The Best Raw Foods For A Candida Diet

A raw food diet can be an ideal approach for overcoming Candida. However, even among some of the prominent leaders in the raw food movement there is a lot of debate about what is the best diet for treating Candida.

On the one hand, some raw food experts have the opinion that a high-sugar diet can be an important contributing factor in the development of Candida. They advise adhering to a low glycemic diet that completely eliminates fresh fruit in the primary stages of treatment.

While others believe that the true cause of Candida is unrelated to fruit intake but rather occurs when there is an excessive intake of fat. A high fat intake can reduce insulin sensitivity, causing sugars to remain in the blood for a longer time, thus exacerbating an overgrowth of yeast.

Everyone is different so a single dietary approach doesn’t work for all people. Some individuals do well on high-fruit regimes, while others still struggle with candida after months or years of following low-fat raw vegan diets. Others seem to do better on low-glycemic eating plans or on a vegan ketogenic diet. You may need to do a little experimentation or work with your health professional to discover the best dietary adjustments for you.

Just about everyone agrees that elimination of foods high in sugars is recommended including raw honey, agave nectar and dried fruits, especially in combination with concentrated fats, such as in the form of raw desserts.

It is also just as important to avoid overeating, late-night eating and complicated meals that contain a combination of protein and starch, because this has a negative impact on the function of the digestive system, which may ultimately support the growth of Candida.

What Are The Best Raw Foods For Candida?

Here is a selection of foods that you can incorporate into an anti-Candida regime. Aim to include a variety of these in your diet every day.

Fruit

The majority of those who adopt a raw food diet to cure Candida don’t need to eliminate fruit entirely. Fruits are valuable for healing Candida because they cleanse the lymphatic system and enhance immunity. However it may be best to emphasize low-glycemic fruits, such as berries, citrus and apples, and avoid fruit juices and dried fruits, at least in the initial stages of treatment.

The non-sweet fruits including tomatoes, cucumber and peppers are ideal for a Candida diet as they are hydrating, cleansing and very low in sugar.

Leafy Green Vegetables

These are perhaps some of the most important foods to eat in abundance if you are struggling with Candida. Leafy greens are high in minerals and have an alkalizing effect that discourages the growth of yeast and bacteria.

Leafy greens provide you with the most benefits when consumed raw, especially when juiced or blended, such as in green smoothies. Examples include kale, spinach, arugula, lettuce, dandelion greens, parsley, bok choy and watercress.

Sprouts

Sprouts provide your body with life force energy and are regarded as being some of the greatest healing foods available. Some of the best sprouts in terms of flavor and nutrition include sunflower, clover and broccoli sprouts.

Onions and Garlic

These foods are yeast killers but many people are sensitive to them when they are consumed raw. If you do well with these foods add them liberally to your salads and other raw meals. Most people find red onion, green onion and chives easier to tolerate than raw garlic.

Another alternative is fresh ginger, which has different properties but has a very positive effect on digestion and inflammation, which can produce an improvement in Candida symptoms. Garlic, onions and ginger are also avery effective anti-parasitic foods.

Fresh Herbs

Many fresh herbs – such as oregano and thyme – contain specific compounds that can limit the growth of yeast. You can add them to salads or sauces to enhance their flavor as well as taking advantage of their anti-microbial effect.

Herbs can be quite strong so it’s best to use them in small amounts, so they don’t overpower the flavor of your meal, or produce nausea and digestive discomfort due to a die-off reaction if the yeast are destroyed more quickly that your body is able to eliminate.

Coconut

Coconut is a source of lauric acid, which is a well-known and very effective anti-fungal agent. Fresh coconut is best for a Candida diet because dried coconut can sometimes harbor mold, as well as being heated to high temperatures during processing.

If you can’t get fresh coconut a great alternative is extra-virgin coconut oil, or raw coconut butter, which is made from whole coconut, slowly ground at low temperatures to preserve its optimal nutrition.

Cultured Foods

Examples of cultured foods include raw sauerkraut, kimchi, and coconut kefir. These foods reintroduce healthy flora into the digestive system and establish a balanced microbiome.

In order to obtain the greatest benefits from these foods it is important that you purchase products that are guaranteed to be raw, or better yet, make your own.

Raw Seeds

Seeds are a valuable source of healthy fats and protein in a raw food diet and much easier to digest compared to nuts. It is best to emphasize those high in omega-3 fatty acids, which includes hemp seed, chia seed and flaxseed.

Omega-3 fats have been found to enhance insulin sensitivity, which results in better blood sugar balance, and they also have a positive effect on immunity, which allows your body to naturally overcome any infection, including Candida.

The Best Diet for Candida

A diet emphasizing a high intake of raw foods including leafy green vegetables, sprouts, raw seeds, cultured foods, coconut and fresh fruits in moderation can be very helpful as a component of a holistic program for overcoming Candida. However, in most cases it is not necessary to completely eliminate fruit, or even eat a fully raw diet in order to implement a way of eating that will produce beneficial results.

A diet containing at least 80% raw foods is recommended with an emphasis on those that will provide essential nutrients, while avoiding complicated meals and overeating. This approach will support the health of your digestive and immune systems, while simultaneously reducing the population of Candida, so as to support your goal of achieving a complete recovery.