Can Probiotics Make Candida Worse? You might think that probiotics make Candida worse by adding to both the good and the bad bacteria in your gut. However, probiotics can actually help you maintain the correct balance of gut flora in your body.
What vitamins are good for Candida? ›Vitamin C can boost your immune system
Taking a good Vitamin C supplement will restore your adrenal glands to health, build up your immune system and allow your body to fight off the Candida.
Vaginal thrush can be another unpleasant and persistent manifestation of Candida infection for many women. Two strains of probiotics have over 30 years of scientific evidence to support their use for this condition – Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14®.
What vitamin prevents fungus? ›In summary, the vitamin B2 (riboflavin), B3 (pantothenic acid), and B9 (folate) pathways appear to offer the most attractive antifungal drug targets among the essential vitamin biosynthetic pathways.
What drinks cure fungal infections? ›Apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties. You could mix two tablespoons in warm water and drink it up or dip a cotton ball in it and dab over your skin. Doing this thrice a day should produce beneficial results.
Are bananas antifungal? ›
Among fruits, banana is one of the widely consumed fruit in the world. Once the fruit is eaten the peel is discarded. But Banana peels are as useful as the banana. They are known to contain antifungal, antibiotic and enzymatic properties.
Is Sweet Potato OK on Candida diet? ›Minimize starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, yams, corn, winter squash, beets, peas, parsnips, and beans, especially in the early part of your diet. When you switch to a low sugar eating plan, there is often a temptation to eat lots of starchy vegetables as a substitute.
What fruits are OK on Candida diet? ›...
Candida Diet Fruit List
- Olives.
- Avocados.
- Starfruit.
- Cranberries.
- Raspberries.
- Blackberries.
- Strawberries.
- Casaba melon.