What is the candida diet?

Thrush: a common yeast infection that most women (and sometimes men) will have at some point in their lives. It’s not ideal and can be uncomfortable but it can be managed and potentially even prevented. 

Candida is the culprit behind thrush and a candida diet aims to stop it before it starts. Some people claim the candida diet restores the gut microbiota back to health by removing yeast from the diet. But many medical professionals believe it’s more to do with adopting healthier eating practices.

So, let’s take a look at what thrush is and how the candida diet may help.

Candida is the body’s most common fungus and is usually harmless.¹ However, when candida overdevelops, it can cause yeast infections of the mouth and vagina, which we call thrush.

Even though it’s unpleasant, the good news is thrush usually clears up in one to two days after a course of antifungal medication.² If you notice that you’re having recurring thrush, it’s important to go see your GP as it can be associated with things like chronic fatigue, inflammatory bowel disease, and ulcers.^3,4

According to our inhouse nutritionists, Chandni Vadgama and Leila Weller-Kis, "the overgrowth of Candida is also more common in people with a reduced immune function, as well as those who have had extensive antibiotic treatments, are very run down or have large amounts of sugar and refined carbohydrates.”

The candida diet involves removing all flour, yeast and sugar, which you can replace with starch-free vegetables, proteins and healthy fats. Most plans also encourage taking supplements alongside to discourage yeast growth. According to Chandni, this is because “diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota, increasing the risk of Candida overgrowth. It's also beneficial to increase fibre intake and prebiotic-rich foods to help feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut.” In other words, you want your gut to welcome good bacteria but keep candida at bay.

For more info, we’ve put together a more extensive article on what the microbiome is.

Many scientists dispute the efficacy of the candida diet. Still, a recent study has revealed that certain sugars and carbohydrates encourage yeast growth.5 Another recent study proposed that increases in candida globally is due to increased consumption of carbohydrates.⁶

Dieticians who advocate the candida diet advise following the plan for six weeks, as that’s enough time to reset your gut’s microbiome.⁷ Be advised that if you have any medical conditions, please consult with your doctor before adopting the candida diet. It’s a highly restrictive diet which eliminates carbohydrates, a major food group.

When you first adopt the candida diet, you may experience symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and headaches. This is because the body’s entering a ketogenic state as it starts to burn fat now there are no carbohydrates in your system.⁸ But if you’re worried, we suggest speaking to your GP before starting a new or restrictive diet.

While on a candida diet, you’re advised to cook with lean proteins, mono- and polyunsaturated fats, and leafy green vegetables. You shouldn’t have more than 60g of carbohydrates each day though.

So, the evidence might be light but the good news is eating foods that are good for your gut can’t be a bad thing! It’s important to do your research and make sure you’re not restricting yourself so much that it makes you miserable. And remember, any concerns around thrush or recurring thrush, speak to your GP.