The Things To Not Eat When You Have A Yeast Infection

The simple carbohydrates in fruit may worsen your yeast infection.

Image Credit: Redjina Ph/Moment/GettyImages An overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans causes a condition know as candidiasis, also called a yeast infection. Yeast infections often affect dark, moist areas of your body such as your mouth, genital area, intestines, urinary tract or skin folds. While no scientific evidence proves that dietary changes help improve yeast infections, avoiding certain foods may help enhance your body’s ability to control the overgrowth of Candida albicans.

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 Simple Carbohydrates
 
Avoid sugary drinks such as fruit juice and soda.

Image Credit: Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images Simple carbohydrates such as sugar, refined grains, fructose and glucose provide yeast infections with a source of food. The lack of nutrients in many simple carbohydrate foods also limits your intake of vitamins and minerals your immune system needs to fight candidiasis, advises Nicole Kuhl, the director of nutrition and full-time health coach at Lifespan Medicine in Santa Monica, California. Avoid simple sugars by eliminating most fruits, fruit juices, sodas, milk, alcohol, candy, pre-packaged meals and snacks, white breads, regular pasta, syrups, table sugar and white rice from your diet. Some high-carbohydrate vegetables such as peas, squash, lima beans and potatoes also provide your body with simple carbohydrates.

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  Yeast
 
Avoid alcohol while you have a yeast infection as it may promote yeast growth.

Image Credit: Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images Foods made with yeast or containing yeast may also promote yeast growth. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that avoiding alcohol, peanuts and most cheeses may help control a yeast infection. Other foods sources of yeast include vinegar, bread, rolls, soft pretzels, pizza dough, pastries and bagels.

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 Allergens
 
Stomach cramps are a common symptom of food sensitivity.

Image Credit: Tom Le Goff/Digital Vision/Getty Images Foods that your body is sensitive to may also worsen yeast infections. Common symptoms of food sensitivity include hives, itching, indigestion, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, swelling of the face, metallic taste in the mouth, breathing difficulty, nasal congestion, lightheadedness or fainting. If you have even one of these symptoms within two hours of consuming a food, you may have a sensitivity to it. Avoid foods that cause any of these allergic reaction symptoms. Food sensitivities cause an inflammatory response, which stresses the immune system and decreases your immune response to your yeast infection, Kuhl advises. Common foods sensitivities include wheat, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, strawberries, tomatoes, fish, dairy and soy.

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 Saturated Fats
 
Cheese contains saturated fats and can increase the inflammatory response produced by your body.

Image Credit: Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images Saturated fats may also increase the inflammatory response produced by your body, Kuhl warns. Eliminate as many saturated fats from your diet as possible, such as dairy, organ meat, processed meats, butter, cheese, full-fat dairy products and most meats. Do not eliminate all fats from your diet though. Sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids such as fish and nuts actually reduce inflammation and allow your immune system to focus on fighting the growth of yeast.

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 Considerations
 
Consult your doctor as diet changes alone may not improve your yeast infection.

Image Credit: Jochen Sands/Digital Vision/Getty Images Dietary changes alone may not improve your yeast infection. Yeast infections often require special anti-fungal medications. Consult your doctor about medications you may need in addition to making dietary changes to fight your yeast infection.

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  references
  
      University of Maryland Medical Center; Candidiasis; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; December 2009
    
      Nicole Kuhl, MS, CCN; LifeSpan Medicine; Santa Monica, California
    
      University of Maryland Medical Center; Food Allergy; A.D.A.M. Editorial Team; March 2010
     Is this an emergency?
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the
National Library of Medicine’s list
of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.





  references
  
      University of Maryland Medical Center; Candidiasis; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; December 2009
    
      Nicole Kuhl, MS, CCN; LifeSpan Medicine; Santa Monica, California
    
      University of Maryland Medical Center; Food Allergy; A.D.A.M. Editorial Team; March 2010

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

The simple carbohydrates in fruit may worsen your yeast infection.

Image Credit: Redjina Ph/Moment/GettyImages

Avoid sugary drinks such as fruit juice and soda.

Image Credit: Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images

Avoid alcohol while you have a yeast infection as it may promote yeast growth.

Image Credit: Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Stomach cramps are a common symptom of food sensitivity.

Image Credit: Tom Le Goff/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Cheese contains saturated fats and can increase the inflammatory response produced by your body.

Image Credit: Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images

Consult your doctor as diet changes alone may not improve your yeast infection.

Image Credit: Jochen Sands/Digital Vision/Getty Images

      University of Maryland Medical Center; Candidiasis; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; December 2009
    
      Nicole Kuhl, MS, CCN; LifeSpan Medicine; Santa Monica, California
    
      University of Maryland Medical Center; Food Allergy; A.D.A.M. Editorial Team; March 2010