The candida diet is the primary course of treatment for a medical condition known as candidiasis. Candidiasis is characterized by an overgrowth of Candida albicans in the intestinal system which releases toxins into the body and eventually causes ill health. The candida diet eliminates certain foods and ingredients thought to exacerbate this condition. These eliminated foods feed Candida albicans thereby encouraging it to grow and multiply. As long as the candida albicans has an abundant food supply it will continues to wreak havoc on the body. Sugar, processed foods, dairy, preservatives, vinegar, glutinous grains and even fruit initially, are all prohibited on the candida diet. With so many foods and ingredients eliminated many feel frustrated trying to actually find things that they can still enjoy eating and drinking on the diet.
Since all types of sugar are eliminated on the candida diet figuring out what to drink on the diet may be a difficult task. Many of us are used to drinking soda, fruit juice, ice tea and other sugar laden drinks and these are often hard for candida dieters to completely give up. Additionally, many of us who have tried other diets may be appalled to find out that the diet soda and “light” varieties of juice that we relied so heavily on are no longer allowed on the candida diet as these contain artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose have been found to feed candida in the same manner as regular sugar and there are other health concerns regarding use of these sweeteners. Old habits die hard though, so to make this transition a little easier it is a good idea to identify what beverages are okay to drink on the candida diet.
Water is the best choice for a healthy diet, not just the candida diet. The human body is made up of about 70% water. Water is a vital component of our organs and tissues and we need the proper intake of water to ensure optimal functioning of the body. When we do not get enough water the body steals it from the organs and tissues and this is when symptoms of dehydration occur. Symptoms of dehydration can include fatigue, constipation, headaches, weakness and nausea. Keeping the body properly hydrated with water is also a good idea when trying to overcome candidiasis as it will help to flush toxins out of the body. Most candida diet guidelines suggest not drinking tap water because of the possible toxins it contains but buying a water filtration pitcher such as Brita can help reduce the toxins in tap water. You can also purchase bottled spring or purified water if you prefer. It may seem like drinking water is boring but it need not be with options such as seltzer and sparkling mineral water. Try adding lemon or lime slices to seltzer or sparkling mineral water and you will feel like you are out enjoying a cocktail.
Herbal Tea may be an option for some on the candida diet. Most candida diet guidelines recommend staying away from both tea and coffee because of caffeine and possible mold contamination of tea leaves but many candida dieters have found that they can tolerate herbal teas. Green tea is a great choice as it provides antioxidants which protect against free radical damage. Pau d’Arco is another herbal tea made from the bark of a tree indigenous to the rain forest. The tea appears to have some medicinal benefits and has helped many candidiasis sufferers. You can use stevia, a natural plant sweetener tolerated by most on the candida diet to sweeten your herbal teas and then serve them hot or cold.
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