What to Eat and What to Avoid

The Candida diet emphasizes restricted intake of sugar and carbohydrates — two dietary components believed to “feed” an acute Candida infection. Alternative medicine practitioners often claim this special diet can treat or prevent Candida yeast infections.

Candida albicans is the fungus most commonly responsible for vaginal yeast infections and oral thrush.

How the Candida Diet Is Thought to Work

The theory underpinning the Candida diet suggests that completely avoiding sugar and other foods will deprive yeast of the fuel needed to grow. This concept is understandable, given the way yeast is used in baking or beer manufacturing. Sugar “feeds” yeast cells, allowing them to multiply much faster.

Alternative practitioners contend that the same principles can be applied in medicine, wherein the excess sugar intake fosters Candida growth, and the restriction of sugar suppresses it.

Proponents of the Candida diet claim that it takes around a month to notice any changes, if not longer. Some people may experience no changes at all.

What Research Says

There is currently little evidence to support the use of the Candida diet to prevent vaginal yeast infections and oral thrush. Furthermore, the theory behind sugar and carbs fueling yeast growth does not address the underlying cause of candidiasis—namely, a depleted immune system and/or external forces that alter the balance of the natural flora of the mouth and vagina.

Some studies examine the role of diet on gut flora, including Candida. One study shows that diets rich in vegetable fiber, vitamins D and E, omega-3 fatty acids, micronutrients, and probiotics can help regulate the amount of Candida in the gut. However, this is mostly beneficial for preventing systemic candidiasis, a Candida infection that spreads to organs like the heart and brain and can be life-threatening.

Sugar

The most widely discussed aspect of the Candida diet is the strict avoidance of sugar. This may be particularly relevant for women with diabetes, who are more likely to get yeast infections than non-diabetic women.

Diabetes is a disease characterized by an abnormal increase in blood sugar (glucose). While yeast is not typically found in the bloodstream (with the exception of invasive candidiasis in people with advanced HIV), any rise in blood sugar can alter the glucose concentration in the mouth and vagina, helping yeast grow.

That said, candidiasis in people with diabetes is driven not so much by sugar consumption as by the inability to correct the dysfunction that gives rise to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). This includes insufficient insulin production and/or resistance to insulin’s effects.

While avoiding sugar may reduce the risk of hyperglycemia in people with diabetes (and, in turn, the risk of candidiasis), the consumption of sugar won’t inherently increase glucose levels in the mouth or vagina if the blood glucose levels are under control.

Gluten

Some Candida diet plans advocate the restriction of wheat, a recommendation construed by some to mean that a gluten-free diet may help prevent yeast infections.

There is no evidence that wheat and gluten-containing foods contribute to yeast overgrowth or increase the risk of candidiasis. Unless you have celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is not necessary.

With that said, there is evidence, albeit weak, that Candida albicans can trigger celiac disease symptoms, as it has cell wall compounds similar to those in gluten that trigger the immune cell reaction involved in the disease.

Yeast

People often wonder if they must avoid yeast-containing food to prevent yeast infections. The simple truth is that the microorganisms used in food are not the same as those that cause candidiasis.

Yeast-containing foods like bread and beer are typically made with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an entirely different form of yeast. With few exceptions, it is extremely rare for S. cerevisiae to cause yeast infections. In fact, the opposite may be true.

Foods to Avoid on the Candida Diet

There are many foods restricted on the Candida diet. Sugary, starchy, and rich foods are all prohibited on the Candida diet. Carbohydrates, most dairy, fruits, and non-lean meats are also foods to avoid.

Sugar-Sweetened Foods

Food sweetened with sugar in any of its forms is not advised on the Candida diet. Forms of sugar to look for on food labels include:

• Agave
• Aspartame
• Cane sugar
• Corn syrup
• Honey
• Molasses

Starchy Vegetables

For vegetables, stick to non-starchy options like broccoli, kale, and tomatoes. It may be recommended that you avoid produce that is likely to be exposed to mold, such as mushrooms. Starchy vegetables include:

• White potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Yams
• Corn
• Beans
• Carrots
• Beets
• Turnips
• Winter squashes

Carbohydrates

Proponents of the Candida diet will often contend that carbohydrates contribute as much to candidiasis as sugar. The contention is based on the popular (and oversimplified) belief that “carbs are converted into sugar.”

While it is true that carbohydrates are broken down into smaller sugar molecules called monosaccharides, the body’s response to these molecules can vary. Different foods have different glycemic index (GI) values, meaning some foods cause blood sugar to rise significantly while others don’t.

Moreover, the sugar molecules don’t simply migrate to the mouth or vagina the more you eat. Some will be burned for immediate energy, some will be stored for future energy, and others will be excreted from the body to keep the blood sugar levels from rising too high.

In short, you won’t experience abnormally high sugar in your blood or mucosal tissues if you have normal insulin levels and normal insulin tolerance.

Still, those who follow the Candida diet avoid carbohydrates. At present, there is little to no evidence that restricting carbohydrates or using low-carb diets impacts the incidence or severity of Candida infection.

Fruits

Fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits high in sugar are generally excluded from the Candida diet. Juices made from these fruits, or those that are sweetened, should also be avoided. This includes:

• Prunes
• Bananas
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Apples
• Pears 

Non-Lean Meat

The Candida diet excludes red, organ, and processed meats. Shellfish and large fish (like tuna and swordfish) might also be excluded as they are more likely to have been exposed to heavy metals like mercury.

Meats to avoid are:

• Red meat and organ meat
• Tuna and swordfish
• Shellfish
• Lunchmeat
• Hot dogs
• Sausage
• Bacon

Dairy

Full-fat dairy is often limited on the Candida diet with the exception of probiotic yogurt, ghee, and real butter (in moderation). Dairy foods that are not allowed include:

• Ice cream
• All sugary milk, such as frozen yogurt
• Moldy blue cheeses
• Processed cheese
• Cream cheese
• Cheese dipping snacks

Processed Foods

Processed foods often have sugar where you might not imagine. About 15% of the sugar in the typical diet comes from added sugars. Avoid:

• Frozen meals and snacks
• Packaged snack foods 
• Dried fruit (dates, apricots, prunes, raisins) 
• Bottled salad dressings, dips, and condiments

Foods to Eat

Foods included in the Candida diet are free of sugar and gluten, such as lean proteins, artificial sweeteners, non-starchy vegetables, probiotics, and certain healthy fats.

Lean Protein

Lean protein, such as eggs and skinless poultry, are usually allowed on the Candida diet, as are bone broth and certain fatty fish. Some nuts and seeds are also approved. Examples include:

• Eggs
• Lean cuts of chicken or turkey
• Salmon, herring, sardines, and anchovies 
• Bone broth 
• Nuts and seeds (almonds, flax, pumpkin, sunflower) 

Non-Starchy Vegetables

Non-starchy vegetables are a great way to ensure you’re getting micronutrients in the Candida diet. Low-sugar fruits like limes and lemons are OK, as are small portions of berries. Some examples of non-starchy vegetables include:

• Artichokes
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Tomatoes

Gluten-Free Grains

Gluten is avoided in the Candida diet, so any grains you consume should be gluten-free. These include:

Artificial Sweeteners

Since sugar is avoided in the Candida diet, artificial sweeteners can be used instead. They include:

• Stevia
• Monk fruit
• Xylitol
• Erythritol

Healthy Fats

Eating healthy fats is an important way of making sure you consume the necessary fatty acids.

• Avocado
• Olives
• Coconut, flax, olive, and sesame oil

Probiotics

The use of probiotics in treating yeast infections is controversial. Although probiotics work by increasing bacteria beneficial to the vagina and gastrointestinal tract, their ability to prevent or treat candidiasis is subject to debate.

While many studies suggest that a daily probiotic can slightly improve imbalances that lead to yeast infections, others do not. Foods rich in probiotics are:

• Ghee
• Kefir
• Probiotic yogurt 
• Kombucha

Possible Benefits

A primary benefit of the Candida diet is that many of the recommended foods are healthy items that can easily be included in a balanced diet. Your body will benefit from creating meals around lean proteins, non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats. Reducing your sugar intake is also likely to benefit your body.

Adding probiotics to your diet can also yield benefits. Research has suggested that consuming probiotics might help to lower total and LDL cholesterol. Studies also suggest that probiotics may potentially have beneficial effects on obesity, but more research is needed to fully understand the relationship.

Risks

One of the primary downsides to the Candida diet is that it may feel overly restrictive for some people. If you currently consume a standard American diet which includes many of the foods on the “Avoid” list, you may have a hard time cutting these foods from your diet. Furthermore, many of the foods on the “Avoid” list are nutrient-rich foods, such as (some) vegetables and fruit.

Since there are very few human studies to support the Candida diet, it is very possible that you might see few or no benefits at all from following this highly restrictive diet.

Working With a Healthcare Provider

Candida diets (some referred to as candida “cleanses”) can be very restrictive. Given the nature of these restrictions, it would be difficult to adhere to the diet for a long period of time and maintain adequate nutrition.

It is important to remember that the body requires sugar and carbohydrates for overall functioning. For some, cutting back too drastically on these food sources could prompt symptoms associated with hypoglycemia, such as fatigue, headache, jitteriness, weakness, loss of concentration, and anxiety.

Working with a nutritionist will be your best bet if you choose to try the Candida diet. A registered dietitian (R.N.) or registered diet nutritionist (R.D.N.) can evaluate your current diet along with your medical history and provide recommendations tailored to your specific needs.

Summary

The Candida diet is a very strict no-sugar and no-carbohydrate diet aimed at preventing infection from an overgrowth of Candida. Although many hope that a diet change can prevent these infections, it is incredibly tough to maintain due to how restrictive it is. Furthermore, there is not much science backing the notion that avoiding these foods will prevent vaginal yeast infection or oral thrush.

If you are experiencing troublesome infections, see a healthcare provider to discuss what lifestyle changes might best benefit you.