Yeast-free Diet

Yeast is a living, single-celled organism that ferments dietary sugar and produces carbon dioxide and alcohol. The main symptom of yeast intolerance is bloating. A yeast-free diet is especially important for individuals who are diagnosed with having a fungal infection such as Candida albicans or tinea.

Yeast feeds on sugar, therefore sugars must be omitted from the diet. This includes lactose contained in milk, and fructose found in fruit. This diet needs to be adhered to for about 4-6 weeks.

Often when the yeast cells die off toxins are released into the body. This die-off period is sometimes accompanied by a general feeling of unwellness or a worsening of symptoms. If this occurs ensure that at least 2 litres of filtered or bottled water is drunk a day.

NATUROPATHIC ADVICE

Type Food to Avoid Food to Include
Bakery products Bakery products containing yeast - breads, pizza bases and rolls. Traditional sour-dough bread is still produced by a yeast starter culture and should be avoided. All bakery products that are yeast-free including breads, pizza bases and rolls.
Dairy products Milk due to the milk sugar lactose, blue cheese Eggs
Cows, sheep or goats yoghurt.
Milk substitutes- malt-free and sugar-free soy milk, rice or oat milk
Vegetables Mushrooms All other fresh vegetables
Fruit Grapes, melons, all dried fruit. Other fresh fruit needs omitting for 4 weeks. Fresh fruit after 4 weeks except melon and grapes.
Drinks All fermented alcoholic drinks- beer, wine, whiskey. Soft drinks, dairy milk, cordial, fruit juice. Gin and vodka (in moderation), herbal tea, mineral water, soda water, vegetable juice.
Nuts, seeds and legumes Peanuts, pistachios and old or roasted nuts. Soy products such as tofu, tempeh and miso, tinned legumes with added sugar and baked beans All fresh raw nuts and seeds. Cooked dried legumes.
Condiments and spreads Vegemite, Marmite, Peanut butter, vinegar (found in many condiments such as mustard and mayonnaise), soy sauce, tamari sauce, shoyu, pickles, olives, Worcerstershire sauce Nut spreads such as almond, cashew, brazil nut spreads, tahini
Sweetners Sucrose, glucose, maltose, lactose, honey, rice syrup, maple syrup, fructose. Stevia
Meat Processed and packaged meat Chicken (organic), red meat, all fish and seafood
Grains None Muesli, rice, pasta, noodles

DIET TIPS

  • Garlic and herbs such as thyme, rosemary and oregano have fungal-fighting properties. Include these liberally in the diet.
  • Make a salad dressing from olive and/or flaxseed oil and lemon juice with lots of fresh herbs.
  • Homemade houmus can be made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic.

SUPPLEMENTS

  • Take an acidophilus and bifidus supplement as the good bacteria will help kill off the unwanted yeast.
  • Drink an anti-fungal tea such as Pau d’arco.
  • Use a fibre supplement such as psyllium or oatbran as these will absorb the toxins released during die-off and help regulate bowel movements.
  • Due to the omission of several foods, take a multivitamin and mineral supplement to help support the immune system and general functioning of the body through extra nutrition.

DISCLAIMER

These recommendations are intended as guidelines only. They are not intended for diagnosis or treatment nor replace the advice of a physician or qualified health professional. Healthfoodexpress does not take any responsibility for any adverse reactions resulting from following these guidelines. If symptoms persist seek medical advice.

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