From: Ruth P

Subject:

have been on the anti candida diet for nearly 3 weeks now and have a few questions; firstly I was wondering if it was usual for symptoms to get worse after starting the diet? I have hormonal imbalances due to candida and chronic thrush and both seem worse than ever. Secondly, I have, under the guidance of Leon Chathow, omitted fruit for the first 4 weeks of the diet but I was wondering if lemons were ok? I would really like to make some Houmous and Guacamole and they´re not the same without lemon! Thirdly, is soya mince ok? Finally I just wanted to add that if anyone on the diet is in Tenerife, the local agricultural´markets are selling the most amazing fresh garlic, still damp from the earth, and freshly pulped aloe vera with nothing else added which am sure are attacking the yeast cells nicely!
Best wishes
E-mail: Ruth P
Posted on 16/ 03/ 2003

(1) Reply to Ruth P

Lemons, fresh are ok provided you personally do not have an intolerance like I did. I say did because once my candida had gone so too did my allergies and I can eat all things now.

Pam

(2) Reply to Ruth P

Ruth,
Soya mince is ok..but only if you use the UNFLAVOURED kind...don't get the
flavoured as it is flavoured with yeast.

hope this helps :)
Child of the trees

From: S Penn,

Subject:

I've been experiencing symptoms related to candida overgrowth for several years now. I've been to several doctors who have all pooh-poohed my suggestion that the problem is yeast-related. One diagnosed irritable bowel, another mid-life crisis, and a third diagnosed depression and prescribed prozac. I went on the diet and took the remedies sold at the health food store. I am naturally a skinny guy, 5' 10'' tall, and over a three month period lost 25 pounds. I looked awful. Hoping I was "in balance" I returned to a normal diet, slowly regained my weight, and again began to experience the bloating, stiffness, mental fog, sore white mouth, sore throat, sore joints, and depression.

Two questions: how can I get a prescription of Nystatin, and how can I stick to the diet without looking like a stick?
S Penn
E-mail: S Penn
Posted on 13/ 03/ 2003

(1) Reply to S Penn
Any MD will prescribe Nystantin! (Annie)

(2) Reply to S Penn

Dear S Penn,

You are concerned about being too thin on the candida diet - make sure that you are having enough nuts (freshly shelled of course), complex carbohydrates (no refined carbs), plenty protein and plenty of the good oils - flax/linseed oil on your salads.

Good luck - hope its going well. (Annamarie)

(3) Reply to S Penn

Hi S Penn,

I am also a skinny guy (with the stomach from hell).The Hay diet made me all but disappear.Your letter inspired me to try the anti candida route, most sufferers seem to be women.Good luck with your diet.

Steve Syvret

From: Maddie

Subject:

Hi my name is Maddie and I live in the UK, over here Candida is not a well know illness and the Doctors don't really wont to know so I have had to find out for myself, I have been ill for about two years and just couldn't get to the bottom of it, thought for a long time I had low blood sugar I do have a wheat intolerance but sugar is the one that really makes me ill.

I have been on HRT for about 14 years but am slowly coming off it went on it at the age of 42 also had a lot of antibiotic over the years and steroids for asthma so no wonder I have a lot of problems now.

The biggest problem I find with this illness is all the supplements you have to take apart from costing a fortune I am so confused about what to take and when to take it, what are the die-off ones and what are the good one etc what I would like to do is just have a couple of good things! so can someone give me some advise about this, I'm sure I'm not the only one that has this problem.

E-mail: Maddie
Posted on 5 September, 2003

From: Christine

Subject: Recipes???

4 days ago I was diagnosed with Candida. It feels like my world is closing in on me. I have done everything I can to look for recepies and snacks. I am not able to eat milk because I allergic to the milk protein, and I am severely allerigic to potatoes. My nutritionist told me I was unable to fruit, and bread. What is there left to eat. I'm from Nova Scotia, Canada and I can't seem to find the stores that supply all the specialty foods... I am glad I now know what is wrong becuase I was quite sick... but I am having dizzy spells from no caffeine and I am so tired and so hungry... does anyone have any ideas of what I can eat or how to get that extra boost of energy?

E-mail: Christine
Posted on 2 June, 2003

(1) Reply to Christine

Hi Christine,

I am also from N.S. and battling candida. I have been doing the diet since Jan. and have started doing acupuncture and aerobic oxygen. It doesn't seem to be a condition that there is a quick fix for, but I am slowly getting better. Hang in there.
Donna

(2) Reply to Christine

Hi Christine,
I came across your message about candida. I'm not sure what part of Nova Scotia you are from, but I am from the eastern shore. I travel to the city on a daily bases. I get alot of my food from the Heath Basket on Cole Harbour road. The people that work there are nice and friendly. They can guide you in the right direction, I also do most of my food shopping at Great Ocean in Halifax, its on Quinpool Road.
There is a web site that I go to on a daily bases as well. The people there all have candida and share there stories and recipes will everyone. Its a nice place to go for support. The web site is www.wholeapproach.com

I hope this helps a little. Take good care.
Lori Baker

From: Lenka

Subject: Breastfeeding

I have suffered from re-occurring thrush for several years and after finding your website, I have decided to try the diet. I am breastfeeding at the moment and while on candida diet I am constanly hungry and really craving sugar. Do you think that it might be unsuitable for me while breastfeeding?

Also my eight week old son has developed oral thrush, have tried nyastin and dactarin -no improvement. Could you recommend any natural remedies suitable for babies as I do not want to keep giving him synthetically manufactured drugs. Also any suggestion what I should use for my sore nipples?

Thank you very much
E-mail: Lenka
Posted on 22/ 03/ 2003

(1) Reply to Lenka

Hi Lenka,

You should not be on the anticandida diet while you are breastfeeding unless you are under supervision from a nutritionist or a doctor. If not then the important thing is to wean your baby first then start the diet.

In the meantime Biocare do have probiotics specially for babies. Bifidobacterium infantis is available from our supplement site and would help replace the bad bacteria in the babies gut with good bacteria which may help with the thrush. However you would probably find that you reinfect the baby during feeding. A baby also needs vitamin C to help build up the immune system. Tincture of Myrrh can be dabbed using a cotton wool bud in cases of oral thrush.

You could try using coconut oil on your nipples.
Pam

(2) Reply to Lenka

Lenka,

Did you get any more information about breastfeeding and this diet? I am feeding a 4 month old,and had the problem chronically with my first daughter (thrush, pain in my nipples- so far my new baby has no symptoms). I know about all the drugs you can take.... but am considering going on the diet to rule out the real cause and hopefully cure other symptoms I have. I saw a natropath and she said it was no problem, but I tried it for 2 weeks and was week with hunger, and very moody.

Thanks.
Julia

(3) Reply to Lenka

Lenka

It may not be recommended to be on a strict diet while nursing but it sure couldn't hurt to modify it some to help you and your baby. Sugar is probably the most important especially because you crave it so much. I consider myself addicted to sugar and have been weaning myself from sugar slowly over the past month and now for the past 5 days, I am having no forms of sugar or fruit except for stevia and it's not so hard. Just go slow and you can do it.

Dana

(4) Reply to Lenka

I'm having the same problem you are. I have read the candida diet is not a good idea while nursing, but you can still cut back on sugar and other things. Get some Gentian Violet for your nipples and Baby's mouth. It stains and is very messy, so be careful. Take a clean q-tip for each nipple and his mouth. Apply once every day for four days....no more than four days at a time!! Be careful to not let baby get too much. You don't want him swallowing it. I haven't had problems with my son, except he does not like it! Just let him suck once on the q-tip and it should spread all over his mouth. If he won't do that, you'll have to swab it inside. Don't wear good clothes! If you get it on a counter, clean with isopropyl alcohol right away. If you have any questions, just e-mail me @ tara@chapmanenterprises.net
~Tara Chapman~
www.chapmanenterprises.net

From: Andrea

Subject: Three week old baby and Thrush

Hi, I have a three week old baby, who has thrush. She doesn't have patches in her mouth but her bottom is affected. My nipples do not look affected, but are quite sore.

Emily has had it for about two weeks now, and is being treated with Canesten Cream and Nystatin medicine. My health visitor also recommended I put the cream on my nipples.

I see from an earlier question that it is not advisable to follow the anti candida diet when breastfeeding, but should I be cutting out yeast and sugar to help?

Any advice would be useful!

Thanks

E-mail: Andrea
Posted on 26 May, 2003

(1) Reply to Andrea

Hi Andrea,

Yes it is important that you do not follow a strict candida diet whilst you are nursing. If you stop the sugar though it wont affect the baby and will be better for you however it wont get rid of the candida. You will have to go on a proper diet and take antifungals when she is weaned.

Something however that will definitely help in the meantime is to improve the gut flora with probiotics, I would recommend Biocare's Bioacidophilus. For Emily there is Bifidobacterium infantis which is specially produced for babies. Both these are available on the site under, Shopping, Supplements and then Probiotics.

Good luck
Pam

From: Owlsperch

Subject: Acidic and Alkaline Environment

I was told that Candida thrive in an acidic environment and then read in an alternative health book that Candida thrive in an alkaline environment. Does anyone know about this and the possibility of eating certain foods to acidify or alkalinize ones body to make it inhospitable for the Candida to flourish?

E-mail: Owlsperch
Posted on 25 May, 2003

(1) Reply to Owlsperch

Hi,

I always thought it thrived in an acid environment according to a number of dieticians such as Rosemary Stanton. I have also been recommended some detoxes for sugar and they recommend regular alkaline vegetable soups to cut out some of the nasty sideeffects from Candida die off.

Regards
Kristin.

(2) Reply to Owlsperch

Hi,

I read your message on the web. Have you heard about drinking Aloe Gel, it contains saponins, these are soapy substances that exert a powerful anti microbgial effect against bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeast, such as Candida and thrush ... Aloe Vera is often called the miracle plant, medicine plant etc ... please read up on it, it may help.

If you want any more information on Aloe Vera Gel please mail me.
(Contact: admin@candidadiet.com for contact information).

Best wishes
Judie

From: Tracy

Subject: Pizza??

I am on day 3 and dying for a pizza!! how do you cope on this diet? My only treat in life is food as i can't go out (2 children, one breastfed)! I am doing it mainly for my breastfed son as he has eczema I believe is caused by my candida problem. I can't find any advice about candida and breastfeeding, has anyone done the diet whilst nursing?

E-mail: Tracy
Posted on 22/ 03/ 2003

From: Anahidrose

Subject:

I am frustrated seeking a MD who will help me. I am taking Diflucan along with biotin, caprylic acid, bifidus, acidophilus and unfortunately my MD has me on Augmentin (I KNOW!) for my sinus infection. I am on the eating plan. Is it ok to eat olives? Nuts? When can I start having whole grains? I started Mon. My food basically is fish, poultry, steamed veggies, olives and almonds and peanuts.

Thanks. I appreciate this site.
Email: Anahidrose
Posted on 14/ 03/ 2003

(1) Reply to Anahidrose

Hi Anahidrose,

Green olives are fine (not black thought) but you should NOT be eating
PEANUTS they contain mould.

Pam

(2) Reply to Anahidrose

You mentioned a sinus infection. The antibiotic will only make your symptoms worse. It's possible that your "sinus infection" is drainage from your body trying to get rid of the toxins that have built up in your system. To help loosen up your sinuses try natural approaches such as saline solution (not nose drops, just pure saline), steam, Vick's Vapo-Rub rubbed on your upper lip at night. Also, you can do reflexology on your toes. It's simply massaging your toes focusing on the outsides of each toe. Have someone do it for you or you can do it yourself. I can usually avoid a sinus infection if I use these approaches.

Hope that helps!
Lenny Debbie

From Luiza Bassett

Subject: The least harmful cocktail

Hello! I was just wondering if anyone knows what the least harmful cocktail would be if I were to cheat on the candida diet. I have been on the diet for seven weeks now and have seen some improvement. But I'm going away for a weekend and would love to enjoy a nice evening with a cocktail with my fiance.

Thanks!!!
E-Mail your reply Luiza Bassett
Poosted on 18/ 08/ 2002

(1) Reply to Luiza Bassett from Pam

Avoid liqueurs and rum because they have too much sugar, and wine because of the mould.

You could try:
Pimms special - Pimms, gin and lemonade
sea breeze - vodka, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice
Moscow mule - vodka, lime ginger ale
screwdriver - vodka and orange juice

Hope this helps, have a good time
Pam

(2) Reply to Luiza Bassett from Bessie

Hi Luiza,

Hi I saw that you posted a message last year about candida and alcohol and I just started the diet and I'm young and I like to go out and drink and have a lot of social events coming up and I have the same concerns you had about alcohol? Have you found any of them to be okay? I saw the message you posted and Pam suggested drinks with sugar in them and I'm trying to avoid sugar and yeast? Any suggestions?

Thanks
Bessie

(3) More ideas about Alcohol

Rum is too sweet, whisky is not good because it from the grain, liqueurs are out - too much sugar, all beer and wines are out. So that leaves Vodka, Gin and Brandy - but no mixers with sugar in. Given the circumstances and the fact that you will be tempted to join in when others are drinking, a little diluted fruit juice is not too bad now and again.

Try fizzy water with lemon and ice or angostura bitters. Soda water is also good with brandy.

Pam

From: Steve,

Subject: Breakfasts

Hi there! my name is Steve and I am a 29 year old male going on a 3 week candida diet soon.. I am trying to put a meal plan together and understand that I cannot have dry cereals for breakfast and was recommended to have a hot cereal.. well, Oatmeal is out because you can't have oats on this diet. Does anyone know of any hot cereals that are good for the candida diet??? thanks!

(1) Reply to Steve

Hi Steve, Nice to hear from you. Having Candida can be frustrating because you bore everyone you know but can't find anyone to talk to who is genuinely interested. Dry cereals are not recommended on the diet because they have malt or sugar in. I sometimes have shredded wheat because it is 100% wheat. I have this with soya milk but I have found the trick is to soften it with boiling water first because it is so hard. I have oats and I am surprised you cannot have them unless your doctor suspects that may also have a problem with gluten. I make porridge with the organic oats and water in the microwave and have it with sunflower, sesame and pumpkin seeds. Another breakfast I enjoy is a mixture of brown rice flakes, rye or barley flakes and linseeds. I soak these in water the night before and have it with the seeds as mentioned before but it is cold when I eat it. Tapioca or sago can be cooked in milk (preferably soya of course) but I never have time to do this before I go to work. Good luck. (Pam)

(2) Reply to Steve,

A good breakfast cereal I use is:
(buy ingredients at the bulk food store)
4 cups rolled oats
2 cups oatbran
1 cup ground raw almonds
1 cup ground raw sunflower seeds
1 cup gr. flax seeds
1 cup dried fruit
Mix dried ingredients-store in cool,dark place. At night you take 1/2 c and soak in water. In a.m. warm up and add rice/or nut milk, stevia (sugar substitute) and applesauce (if wanted).
OR
just add rice/nut milk to dry ingredients in a.m. Hope you like it! (Craig)

(3) Reply to Steve

Please let Steve know Lundberg Hot Rice Cereal is good for breakfast. He can find it at a health food store or online. Thanks! (Sandi, posted on 13/ 03/ 2003)

A message from Ava

Subject:

Hi

I have many of the symptoms listed for candida. Do all medical insurance cover the cost of the test and recommended treatments. Do medicare cover it.

Ava
E-mail: Ava
Posted on 14/ 10/ 2002

Reply to Michelle from Marla

Hi Michelle,
My recommendation is to not eat when you go out with co-workers etc, but order something small you can snack on. If people ask you about why you are not ordering, just say you are not hungry. I would personally say that I am on a special diet for a time. Most people won't want to know more than that.

Marla
E-mail: Marla
Posted on 14/ 09/ 2002

Hi my Name is Michelle

I have been on antibiotics for 'acne' for 14 years as well as 4 courses of Roaccutane. I have also been on the pill and and cortisone for asthma. I am trying the anti-candida programme and am really battling with the diet part. It si not so much the actual food, i don't mind eating that way, it jsut becomes and issue when you have to go out or when there are work pressures to go out for lunches, meals go to the pub. I am fairly new in my
job and don't feel like explaining the whole thing to everyone each time. I
am also a dietitian and many of them don't believe in Candida. My skin still comes out whenver i ahve anything with sugar and my whole body aches and i feel terribley tired if i cheat on the diet. I would welcome any diet tips or how people overcome the social issue of eating and drinking out.
Thanks
Michelle
e-Mail your reply to Michelle
Posted on 04/ 09/ 2002

Reply to David from Katrina

I agree David, I have just returned from an "allergy test" performed at my local Chemist, which I should have done years ago. I have been having symptoms for years and I went to see a specialist...well that lead to gastroscopy's.....colonoscopies.......ct scans...e-ray's.....blood tests.....etc etc....all the specialist came back with was that I was lactose intolerant and I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He even confessed that they give the term "IBS" to people they cant really find a problem with.

I was amazed to find this "allergy test" so spot on. I already knew coffee was a problem, I cut it out and my psoriasis got better and I feel sooooo ill when I have sugar. This test confirmed everything. I am allergic to common things also....dust...chimney smoke...hairspray the list is endless. I am about to start a Candida diet and I'm going to take acidophilus / bifido factor powders to help. I URGE everyone to have an allergy test. Dont waste more time with doctors telling you its all in your head. Good Luck!

Katrina
E-mail: Katrina
Posted on 24/ 06/ 2002

A message from David

Subject: Doctors

Hi guys, just a few thoughts to fellow sufferers!

Isn't it a surprise that GP's have such little understanding of a condition that can effect the body in such a debilitating manner? People can go for years thinking their symptoms are related to depression, stress etc. It's time doctors were made aware of the true effects of Candida, and should prescribe lifestyle changes, diet advice, as opposed to handing out pharmaceutical drugs in the name of politics and profit....

David
E-mail your reply: David
Posted on 13/ 06/ 2002

Reply to Frances from hil1844

Dear frances,
I am just reading up on the candida diet as I think I may be suffering from candida and now am finding it very debilitatating. I read your message on the board and it struck a chord with me as I have also been diabetic for 20 years and think it might be hard for me too. however, have you any experience of the 12 step programmes. In essence they recommend you take life one day at a time and remember you are giving up your 'substance' just for today. Perhaps we can support one another because I am one person who has a lack of concentration, aching muscles and joints and extreme exhaustion at present. Good luck!

Reply to Frances from David

Dear Frances,

I find the best way to stick to the diet is creative thinking! I mean think of those poor saps who believe a McDonald's is really great, or the chips, chocolate, biscuits are fab...well they're not, they are simply sugar and salt dipped in flavourings packaged by a product designer in a neat way for us stupid consumers!

The only advice I can give is, yes you may be suffering with Candida, but taking a look at the bigger picture, you are also creating a very finely tuned body, rid of thousands of toxins, polutants and free radicals, aswell as keeping your condition at bay.

good luck
David

Reply to Frances from Lindsay Curtis

I am actually a practitioner and am seeing a client tomorrow who like you is having trouble sticking with the diet.

I can only recommend to you, that which I am recommending to her....although it is not very easy or plesant to stick with, if you can sustain compliance for a long period of time, you should be in a position to knock the 'candida on the head' once and for all and be on the even longer road of better recovery. What consistutes a long time? That's the big question, it depends how ill you are. Who told you to follow the anti-candida diet? Are you sure you are on the correct programme? These questions can all be answered by a person trained in the field.

There are certain supplements that can be offered to you but without taking a personal history, it would be unprofessional for me to tell you about them in this e-mail.

As far as practioners go you can find a local practioner if you contact BANT www.bant.org.uk - The British Association of Nutritional Therapist or ION - The Institute of Optimum Nutrition and they would be able to help. These 2 organisations are recognised within the field.

I hope I have been of some help, I have attached some information for you to read as a guide line. Please do not under any circumstances start any programme without professional guidance as it can be a tricky road to travel - especially alone.

Please feel free to contact me further if you so wish.

Good luck and good health
Lindsay Curtis

From Frances

Subject:

I have been trying the candida diet on and off for 2 years. I have kept on it very strictly for 3 months at a time, though subsequently having minor lapses. I can't seem to stick to it - though I really want to. I think I still have candida as still have headaches and tiredness if I eat any sugar. I am getting very fed up - can anyone suggest where I could find a practitioner who could help me keep to the diet - or any other strategies to help me stick to it?

Thanks
Frances
E-mail your reply: Frances
Posted on 04/ 06/ 2002

Reply to James from Rosalind

Irish soda bread is great, so you can make real bread sandwiches. I eat hoummous (I'm vegetarian) - this is good as it has garlic tho' that can make
it an anti-social snack. Oatcakes are also good, some are made with olive oil, but beware when you buy that some may have sugar. I have them with fruit spread or hoummous, though they are good just on their own just to chomp on - plain but good. They also come in individual packs inside the box so are easy to carry around, and are excellent for heart health. Popcorn
must be OK and is a wholefood, as long as it's not sugary it should be fine. A friend of mine used to spray his freshly made popcorn with vinegar and then salt it - maybe this would work with lemon juice? You could whizz up lemon juice, oil & seasoning for a "vinaigrette" flavour.
Good luck
Rosalind
e-Mail Rosalind
Posted on 14/ 10/ 2002

From: James

Subject:

Hi

Although I am usually very healthy, I have recently been sick with abdominal pain which my doctor could not diagnose. A nurse friend of mine suggested that I might have a candida infection. Reading the symptoms, I scored over 200 on the candida test. I read many diets on the internet and have eliminated sugars and other candida-feeding foods and am using garlic and caprylic acid as a treatment. I have two questions.

#1..
I have a high metabolism and active lifestyle so require about 2600 calories/day to maintain my body weight at 160 lbs. I get really hungry during the day but can't find a suitable snack to take to work. Veggies don't supply enough calories. Is popcorn popped in olive oil OK? It would be easy to transport and the fat would provide me more calories than air popped. Any other snack suggestions that are easy to carry to work?

#2.
I have always seen coffee on the yeast diet list. My physician feels that one cup of coffee daily is not unhealthy at all. What is the connection between coffee and candida?

Thanks...James
E-mail your reply: James

From: Pamela

Subject: Birth Control Pills?

I have a health condition I suspect is related to candida. Should I stop taking birth control pills? I started taking them a few years ago because I had a hormonal imbalance that was causing severe cramps and facial hair growth. I don't want these symptoms to return. Any suggestions?

From: Craig

Subject: Question to Poppekop

What type of therapy do you need to go along with the diet?

(1) Reply to Craig

In my opinion candida is not something that should be treated by regular doctors. They just cure you till the symptons have gone and then wait for the next symptons. However if you're really sick it might be a good start because it doesn't demand a lot from your body.

Homeopathic treament is a lot better. They encourage your body to fight your diseases by giving you homeopathic medicins. Those medicines are often poison, but it is mixed with water and alcohol (not enough to get drunk though) so it isn't poisonous anymore, but it does give your body a push to heal itself. Often homeopathics use medicine agianst the candida and a lot of medicine to drain your body from all the toxics that come from the candida and from killing the candida. The best thing is that your body is a lot stronger afterwards and is able to fight for itself.

But as candida doesn't flourish in a healthy body and mind, I think a holistic therapy is the best. They treat your whole body and mind. They figure out what medicines you need and don't need and what your weak and strong points are by asking the body. They use a theory I don't know the english word for, but it is based on the fact that if you get anything bad for your system in your energy field, your muscles weaken. They use mostly homeopahic medicin, vitamins and minerals but only the ones you really need. They also treat your emotional problems so you won't get back to old habits that got you the candida infection in the first place. (Poppekop)

Subject: Time period for Candida Diet and Candida Test

Hi, I decided to try the candida diet to see if my chronic fatigue and headaches would disappear. I have been on the candida diet for 7 weeks now. Does anyone know how long the diet should be continued for? Is there a test to find out whether candida is still present? Thanks

(1) Reply to Craig

It probably took you years to pollute your body so the candida could flourish. Now you want to clean it in 7 weeks? It can take up to 18 months, but most of the time it will be a whole lot better in about three months. Didn't your therapist tell you? The diet helps a lot and no therapy works without the diet but you do need some therapy to really get rid of the bastards. And to get some moral support of course. (Poppekop)