How to Treat Candida As a Vegetarian

Treating candida overgrowth requires you to make significant changes in your diet to starve out the excess yeast. Experts normally recommend meat as a major part of an anti-candida diet, as protein inhibits candida growth while carbohydrates make candida flourish. If you are a vegetarian, it can be challenging to find alternative sources of protein that are low enough in carbs to be allowed on an anti-candida diet. Finding the right combination of foods for you may require some experimentation.

Instructions

1

Try eating small quantities of high-protein vegetarian foods like tofu and tempeh. While beans are high in protein, many varieties are also high in carbohydrates, so keep your intake to a minimum. You may be able to add more into your diet if they do not appear to worsen your candida symptoms. Eggs are also an excellent source of protein, if you are comfortable eating them.

2

Watch your grain intake: high-protein grains like brown rice, wheat and rye are also high in carbohydrates. Try grain alternatives such as quinoa, which is high in protein and lower in carbohydrates than other grains.

3

Consume lots of fiber through steamed vegetables. Eat plenty of broccoli, celery, asparagus, cabbage and kale. Include garlic and onions, which have anti-fungal properties. Most other vegetables are acceptable, but avoid corn and potatoes, and eat carrots and yams sparingly.

4

Eat yogurt, if you consume dairy products. Yogurt contains friendly bacteria that help kill off the candida. You can also try drinking sweet acidophilus milk, which is available at many health food stores.

5

Avoid foods that feed candida and allow it to grow. These include sugar, alcohol, refined foods such as pasta, all dairy products apart from yogurt, coffee, cheese and chocolate.

6

Reduce or eliminate your intake of fruits, especially sweet fruits like bananas, grapes, mangoes, melons and oranges. Fruits that are lower in sugar, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and pears, are acceptable.

7

Make diet changes slowly to reduce uncomfortable die-off symptoms. As the candida dies off, your kidneys and liver will strain to process the extra yeast, which may result in a temporary worsening of your symptoms. You may experience headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue.