The Candida Diet: Can You Really Starve Away This Annoying Infection?

One natural treatment option for candida overgrowth is the candida diet. While there are no studies confirming the effectiveness of this eating pattern, many people believe you can starve away candida by restricting certain foods.

Risk factors for candida overgrowth include those with weakened immune systems such as adults in the ICU or infants in the NICU; those taking specific medications like antibiotics, corticosteroids, birth control, or anticancer drugs; and those with excessive moisture on susceptible areas of skin such as the fold under the breasts, the groin, diaper area, or hands that are constantly in gloves. Also, people with diabetes, those eating a diet high in simple carbohydrates and refined sugars and low in fiber, and anyone under chronic stress may alter the balance of their healthy gut flora, which may predispose them to candida overgrowth.

While there are no published studies on the combination of diet recommendations that comprise the whole candida diet, there is evidence that suggests that some components of the diet may reduce candida growth and improve symptoms. The diet is sometimes preceded by a more restrictive cleanse period; however, there is no scientific evidence that a candida cleanse will improve candidiasis.

Here is a list of foods that are commonly discouraged when trying to manage candida overgrowth:

Sucrose, the combination of glucose and fructose in sweetened foods, has been found to increase the risk for candida overgrowth in the oral cavity. Watch out for it in sweetened drinks, yogurt, desserts, baked goods, and more.

Glucose, the main carbohydrate found in white-flour-based goods like pasta, pastries, and baked goods; white rice; and bread, has been linked with a higher risk of candida adhesion to skin cells. In fact, a 2013 study2 found recent carbohydrate intake was associated with more candida growth in the GI tract. But some research has questioned the link between carbohydrates candida growth3. One such study that did not show carbohydrates increased candida growth was done in healthy subjects, though not those already experiencing symptoms or those already diagnosed.

Galactose is a simple sugar found in dairy products and has been identified as a promoter of candida adhesion to human cells. Lactose-containing dairy products are the main source of galactose.

Fermentation, the process by which popular alcoholic beverages are created, is discouraged on the candida diet. This is because these products contain yeasts. One study4 found alcohol negatively affects gut flora, intestinal permeability, and inflammation. However, another study showed that alcohol intake did not affect the growth of candida in the mouth5.

Some proponents of the candida diet also recommend limiting/excluding root and starchy vegetables, legumes, caffeine, mushrooms, and high-mercury fish in addition to the list above to treat candida overgrowth. There is little to no evidence to suggest that limiting these additional foods will improve candidiasis. 

Embarking on a restrictive diet can feel overwhelming. Here are some foods you can still enjoy if you are trying a candida diet; some may even help kill candida:

Not sure where to start? Check out these six recipes for the candida diet.

If you have an eating disorder or suffer from unintentional weight loss or malabsorptive conditions, do not try the candida diet without consent from your doctor.