There are a lot of different ways to understand the Candida diet online. Some of them say you shouldn’t eat any protein at all. This can leave very little to eat! Luckily, there’s no need to remove animal protein from your diet. In fact, it can form a nutritious part of your balanced Candida diet.
While this diet doesn’t say you can’t eat animal protein, we do suggest that you stay away from certain kinds of meat and fish that may be bad for your gut health.
Some evidence suggests that certain animal proteins may help bacteria grow too much in your gut, which can cause Candida to take over. However, avoiding sugars is far more important for beating your Candida. Eating meat or fish in moderate quantities will not hurt your Candida diet.
Can You Eat Shrimp on the Candida Diet? The Complete Guide
The Candida diet has become a popular way for people to improve their gut health and reduce symptoms associated with Candida overgrowth But can you still enjoy shrimp while following this restrictive diet plan? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about eating shrimp on the Candida diet.
What is the Candida Diet?
The Candida diet doesn’t allow foods like sugar, grains, alcohol, and starchy vegetables. It is low in sugar and reduces inflammation. Candida albicans is a yeast that naturally lives in the body. Its job is to stop an overgrowth of it. When Candida grows too much, it can lead to tiredness, digestive problems, skin issues, and yeast infections that keep coming back.
The diet works to rebalance your gut microbiome by cutting out inflammatory foods that may feed Candida overgrowth. It encourages antifungal foods, healthy fats and non-starchy vegetables to restore gut health. Many people follow the Candida diet short-term, then slowly reintroduce foods.
Research on the effectiveness of the Candida diet is limited. But some studies suggest it may reduce Candida levels and relieve associated symptoms. More research is still needed, especially on the long-term effects.
Can You Eat Shrimp on the Candida Diet?
The good news is shrimp is allowed on the Candida diet. Shrimp provides lean protein, vitamins and minerals. But it’s important to choose high quality, wild-caught shrimp and eat it in moderation.
When you’re on the Candida diet, here are some important things you should know about shrimp:
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Focus on wild-caught shrimp: Shrimp can absorb contaminants like pesticides from the environment. Over 90% of shrimp consumed in the U.S. is imported and may contain antibiotics, so opt for wild-caught shrimp when possible.
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Limit portion sizes: Stick to 3-4 oz servings a few times per week. Going overboard may congest your liver, which could worsen Candida symptoms.
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Pair with gut-healthy foods: Enjoy shrimp alongside non-starchy veggies, healthy fats and probiotic-rich foods to support gut health.
Potential Benefits of Shrimp on the Candida Diet
When chosen wisely and eaten in moderation, shrimp offers several benefits:
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Rich source of protein: Shrimp provides around 20g protein per 3 oz serving to support immune function and muscle growth.
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Packed with B12: A serving of shrimp delivers 59% of your daily vitamin B12 needs, which aids red blood cell production.
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Provides selenium: Shrimp contains the antioxidant mineral selenium, which may help reduce oxidative damage and inflammation.
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High in phosphorus: Shrimp offers phosphorus, which works with calcium to build strong bones and teeth.
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Contains omega-3s: It provides anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA that are beneficial for heart and brain health.
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May support heart health: Despite its cholesterol content, studies link shrimp consumption to improvements in heart health markers.
Potential Drawbacks of Shrimp on the Candida Diet
There are a couple potential drawbacks to keep in mind:
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High purine content: Purines can increase uric acid, so those with gout may want to avoid or limit shrimp.
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Possible contaminants: Imported, farm-raised shrimp often contains antibiotic residues, which may disrupt gut flora balance.
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Can be high in sodium: Frozen and processed shrimp can pack a lot of added sodium per serving. Check labels and opt for fresh.
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Contains natural toxins: Shrimp contains purine compounds that may pose health risks when frequently consumed in large amounts.
Tips for Choosing Quality Shrimp on the Candida Diet
Focus on these tips when buying shrimp to limit exposure to contaminants:
- Look for wild-caught shrimp over farmed shrimp
- Choose shrimp sourced from northern cold waters like Canada
- Check for certification from programs like Seafood Watch
- Opt for fresh shrimp when possible, rather than frozen
- Avoid imported shrimp from Asia or shrimp farmed in contaminated waters
- Don’t purchase preprocessed, preseasoned or fried shrimp
- Read labels and aim for shrimp with no added preservatives or sodium
How to Enjoy Shrimp on the Candida Diet
Here are some delicious ways to eat Candida diet-friendly shrimp:
- Lightly sauté with olive oil, garlic and lemon
- Make zucchini noodle shrimp scampi using chicken broth
- Add to a veggie stir fry with broccoli, peppers and carrots
- Enjoy in a spinach salad topped with avocado and olive oil
- Mix into egg scramble with onions, spinach and mushrooms
- Pair with roasted cauliflower rice in coconut curry shrimp
- Steam shrimp and serve with avocado slices over salad greens
Sample Meal Plan with Shrimp on the Candida Diet
Here’s what a day may look like on the Candida diet with shrimp:
Breakfast:
- Veggie omelet with shrimp, spinach, onions and mushrooms
- Side of avocado slices
Lunch:
- Shrimp salad spinach wrap (no bread) with carrots, tomato, avocado and olive oil
- Cucumber dill salad
Dinner:
- Coconut curry shrimp over cauliflower rice
- Side salad of mixed greens, cabbage, radish and olive oil lemon dressing
Snack:
- Hard boiled eggs
- Fresh berries
Should You Avoid Any Types of Shrimp on the Candida Diet?
Some types of shrimp are better to avoid on the Candida diet, including:
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Imported, farm-raised shrimp: More likely to contain antibiotic residues, pesticides and contaminants
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Preprocessed shrimp: Often higher in preservatives, salt, added sugars and sulfites
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Imitation shrimp: Made of processed fish meat and potential additives
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Shrimp scampi: Made with white wine or heavy butter and seasoning
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Breaded or fried shrimp: The breading contains inflammatory grains and sugars
The Verdict: Is Shrimp a Good Choice on the Candida Diet?
Overall, shrimp can be part of a gut-healthy Candida diet when chosen wisely. Focus on high quality, wild-caught shrimp in moderate portions a few times per week. Avoid imported, farmed and heavily processed shrimp. Pair it with plenty of non-starchy vegetables, probiotics and healthy fats. Listen to your body and adjust your consumption based on how you feel. Shrimp offers protein, vitamins and minerals to support your Candida diet success.
How can animal protein enable a Candida overgrowth?
Repeated studies have shown that animal proteins are metabolized into a number of byproducts in the intestines, one of which is ammonia. In fact, a 2009 study (see here) showed that participants on a high-meat diet excreted twice as much ammonia as those on a low-meat diet. This ammonia increases the pH level of your colon, making it more alkaline.
An alkaline colon is the perfect environment for your Candida overgrowth to flourish. In fact, Candida itself actively makes your colon more alkaline (ammonia is a byproduct of Candida too!). The regular pH of your colon should be somewhere between 5. 5 and 7. 0, i. e. slightly acidic. This acidity helps you to digest food and forms an important part of your immune system. If you eat too much animal protein, especially red meat, it can throw off your pH level and make it easy for Candida to grow.
Research has also linked excess ammonia in the gut to colorectal cancer. A study in 2000 (see here) found that “Ammonia exhibits a number of effects that suggest that it may be involved in tumor promotion.”
Is Shrimp Okay On The Candida Diet?
Can you eat fish if you have Candida?
LIVER ONE to process and remove the toxins created by Candida. – CANDASSIST to inhibit and weaken the Candida colonies in your gut. – PROBIOTIC to replace the Candida yeast with probiotic bacteria. Small amounts of meat and fish are OK on the Candida diet, but there are some types of meat and fish that can actually make your Candida worse.
Can I eat raw shrimp?
Eating raw shrimp is not recommended. Raw shrimp can contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning. It is also a good source of purines, which can trigger gout attacks. If you want to eat shrimp, cook it thoroughly to reduce the risk of food poisoning and to help prevent gout attacks. Cook shrimp until it is opaque and pink to ensure that it is safe to eat.
Should you eat a Candida diet?
For that reason, some recommend a candida diet — a low-sugar, low-carb diet — to eradicate excess yeast and bring the gut back into balance. Yet this approach is not without its detractors. Importantly, many experts say the diet is largely unproven, and any benefit is likely the result of a general improvement in eating habits.
Can salmon eat a Candida diet?
A wild-caught fish like salmon is a main course that complies with the candida diet. Trinette Reed/Stocksy Yeast overgrowth can cause a host of far-ranging problems, from physical to cognitive and mental, some experts say.