Loading vegetables is a great diet strategy. Vegetables are loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients and are a great choice for any healthy diet, but are all vegetables created equal? Believe it or not some vegetables may not be suitable for certain types of diets. The candida diet is one of those diets where you have to pay special attention to the types and how much of certain vegetables you eat. To understand what types and why you should eliminate or reduce certain vegetables, you must first understand what the purpose of the candida diet is.
The candida diet is the cornerstone of treatment for the condition known as candidiasis. Candidiasis is a condition in which Candida albicans, a type of yeast that is usually benign, becomes an opportunistic organism in the intestinal system. Candida albicans is an innate part of the intestinal microflora which will ideally work with “friendly” types of bacteria to keep the body healthy. Unfortunately, external factors such as overuse of antibiotics, steroids, oral contraceptives, stress and a diet high in processed foods/sugar foods often lead to the overgrowth of Candida albicans. When this happens, many toxins are released into the body and cause a variety of seemingly unrelated health problems. Symptoms of candidiasis include but are not limited to chronic yeast infections, chronic sinus infections, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, depression and fatigue. The candida diet attempts to cut off Candida albicans’ food supply by eliminating foods that promote its growth. While the main culprits are sugar, vinegar, fermented foods, glutinous grains and fast-acting carbohydrates, there are other foods that candida diet guidelines recommend to eat in moderation. Complex grains and high-starch vegetables fall into this category because although they don’t break down into sugar as quickly as simple carbohydrates, they actually break down into sugar and feed candida. So which vegetables can we eat freely and which ones can we eat in moderation on the candida diet?
Vegetables to Eat Freely
root vegetables such as leeks, garlic, leeks, onions, scallions, shallots and water chestnuts are great choices for the candida diet. This group of vegetables can be used to add flavor and texture to foods and onions and garlic in particular have antifungal properties that help combat Candida albicans. Flowering vegetables such as artichokes, broccoli, broccoli rabe, and cauliflower make great side dishes. Use leaf vegetable such as arugula, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, chicory, mustard greens, endive, lettuce, kale and spinach to complete the main course and to make a delightful salad.
Fruits and Vegetables, which includes avocado, cucumber, eggplant, okra, bell pepper, and pumpkin will help you make a delightful yeast-free meal. Stem vegetables such as asparagus, celery, radishes, fennel and kohlrabi also have various uses in the diet.
Vegetables to eat in moderation
The two types of vegetables you should eat carefully on the candida diet are root vegetables and tuber vegetables. Beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, radishes, rutabaga, cassava, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams all fall into this group. You can still enjoy these vegetables on a candida diet but plan meals so that you don’t become overloaded with these types of vegetables.
For more information on living yeast-free by following the candida diet, visit Yeast Free Living.
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