10 Foods That Kill Candida [Plus Foods to Avoid]
Struggling with a stubborn yeast infection? I’m sharing a list of the top 10 foods that kill candida to give your system a yeast cleanse.
If you found this article, chances are that you already know what candida is.
For those of you that don’t, candida is a type of fungus, which is a form of yeast, that can be found in the mouth and intestinal tract. It helps with nutrient absorption and digestion.
Sometimes, when the immune system is compromised, the healthy balance of candida in the body can be disrupted and cause a yeast infection.
This can be caused by a number of factors, including stress, taking antibiotics, and the overconsumption of alcohol, sugar, refined carbohydrates, and fermented foods.
The overgrowth of candida can wreak havoc in the body and can result in a variety of health problems, including vaginal yeast infections, digestive issues, oral thrush, sinus infections, hormone imbalance, leaky gut, chronic fatigue, and many others.
The good news is that this can all be cured with a candida diet. You must eat the right foods to fight against candida overgrowth, allow the body to produce healthy bacteria again, and heal itself.
You can naturally treat candida overgrowth and alleviate the symptoms by having a diet rich in the follow foods.
Related Article: 10 Candida Overgrowth Symptoms + 3 Steps to Naturally Cure It!
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1. Organic Chicken and Grass-Fed Beef
It’s important that you eat high-quality protein sources that are free from chemicals and hormones while your body is trying to heal.
Foods that are highly processed and that contain other additives are harder for your digestive system to break down and absorb nutrients from. This is the opposite of what you want when you are trying to heal your system.
High-quality protein sources (organic, antibiotic-free, hormone-free, grass-fed, etc.) include whole eggs, chicken, beef, bison, etc. Avoid bacon, tuna, and other processed meats.
2. Wild, Alaskan Salmon
While this could have been grouped into the category of high-quality meats, it really did need a category of its own.
Wild, Alaskan salmon is not only a great source of protein, but it’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids. These have been known to help fight fungal infections and all sorts of other diseases.
If you can’t get them in the form of salmon, you can also try fish oil supplements or chia seeds. That brings us to our next food…
3. Whole Nuts and Seeds
As stated above, chia seeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, as are flax seeds and pumpkin seeds. Whole almonds and walnuts are also fine to eat on a candida diet.
Make sure to avoid peanuts while trying to get rid of candida. Besides being a very common allergen, peanuts often contain mold, which actually helps the candida thrive. Cashews and pistachios also generally contain higher amounts of mold and should be avoided.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is loaded with enzymes that help keep your digestive system in top condition, so it’s no wonder that it made this list.
Make sure to buy the raw, unfiltered kind (Bragg’s is one of the best brands on the market), because the others have had many of the nutrients processed and filtered out. The bottle also may say “with the mother,” because that is what contains the natural proteins, enzymes, and good bacteria.
Try 2 tablespoons in 8-10 oz. of water up to 2x per day. It’s the most effective when taken at least 30 minutes before meals.
5. Green Vegetables
The list of health benefits from eating various vegetables (especially green) is endless. It’s no wonder that adding more to your diet will help to kill candida. Just make sure that they are non-starchy.
Examples of approved vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and leafy greens (spinach, kale, etc.). Examples of starchy vegetables to avoid include carrots, potatoes, corn, mushrooms, peas, radishes, and beets.
Make sure to avoid all fruits when you are trying to get rid of candida. While fruits are a good addition to any healthy diet, they do contain natural sugars and should be avoided on a candida diet.
6. Garlic and Onion
Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties and other nutrients that help boost the immune system. Cook with and eat fresh, minced garlic regularly on a candida diet.
Onions are also a great addition to a candida diet because they have antifungal, antibacterial and anti-parasitic properties. They also contain antioxidants and are naturally detoxifying to the body, which is very important while suffering from an overgrowth of candida.
Just make sure you have some breath mints on hand after all of that garlic and onion!
7. Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Organic Coconut Oil
The extra virgin olive oil contains antioxidants called polyphenols, which not only help combat degenerative diseases but also fungal infections such as candida.
Organic, unrefined coconut oil is even more effective. One of its three fatty acids, caprylic acid, directly fights candida and restores stomach acidity to normal levels.
Use these oils on salads or to cook with, but try to keep the heat to medium or less to retain as much of the health properties as possible.
8. Spices
Ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper are great to help fight candida because of their anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.
Cloves also have anti-fungal properties, and they also contain an essential oil called eugenol that directly fights fungal infections.
You can add any of these to your tea or to your vegetables to get more into your diet.
9. Lemon and Lime Juice
It’s no secret that vitamin C is a great immune system booster, and this is something your body desperately needs when it is trying to kill the candida.
Two of the best sources you can get vitamin C from is lemons and limes. They are naturally detoxifying and will help cleanse the liver and boost the immune system.
Add the juice from 1/2 lemon to 8-10 oz. of water up to 2x daily.
Oranges are another option, but they are fruits and therefore contain sugars that could do more damage than good while your body is fighting the candida.
10. Seaweed
One of the problems that can result from candida is hypothyroidism. One of the many nutrients in seaweed is iodine, which helps to balance the thyroid and combat hypothyroidism.
Seaweed is naturally detoxifying to the body, so it becomes even more important while flushing out candida from the system. It is also good for your digestive system.
Kelp extract is also another food source high in iodine, but seaweed is often easier to find and tastes better.
Are probiotics good for Candida?
Candida kills off the healthy bacteria living in your gut that helps you process and absorb nutrients. As candida is killed off, it’s important to bring back the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut.
This can be done by taking a good probiotic, eating Greek yogurt, and by supplementing with apple cider vinegar in the diet.
Taking a good probiotic is always a great place to start!
No matter what supplement you use, you want to take AT LEAST 50 billion units of probiotics daily from a minimum of 10 different sources for best results.
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What foods make candida worse?
Make sure to avoid all processed foods as well as common allergen causing foods such as dairy and wheat. These foods contain harmful ingredients that can make candida worse.
Stay away from the following foods which simple feed candida.
Sugar
Sugar is the number one food that you should avoid while suffering from candida. All forms of sugar, including honey and fruit juice, contain simple carbohydrates that candida loves to feed off of. Cutting sugar out of your diet will help to starve the candida and get it under control.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption should be avoided while you have candida. While alcohol is not a sugar, it is still a carbohydrate that candida will feed off of. It can also damage the gut lining and make you more susceptible to other infections.
Processed Foods
Processed foods are full of chemicals, preservatives, and other harmful ingredients that can make candida worse. They should be avoided at all costs.
Dairy
Dairy products are common allergens that can make candida worse. They contain sugar and other carbohydrates that candida loves to feed off of.
Wheat
Wheat is another common allergen that can make candida worse. It contains gluten, which can damage the gut lining and make you more susceptible to other infections.
Yeast
Yeast is a type of fungus, so it’s no surprise that it can make candida worse. A
Soy
Soy is a common allergen that can make candida worse. It contains sugar and other carbohydrates that candida loves to feed off of.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, so they can make candida worse.
Caffeine
Caffeine can make candida worse by stressing the adrenal glands and lowering the immune system. It can also cause spikes in your blood sugar that feed your Candida overgrowth.
In Conclusion
Candida is a serious problem that should not be taken lightly. If you think you have candida, it’s important to see a doctor so they can confirm the diagnosis and put you on the best course of treatment.
Cutting sugar out of your diet, eating plenty of vegetables, and taking a good probiotic are all great ways to help get your candida under control. Avoiding processed foods, dairy, wheat, soy, mushrooms, yeast, and caffeine will also help to keep your candida in check.
Still have questions? Feel free to ask me anything in the comment section below!
I went undiagnosed for 9 months in terrible pain everyday. I saw 2 gastroenterologist. First one said nothing was worng with me and would not make a nother appointment. Second on did practically the same thing. Now I have been banned form every gastroenterologist in my state and can not even get an appointment. Finally a great homeopathic doctor got me diagnosed with 1 simple test. I for all this time had Salmonella and an over growth of Candida and a nother bad yeast. She said it was the worst she has ever seen. After antibiotics I am trying to rebuild a balanced digestive system. For most of this time now 11 months all I eat is good protein, good fat and vegetables and many many supplements. All the things on your don’t eat list I have not been eating but picked up some great pointers on your good to eat list!!
Thank you!!
Oh, Julie! I’m so sorry to hear you had to suffer so long before being correctly diagnosed! We need more doctors who are willing to look at a homeopathic approach, or at least be willing to refer someone to a homeopathic doctor when western medicine can’t find anything wrong. Happy to hear you are on the road to recovery!
Hi Cathy, I started my candida diet 4 weeks ago with support from my naturopath. Acupuncture, therapeutic massage, yoga, swimming, meditation and supplements are helping. I was also diagnosed with chronic Lyme & 2 tick borne infections & gluten intolerance & I’ve eliminated my adhd stimulant. Ive enjoyed eating lots of recommended veggies, wild salmon, local organic eggs, grass fed beef from a local farm & lots of filtered water, but I’m still struggling with staying on track. I’ve drank an espresso with almond milk a few mornings a week & twice drank a shot of vodka with soda water & lime juice. Because of this, I’m still experiencing cravings daily. Any suggestions to stay on track so I can rid the candida, fix my gut so I can then treat my Lyme & tick borne infections?
Hey Jackie! So sorry for the late reply. So many things can cause Candida, including antibiotics, steroids, over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), oral contraceptive, alcohol), sugar, starch, wheat, and even meat and dairy products from animals that are fed antibiotics. It will suck, but a true elimination diet is what you need (plus a good Probiotic!).
You mentioned Lyme disease too, and I’ve known people, like Craig Emmerich (you can look him up on Google), who’ve greatly reduced Lyme Disease symptoms by adopting a Carnivore Diet. It’s extreme, but your health issues call for extreme eliminations in your diet to get everything under control.