A candidadiet is aimed at curing a yeast infection more quickly. This can be done by consuming propolis, bearberry tea, mint tea, chamomile tea, and probiotics. You should also increase your intake of healthy fats, which can be found in dish and coconut oil, as well as fresh greens and whole grains. These foods strengthen the immune system and decrease inflammation, which can help to treat fungal infections and prevent new outbreaks.
You should decrease your carbohydrate intake and avoid sweets and alcohol, as these can contribute to yeast cell growth and worsen symptoms like itching and discharge.
To ensure a full and quick recovery, you should following yeast infection treatment as prescribed by your doctor.
Foods to eat
Foods that help to cure a yeast infection strengthen the immune system, boost natural intestinal bacteria and help to control vagin*l pH. Some examples include:
1. Probiotics
Probiotic foods, like natural yogurt, kefir and kombucha, are rich in bacteria that promote intestinal health and improve immune system function. They help to decrease the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, which helps to manage candida infections.
Check out the other health benefits of probiotic foods and how to consume them.
2. Propolis
Propolis is made by bees using tree sap, and is considered by a great natural remedy forCandida albicansinfections. It is rich in flavonoids, which help to boost immune system function and prevents further yeast cell growth. Propolis can be consumed on a daily basis as a tea or mixed with water and lemon juice.
3. Natural herbs
There are many natural herbs that help to control yeast cell growth and reduce inflammation. Some herbs contain antimicrobial and/or anti-inflammatory action, like mint, chamomile, oregano, thyme, bearberry, rosemary, ginger, cinnamon, star anise, coriander, parsley, basil, onions and garlic. These herbs can be used in meals or taken as a tea or infusion. Check out otheryeast infection home remedies that includetearecipes made with these specific herbs.
Also recommended: Sitz Baths for Yeast Infection: 6 Ways to Prepare tuasaude.com/en/sitz-bath-for-yeast-infection
4. Healthy fats
Essential fatty acids that are present in fatty fish (like salmon, tuna and mackerel), avocado, olive oil, grape seed oil, chia seeds, flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds help to reduce inflammation and increase immune system activity. These can contribute to a speedier recovery.
According to some studies, coconut oil also contains properties that reduceCandida sp. cell growth, making it a beneficial food to add to your diet when treating a yeast infection.
5. Whole grains
Whole grains contain nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, that help to strengthen the body and increase its defense mechanisms. You caninclude whole wheat breat, whole grain rice, quinoa, amarynth and oats into you diet to help fight a yeast infection quicker.
6. Fruits and vegetables
It is important to consume all types of vegetables as they are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibers and antioxidants that can help to strengthen the body’s defenses. Examples include broccoli, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, onion and cauliflower.
You should also eat fruit, although you should opt for fruit with naturallyless sugar, like blueberries, strawberries, pears, cherries, apples, guava, raspberries, plums, watermelon, melon and papaya.
Also recommended: How to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection: 11 Tips to Try tuasaude.com/en/how-to-get-rid-of-a-yeast-infection
Foods to avoid
The foods you should avoid during yeast infection treatment will typically be high in sugar (as sugar can alter vagin*l pH), and processed foods (as they contain preservatives and chemical additives that can worsen your immunity). Examples of foods to avoid include:
- Sugarand sweets in general, like corn syrup, honey, candy, pudding and fruit juice
- Drinks like ready-made smoothies, soda, alcohol and energy drinks
- White flour and fermented foods, like cake, white bread, crackers and biscuits
- Some nuts, like pistachios, walnuts and peanuts
- Some dairy products, particularly those that are rich in lactose, like milk and fresh cheese
- Fried food and processed food, like canned food, salty snacks, chips, frozen food, fast-food and ready-made broths
- Processed meat, like sausage, bacon, prosciutto, cold cuts and mortadella
In addition to these foods, stress, poor sleep, antibiotics, contraceptives, corticosteroids and laxatives and also alter intestinal bacteria or decrease immune system activity and lead to further yeast growth. Check out these home remedies for a yeast infection that you can also use to reduce the spread of infection.
Meal plan for yeast infection
Below is a 3-day meal plan that consists of food that helps to treat a yeast infection:
Meal | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Breakfast | 1 cup of natural yogurt + 1 slice of whole grain bread with an egg | Black coffee + 2 slices of whole grain bread with avocado and tomato | 1 cup of orange juice + 2 scrambled eggs, seasoned with garlic, oregano and tomato |
Morning snack | 1 green smoothie made with coconut water | 1 natural yogurt cup + 1 teaspoon of pumpkin seeds | Bearberry tea + half a papaya |
Lunch or dinner | Pumpkin past with ground meat and tomato sauce + green salad with 1 tablespoon of olive oil | 4 tablespoons of wholegrain rice + 2 tablespoons of beans + chicken stroganoff with tomato sauce and diced vegetables | Sweet potato mash + grilled fish with vegetables with olive oil |
Afternoon snack | Chamomile tea + 3 whole grain crackers with hummus | 1 kefir yogurt blended with 5 strawberries + 2 tablespoons of oats | 1 natural yogurt with 3 dried plums |
The food and quantitiesindicated in this meal plan may vary depending on your age, sex and health history. Therefore, it is important to see a registered dietitian to formulate a meal plan that is adequate for your health needs.
You should follow this type of diet for at least 3 months to ensure efficacy, symptom improvement and further outbreaks. It is best used in conjunction with medical therapy as prescribed by your doctor.
Clinical review:
Tatiana Zanin
Registered Dietitian
Nutrition studies completed at Catholic University of Santos. Licensed to practice through the CRN-3 #15097.
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Update History
We regularly update our content with the latest scientific information to maintain an exceptional level of quality.
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18 April, 2024 (Current version)
Updated by Daisy Oliveira - Registered Nurse
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21 October, 2022
Updated by Daisy Oliveira - Registered Nurse
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20 October, 2022
Updated by Daisy Oliveira - Registered Nurse
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13 October, 2022
Clinical review by Tatiana Zanin - Registered Dietitian
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Published in October, 2022
References
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- Qing Liu, Xiao Meng, Ya Li, Cai-Ning Zhao, Guo-Yi Tang,1 and Hua-Bin Li. Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Spices. MDPI. 2017
- Dalia Seleema , Vanessa Pardia , Ramiro Mendonça Muratab, aUniversity of Southern California, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Division of Periodontology, and Diagnosti. Review of flavonoids: A diverse group of natural compounds with antiCandida albicans activity in vitro. ELSEVIER. 2017
- S L Vargas, C C Patrick, G D Ayers, and W T Hughes. Modulating effect of dietary carbohydrate supplementation on Candida albicans colonization and invasion in a neutropenic mouse model.. NIH National Library of Medicine. 1993
- Flávia K Tobaldini-Valerio, Patricia S Bonfim-Mendonça, Helen C Rosseto, Marcos L Bruschi, Mariana Henriques, Melyssa Negri, Sonia Silva, Terezinha Ie Svidzinski . Propolis: a potential natural product to fight Candida species infections. Pubmed. 2016