What is a Yeast Free Diet?
A yeast free diet is not, at first, what you may think.
It isn't about not eating bread or doughnuts, or even not drinking beer.
Yes, certain types of yeast are used in making beer.
This is one of those times the English language has turned things upside down and in fact a yeast free diet means foods that do not contain yeast and also foods that do not feed the yeast inside our bodies.
Your question may be now "What do you mean Yeast in our bodies?" Well, technically it isn't yeast; it's a fungus that has yeast type attributes.
This means that it likes the same type of places, warm and damp.
Usually it is found in the mouth, the stomach and the vagina.
The yeast will feed on a variety of foods such as sugars, fermented products, processed foods and 'mold' foods like cheese.
Commonly the main variant is called Candida albicans and is used as a blanket term for all the other variants as well.
Under normal circumstances our bodies are able to keep unhealthy bacteria and other organisms under control but this isn't always the case especially after or during an illness.
This reduction in the beneficial bacteria in the body gives the candida yeast time to grow and establish roots in the intestinal tract.
This in turn allows the toxins produced by the candida to penetrate the bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body.
The spreading of the toxins is generally in extreme cases but does answer the question why more people are having problems with headaches, acne, overweight and depression.
Combined with the toxins we absorb from pollution it becomes a real problem.
One of the major reasons for the outbreak of candida albicans in individuals is the use of antibiotics and other drugs.
While the antibiotics kill the offending bacteria they are intended for, they also attack 'good' bacteria, thus in effect weakening the immune system.
The next question is "Can it be cured?" The basic answer to this is 'No'.
The bacteria and organisms are a part of our natural environment and play their own part in everyday life.
However, they do need to be kept under control and there are simple methods to follow to do that.
The main thing to do is to stop feeding the excessive growth of candida albicans.
You may think that this would affect your overall health but the growth is already reducing the amount of nutrients you absorb.
A special diet is the answer and, become a geeky label reader.
Cut out processed and refined sugars also chocolate and sweets.
Fresh fruit, fruit juice, soda, fizzy pop and ice cream.
Bread made with wheat flour, cakes, biscuits and crackers.
Processed and smoked meats like bacon.
Fresh and tinned tomatoes, and all types of mushrooms.
Milk and cheese.
Vinegar, beer, wine, spirits and any other fermented sauces like soy sauce.
This would include foods that contain these like mayonnaise and tomato ketchup.
The reason for eliminating some of the foods should be obvious but others may not be.
Vinegar and mold foods are thought to complement the candida albicans by attacking good bacteria.
The same with cheese, mushrooms and wheat flour.
Milk contains antibiotics that are fed to the cows, also milk contains growth hormones and trace pesticides which is another good reason to stop giving it to your kids.
This is by no means a full and exhaustive list as to what you should or shouldn't eat to combat candida albicans.
Ultimately the decision comes down to you and what you feel good with.
However, there is growing evidence that certain foods are no longer safe to eat.
It isn't about not eating bread or doughnuts, or even not drinking beer.
Yes, certain types of yeast are used in making beer.
This is one of those times the English language has turned things upside down and in fact a yeast free diet means foods that do not contain yeast and also foods that do not feed the yeast inside our bodies.
Your question may be now "What do you mean Yeast in our bodies?" Well, technically it isn't yeast; it's a fungus that has yeast type attributes.
This means that it likes the same type of places, warm and damp.
Usually it is found in the mouth, the stomach and the vagina.
The yeast will feed on a variety of foods such as sugars, fermented products, processed foods and 'mold' foods like cheese.
Commonly the main variant is called Candida albicans and is used as a blanket term for all the other variants as well.
Under normal circumstances our bodies are able to keep unhealthy bacteria and other organisms under control but this isn't always the case especially after or during an illness.
This reduction in the beneficial bacteria in the body gives the candida yeast time to grow and establish roots in the intestinal tract.
This in turn allows the toxins produced by the candida to penetrate the bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body.
The spreading of the toxins is generally in extreme cases but does answer the question why more people are having problems with headaches, acne, overweight and depression.
Combined with the toxins we absorb from pollution it becomes a real problem.
One of the major reasons for the outbreak of candida albicans in individuals is the use of antibiotics and other drugs.
While the antibiotics kill the offending bacteria they are intended for, they also attack 'good' bacteria, thus in effect weakening the immune system.
The next question is "Can it be cured?" The basic answer to this is 'No'.
The bacteria and organisms are a part of our natural environment and play their own part in everyday life.
However, they do need to be kept under control and there are simple methods to follow to do that.
The main thing to do is to stop feeding the excessive growth of candida albicans.
You may think that this would affect your overall health but the growth is already reducing the amount of nutrients you absorb.
A special diet is the answer and, become a geeky label reader.
Cut out processed and refined sugars also chocolate and sweets.
Fresh fruit, fruit juice, soda, fizzy pop and ice cream.
Bread made with wheat flour, cakes, biscuits and crackers.
Processed and smoked meats like bacon.
Fresh and tinned tomatoes, and all types of mushrooms.
Milk and cheese.
Vinegar, beer, wine, spirits and any other fermented sauces like soy sauce.
This would include foods that contain these like mayonnaise and tomato ketchup.
The reason for eliminating some of the foods should be obvious but others may not be.
Vinegar and mold foods are thought to complement the candida albicans by attacking good bacteria.
The same with cheese, mushrooms and wheat flour.
Milk contains antibiotics that are fed to the cows, also milk contains growth hormones and trace pesticides which is another good reason to stop giving it to your kids.
This is by no means a full and exhaustive list as to what you should or shouldn't eat to combat candida albicans.
Ultimately the decision comes down to you and what you feel good with.
However, there is growing evidence that certain foods are no longer safe to eat.
