Candida Diet
Candida Diet
Candida Diet
There are literally trillions of bacteria living in our digestive tract, making up the normal “microflora.”
These bacteria generally play a supportive role in the health of the colon by helping to synthesize
vitamins, degrade toxins, and produce natural antibiotics. Candida, a yeast-like fungus, also normally
inhabits the gut in small amounts. However, if these yeast organisms are allowed to grow unchecked, the
harmonious balance between yeast and bacteria is upset, resulting in intestinal candidiasis or what has
been called the yeast syndrome. Not only can this overgrowth cause problems such as vaginal infections
and oral thrush, but candida can release byproducts, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream and
may travel to many areas of the body. A variety of symptoms may then occur as the immune system
attempts to deal with these foreign molecules. As a result, intestinal candidiasis can be an underlying
cause of chronic, difficult to diagnose health problems. Below is a list symptoms that may be associated
with yeast overgrowth.
Treatment
Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice
©Functional Medicine Research Center Used by permission
Intestinal Candidiasis: The Yeast Syndrome
The successful treatment of intestinal candidiasis requires a comprehensive approach involving the
reduction of risk factors for candida overgrowth, improving immune function, enhancing digestion and
elimination, supporting liver function, and inhibiting candidal growth. The general protocol often used
involves three components. The first is a diet prescription that essentially starves yeast of its main fuel –
sugar. Second, beneficial bacteria such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria are ingested as they compete
for space with the yeast and therefore rebalance the “microflora.” Third, anti-fungal substances are
prescribed to kill the yeast. The dietary component of this program is very important since yeast feeds on
carbohydrates. Foods recommended for this diet are higher in protein and “good” fats. They include
eggs, fish, chicken, turkey, seafood, tofu, tempeh, nuts and seeds, non-starchy vegetables, and plain cow
or goat yogurt with live cultures.
An important point to keep in mind is that with initial treatment, individuals may experience symptoms as
the yeast begins to “die off.” Some of these organisms are reabsorbed into the bloodstream, increasing
the load the liver must filter or detoxify. Often patients experience short term reactions to this die-off,
such as headaches, abdominal bloating, muscle and joint aches, or fatigue. It is also not unusual to crave
the very food yeast thrives on, such as sweets, bread, and alcohol. (For further reading about intestinal
candidiasis or yeast syndrome, refer to The Yeast Connection and The Yeast Connection Handbook by
William Crook, M.D.)
Eggs, dairy, & Eggs; plain unsweetened yogurt (cow, sheep, or Cheese (cow, rice, and most soy* based
dairy replacement goat), with live cultures, (Westbrea) soy milk*, cheeses); Milk (cow, rice, almond, oat, and
(Tofu Rella) soy cheese*, coconut milk, unaged most soy milks)
goat cheese
Flesh foods Fish (fresh or canned) & other seafood, chicken, Cold cuts or processed meats
turkey, lean beef, pork, lamb, (preferably
organically-raised meats)
Beans In small amounts, any dried beans, split peas, and None
legumes (not more than 1 cup (cooked)/day)
Nuts & seeds Walnuts, hazelnuts, filberts pecans, almonds, Peanuts (often considered a nut but are actually
cashews, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower a legume) and pistachios
seeds, poppy seeds sesame seeds – whole or as
nut butters
Vegetables Non-starchy vegetables – raw, steamed, sautéed, Mushrooms and starchy vegetables: potatoes,
juiced, or baked (see shopping list) corn, yams
Fats and oils Avocado, butter, olives, cold pressed oils: olive, Margarine, shortening, processed oils, prepared
flax seed, sesame safflower, pumpkin sunflower, salad dressings, spreads and sauces,
almond, walnut, canola mayonnaise
Acidic & Lemon and lime juices, and vitamin C crystals as All vinegars and preserved foods: sauerkraut,
fermented foods replacements for vinegar. pickles, other products preserved in brine or
vinegar
Sweeteners Stevia (herbal sweetener) All: sugar, white/brown sugars, honey, maple
syrup, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup,
molasses, brown rice syrup, fruit sweeteners
Beverages Filtered, spring, or distilled water (drink 8 cups Soda pop, alcohol, coffee, and non-dairy
per day), herbal tea creamers
*There are several brands of soymilk that do not contain sweetener – read the labels carefully. Tofu Rella makes a
soy cheese without maltodextrin. If you have an allergy to dairy, it may be to casein, a protein in most soy cheeses –
so you should avoid them.
The following are menu suggestions. Choose one in each category daily. Recipes are provided for those
items with an asterisk. Since this meal plan is quite low in carbohydrates, you may experience cravings at
first, but this will pass and you will soon feel quite satisfied. If you are hungry you may increase your
portion size since this is not a calorie-restricted program.
Breakfast Suggestions
Eggs–scrambled, hard-boiled, soft-boiled, or poached Spanish Omelet*
Scrambled Tofu* Mock Oatmeal*
Mexi Tofu Scramble* Silken Smoothie*
Curried Eggs and Vegetables* UltraBalance Protein Drink*
Spiced Eggs* Plain cow or goat yogurt–add real vanilla, and nuts,
or seeds as desired.
Lunch Suggestions
Mixed Greens Salad with Tofu or Tuna* Creamy Cold Tomato Soup*
Deluxe Tuna, Chicken, or Turkey Salad* Beans and Greens Soup*
Stuffed Peppers* Lentil Soup*
Spinach salad* Vegetable Soup*
Bean Salad* Quick Steamed Greens*
Chilled Shrimp* Italian Tofu*
Celery Root Salad*
Dinner Suggestions
Grilled Vegetables* Tempeh Spaghetti*
Stir-fried Pea Pods* Turkey Chili*
Roasted Garlic* Broiled Fish: trout, cod, salmon, halibut, swordfish,
Roasted Red Peppers* tuna, shellfish
Ratatouille* Broiled Lamb Chops
Stir-Fry Vegetables and Tofu, Shrimp, Chicken, or Baked Cornish Hen, Chicken, Turkey, or Duck
Turkey* Roast leg of Lamb or Pot Roast
Chinese Soup* Any allowed fresh, baked, steamed, or sautéed
Vegetable Beef Soup* vegetables in unlimited quantities, topped with
Curried Lentils and Cauliflower* Tofu Mash*.
Tempeh Stew*
Snack Suggestions
Dipping veggies: celery, carrot, jicama, red peppers,
Fresh, raw, non-starchy vegetables with your choice zucchini, whole green beans, broccoli,
of the following: nut butter, salsa, hummus, cauliflower, endive, scallions, snap peas,
allowable salad dressing, yogurt and dill, Tofu cucumber sticks, and cherry tomatoes
Mash,* Roasted Garlic*
Plain cow or goat yogurt with live cultures
(acidophilus)
Roasted or raw nuts and seeds* (without peanuts,
pistachios)
Roasted red Peppers*
Walnut Spread*
After heating oil in a skillet, sauté cabbage, zucchini, and onions until they begin to soften. Drain tofu well,
pressing out excess water. Crumble tofu into skillet and add seasonings, stirring to mix well. Heat thoroughly and add
fresh parsley just before serving.
After heating oil in a skillet, sauté onion and pepper until they begin to soften. Drain tofu well, pressing out
excess water. Crumble tofu into skillet and add seasonings, stirring to mix well. Heat thoroughly and add fresh cilantro
and tomato just before serving.
Heat 2 tsp. olive oil over low heat in large skillet. Sauté onions, ginger root, and garlic until onions are soft.
Remove ginger root. Add curry powder and chicken broth to onion mixture and simmer. In a second skillet, heat1 tsp.
olive oil. Beat eggs and water and add to skillet. While eggs are cooking, add remaining vegetables to onion mixture,
cover and continue to simmer. When eggs are done but still moist, fold vegetable mixture into eggs and serve on a
plate.
Cook onions in water until they begin to soften. Add squash and cook 4-5 minutes. Add spinach, bok choy,
and watercress and cook until soft. Do not overcook (they would begin to darken and become brown). Spoon
vegetables into a bowl, reserving cooking water. Beat eggs and add nutmeg and 2 tablespoon cooking water. Heat oil
and pour eggs into pan. Cook 2-3 minutes. While top is still moist, fill with vegetables and continue to cook. When
eggs are done, fold one half of the egg mixture over the vegetables, into an omelet, and serve.
Begin by cooking onions in water for 1-2 minutes. Add celery, green pepper, and squash and continue cooking until
soft. In a separate bowl, stir arrowroot into water. Move vegetables to edge of pan and stir arrowroot into cooking liquid,
mixing well. Add tomatoes, reduce heat to simmer and cover. Beat eggs. Heat oil in a second skillet over low heat. Pour
eggs into pan and cook gently. When the eggs are done, mix in vegetables, warm, and remove. Sprinkle parsley over all and
serve.
Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Optional ingredients: ground flax seed, flax oil, or
spirulina powder.
Slice tofu into 1/2” x 1” pieces, or break tuna into chunks. Add remaining ingredients and top with dressing of your choice from
below.
Mock Mayo I
1 pound tofu
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 cup cold-pressed safflower or canola oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1-2 garlic cloves (optional)
In a blender, whip all ingredients together until thick. Store in refrigerator. You may freeze half. You may also be
creative and try adding paprika, celery seed, or any other favorite spice.
Mock Mayo II
1 egg
Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice
©Functional Medicine Research Center Used by permission
Intestinal Candidiasis: The Yeast Syndrome
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup cold-pressed canola or safflower oil
Put egg, seasonings, lemon juice and 1/2 cup oil into blender and process at high speed. While blender is
still running, remove top and pour in remaining oil in as a steady stream. Continue until oil blends in. Store in
refrigerator.
Walnut or Pecan Dressing: Sauté 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans and 1 clove crushed garlic in 1 Tbsp. olive
oil. Allow to cool. Toss dressing #1 with spinach and remaining ingredients. Garnish with garlic and walnut/pecan
saute.
Combine all ingredients (except yogurt) in small amounts in blender and blend until smooth. Use salt sparingly if
needed, and pepper to taste. Whisk in yogurt. Chill several hours before serving and garnish as desired with tomato.
Beans may be canned or cooked from dry. If canned, organic is preferred, and include any liquid from the beans.
Combine all ingredients and simmer about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Add pepper to taste.
Combine first 6 ingredients and bring to boil (red lentils should be added 25 minutes later as they need a shorter
time to cook). Add seasonings. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered 45 minutes to 1 hour, until lentils are
soft. Remove bay leaf before serving. Puree half in the blender if you prefer a creamy soup.
Saute leek, garlic, pepper, celery in olive oil until slightly brown. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until
vegetables are softened.
Quick Steamed Greens - Choose any of the following: beet greens, bok choy, collard greens, dandelion greens, endive,
kale, mustard greens, spinach or swiss chard.
For greens with tough stems, tear leaves away from the stem before washing. Wash carefully (fill sink with cold
water, submerge greens and rinse well). Chop into bite-sized pieces. Steam tender leaves for about 2-5 minutes, and
tougher greens (kale, collards) 5-10 minutes. Sauté 2-3 chopped cloves garlic in 1 Tablespoon olive oil. Toss steamed
greens with olive oil and garlic. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon if desired.
In a saucepan, combine all ingredients except tofu. Simmer until vegetables are tender and flavors are blended.
Drain tofu from package and cube. Gently fold tofu into tomato mixture. Heat through and serve.
Note: this recipe requires a food processor to shred the celery root. In a bowl, combine the sea salt and 1 1/2
teaspoons lemon juice. Peel the brown off the outside of the celery root with a sharp knife. Cut into 1” chunks and
shred in a food processor. Immediately place into the bowl with the sea salt and lemon juice to help prevent
discoloration and for mild tenderizing action. Allow to steep for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Warm a bowl. Slowly whisk the Dijon mustard while drizzling in the water, then add the oil, and finally 2
Tablespoons lemon juice to make a thick creamy sauce.
Taste the shredded celery root. If it seems salty, rinse in cold water, drain, and dry. Fold into the sauce and correct
seasoning. Fold in the parsley. If you keep for a few days, it will continue to tenderize.
Ratatouille - 6 servings
1/4 cup olive oil
2 large onions, sliced
3 minced garlic cloves
1 medium eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 green peppers, chopped
3 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 28 oz. can tomatoes, drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. thyme
In a 6-quart pot, sauté onion and garlic in oil for 5 minutes. Add eggplant and cook 5 more minutes. Add peppers and
cook 5 more minutes. Add zucchini and cook 5 more minutes. Add tomatoes and seasonings, then cover and simmer for
30 minutes.
Preheat cast iron skillet or wok. Add oil after preheating. Quickly sauté the ginger (1 minute), then add all of the
vegetables and sauté until they begin to soften, stirring continuously. Add choice of protein and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Then add broth or coconut milk and stir until all ingredients are warmed through. Serve immediately.
Servings depend on the amount of vegetables and protein used.
Rinse lentils several times and place in a medium soup pot with bay leaf and water. Bring to boil, lower heat, cover
and simmer 25-30 minutes until soft. Heat oil in another large pot while lentils are cooking. Sauté onion, garlic until
soft. Add spices and remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer until cauliflower is tender (10-15 minutes). Stir cooked
lentils into cauliflower-tomato mixture, and discard the bay leaf. Dress with plain yogurt if desired.
Tempeh Stew - Serves 3-4
6-8 cups chicken broth
12-16 baby onions or scallions, chopped
1 pound tempeh, cut into 1" squares
Broccoli and cauliflower florets
1/4 head Chinese cabbage
3 stalks celery, sliced
1/2 pound green beans
Bring chicken broth to a boil and add onion. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Add tempeh. Cook for 1/2 hour.
Add remaining vegetables and cook until they are tender.
In a 4 quart Dutch oven cook the turkey until it is no longer pink. Drain off fat. Stir in undrained tomatoes, drained
kidney beans and remaining ingredients, except for pepper rings. Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes. Garnish with
pepper rings if desired and add more chili powder as needed.
Tofu Mash
1/4 pound tofu
1-2 teaspoons tahini
Put ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add a touch of liquid if necessary to allow for better
processing. Serve with vegetables.
Drain beans and reserve liquid. In a blender or food processor, combine beans with 2 Tbsp. bean liquid and remaining
ingredients. Cover and blend until smooth. Add additional liquid as needed and scrape sides of bowl periodically. Use
as a dip for raw veggies and store in refrigerator.
Use within in 5 days.
Roasted Garlic
In any quantity desired, cut the root (bottom) side of the garlic bulb off so that it has a flat even surface and so that
the cloves are now exposed. Add 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon olive oil and rub over the cut area and around the outside. Wrap
them in foil, placing root end up (cut end with olive oil up), or place in a garlic baker (which can be purchased in kitchen
stores) for approximately 35-45 minutes at 350 degrees. Add roasted garlic to dressings, soups, and salads – or use as a
spread.
*Westbrae makes one soymilk that does not contain sweetener – read the labels carefully. Tofu Rella makes a soy cheese without
maltodextrin. If you have an allergy to dairy, it may be to casein, a protein in most soy cheeses – and you should avoid them.