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You are what you eat.

Whether you agree or disagree with this popular statement, there's no denying that the food you put into your body significantly affects your body's performance, appearance and ultimate health. People who battle candida are especially affected by the types of foods they eat, so it is important to understand how food choices can exacerbate or heal this condition.

Those who deal with candida are actually experiencing a candida overgrowth in their bodies. What was once a healthy yeast protecting the body's intestinal flora, candida can overgrow and become a yeast problem when the body's immune system is low. Other factors that may cause candida overgrowth include an acidic pH level, high sugar diet, and/or use of antibiotics.

The objective involved in controlling a candida overgrowth is three-fold:

1. You want to stop feeding the yeast.
2. You want to cause the overgrowth of the candida to die-off.
3. You want to provide your body with nutrients to pump up the immune system.

One can actually complete each of the three objectives by utilizing the proper nutrition'avoiding the candida-promoting foods and eating the right anti-candida foods.

Foods to Avoid on a Candida Diet

Before you go on to learn about the many delicious and healthy foods you can enjoy, let's get the no-no list out of the way. Here are a few items to avoid as you wage the war against candida:

- Avoid processed, high-sugar, white flour-containing products, including crackers, baked goods, white breads, ice cream and pre-packaged meals.

- When dining out, select salads with low-sugar dressing or non-fried protein and vegetable items.

- Avoid coating meat or vegetables in flour or another type of breading.

- Limit consumption of high-glycemic fruits and vegetables such as bananas, grapes, sweet corn and potatoes.

- Eliminate all sugary drinks from your diet, including soda, alcohol and fruit juices.

Foods to Eat on a Candida Diet

You don't have to starve or be miserable when you are ridding your body of candida. Instead of thinking about the foods you are missing, you can get creative and try new recipes and concoctions with fresh, nutritious foods. While you are improving your health, you may find that your taste buds learn to appreciate healthier fare and may even begin to find junk food less appealing.

When choosing foods for main dishes, select lean proteins, including meats, fish and poultry. The best cooking choices are grilling, broiling, baking or saut'ing in heart-healthy olive oil.

Fresh vegetables and low-sugar fruits will provide your body with the vitamins and minerals you need, plus they work in the fight to destroy the yeast overgrowth. Choose non-starchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, cucumbers, multi-colored peppers, cauliflower and onions. Garlic is another garden dweller that has the ability to strengthen the immune system and rid the body of fungus like candida.

Reach for the fruit choices that are low-glycemic like apples, citrus fruits and berries. In order to stay on the low-end of sugar consumption, keep the fruit servings to 2-3 per day.

Another super-candida-killer food is plain, no sugar added yogurt. It has plenty of healthy bacteria that can fight the candida overgrowth. A serving of this yogurt with fresh berries is a great way to start your day or end a meal.

Taking control of your nutrition and doing what's right for your body is a way to empower yourself against candida. There's no reason to suffer from the many symptoms that result from a candida overgrowth. By utilizing good nutrition, you can experience immediate relief of many symptoms and will be well on your way to ridding the yeast from your body for good.