Loading vegetables is an excellent diet strategy. Vegetables are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients and are a great option for any healthy diet, but are all vegetables the same? Believe it or not, some vegetables may not be appropriate for certain types of diets. The candida diet is one of these diets in which you must pay special attention to the type and quantity of certain vegetables that you eat. To understand what types and why you should eliminate or reduce certain vegetables, you must first understand what the goal of the candida diet is.
The candida diet is the cornerstone of treatment for a condition known as yeast infection. Candidiasis is a condition in which Candida albicans, a typically benign type of yeast, becomes an opportunistic organism in the intestinal system. Candida albicans is an innate part of the microflora of the intestinal system that ideally will work according to the types of “friendly” bacteria to keep the body healthy. Unfortunately, external factors such as overuse of antibiotics, steroids, oral contraceptives, stress, and a diet rich in processed foods / sugary foods often cause Candida albicans overgrowth. When this happens, a large number of toxins are released into the body causing a variety of seemingly unrelated health problems. Symptoms of yeast infection include, but are not limited to, chronic yeast infections, chronic sinus infections, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. The candida diet seeks to cut off the food supply of Candida albicans by eliminating foods that stimulate its growth. While the main culprits are sugar, vinegar, fermented foods, glutinous grains, and fast-acting carbohydrates, there are other foods that the candida diet guidelines suggest consuming in moderation. Complex grains and high-starch vegetables fall into this category because, although they don’t break down to sugar as quickly as simple carbohydrates, they do break down to sugar and feed candida. So which vegetables can we eat freely and which ones do we eat in moderation on the candida diet?
Vegetables to eat freely
Bulb vegetables such as chives, garlic, leeks, onions, chives, shallots, and water chestnuts are excellent 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 fight Candida albicans. Inflorescent vegetables such as artichokes, broccoli, broccoli rabe, and cauliflower make great side dishes. Use leafy vegetables such as arugula, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, chicory, collard greens, endive, lettuce, kale and spinach to complement main dishes and create delicious salads.
Vegetable fruit, including avocados, cucumbers, eggplants, okra, bell peppers and squash, will help you create delicious yeast-free meals. Stem vegetables Like asparagus, celery, chard, fennel, and kohlrabi, they also have a wide variety of uses in the diet.
Vegetables to eat in moderation
The two types of vegetables you should eat with caution on the candida diet are tubers and tubers. Beets, carrots, parsnips, radishes, rutabagas, cassava, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams belong to this group. You can still enjoy these vegetables on the candida diet, but plan meals so you don’t overload yourself on these types of vegetables.
For more information on living yeast-free on the candida diet, visit Yeast Free Living.