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Can I Eat Bacon on a Candida Diet?

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Reduce the risk of Candida overgrowth that often leads to infection by starting your Candida diet today. Read on for our list of foods to eat and avoid below.

A candida diet is an eating plan designed to help reduce candida overgrowth in the body. It involves eliminating foods that may feed candida, including refined carbs and sugar. Many people wonder if they can eat bacon on a candida diet, since it’s a popular meat product. Here’s what you need to know about eating bacon with candida.

What is Candida?

Candida albicans is a type of yeast that naturally lives in the body. It is found in the mouth, gut, and vagina and is considered part of the normal microbiome.

However, when candida begins to overpopulate, it can cause a condition known as candidiasis or candida overgrowth This leads to various digestive issues and symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, recurring infections, and skin issues

Several factors can cause candida overgrowth including

  • A diet high in sugar and refined carbs
  • Impaired immune system
  • High alcohol intake
  • Chronic stress
  • Some medications like antibiotics and birth control pills

To prevent and treat candida overgrowth, healthcare providers often recommend following a candida diet.

What is a Candida Diet?

A candida diet is a nutritional plan that eliminates foods that may worsen candida overgrowth. It focuses on whole, unprocessed foods that are low in added sugars.

Foods to eat on a candida diet include:

  • Non-starchy vegetables – broccoli, spinach, kale, carrots
  • Lean proteins – chicken, turkey, eggs, wild fish
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Healthy oils – olive oil, coconut oil
  • Low-sugar fruits – berries, grapefruit, green apples

Foods to avoid on a candida diet include:

  • Sugar and refined carbs – cookies, cakes, white bread, pasta
  • Processed foods
  • High-sugar fruits – bananas, grapes, mangos
  • Starchy vegetables – potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn
  • Alcohol, soft drinks, fruit juice
  • Dairy, if you have an intolerance

The length of the diet can vary based on the severity of your symptoms. Many healthcare providers recommend following it strictly for at least 4-8 weeks. After that, you can slowly reintroduce certain foods while monitoring symptoms.

Can You Eat Bacon on a Candida Diet?

So can you enjoy crispy bacon on a candida-fighting diet? Unfortunately, most nutrition experts recommend avoiding or limiting bacon and other processed meats while on the diet.

Here are some reasons why bacon is discouraged on a candida diet:

  • High in sodium – The average slice of bacon contains over 300 mg of sodium. High-sodium foods may promote inflammation and potentially stimulate yeast growth.

  • May contain added sugars – Many brands of bacon contain added sugars as part of the curing process. Added sugars should be avoided on an anti-candida diet.

  • Has nitrates/nitrites – Processed meats like bacon are treated with sodium nitrate or nitrite to preserve color and extend shelf life. Nitrates and nitrites can form cancer-causing compounds in the body.

  • Can be contaminated – Pork products are more prone to contamination than other meats. Bacon can occasionally harbor pathogens like salmonella.

  • High in saturated fat – While the role of saturated fat and candida is debated, bacon is very high in saturated fat. Some researchers believe saturated fats may promote candida overgrowth.

Healthier Meat Options for a Candida Diet

So what meat and protein foods can you eat on a candida diet? Here are some good options:

  • Organic chicken or turkey
  • Grass-fed beef
  • Wild-caught fish like salmon or trout
  • Organic eggs
  • Unsalted nuts and seeds

Choosing organic, hormone-free, antibiotic-free meats may help minimize contaminants and added ingredients. Portioning animal protein to 4-6 oz per meal and focusing on plant-based protein is also recommended.

Occasional Bacon in Moderation

While most healthcare providers advise avoiding processed meats like bacon while on a candida diet, eating it occasionally in moderation is unlikely to significantly impact candida or disrupt your progress.

If you want to incorporate occasional bacon, here are some tips:

  • Choose uncured bacon without added sugars
  • Limit to 1-2 slices 2-3 times per week
  • Eat bacon with lots of vegetables
  • Avoid bacon as a main protein source

Listening to your body is key. If you notice increased candida symptoms after eating bacon, it’s best to avoid it during your anti-candida diet and focus on healthier proteins.

Other Tips for Following a Candida Diet

Here are some other tips to support your candida diet and fight candida overgrowth:

  • Stay hydrated by drinking 8-10 glasses of filtered water daily
  • Reduce alcohol intake
  • Manage stress levels with yoga, meditation, or journaling
  • Take anti-fungal supplements like caprylic acid
  • Get enough rest and sleep
  • Avoid excessive antibiotic use
  • Limit fruit intake to low-sugar berries
  • Choose gluten-free grains like brown rice and quinoa

Summary

Most healthcare practitioners advise avoiding bacon and other processed meats while following a candida diet. Bacon is high in sodium, saturated fat, nitrates, and possibly sugar – all things that may stimulate yeast growth.

However, eating a few slices of bacon occasionally will likely not majorly impact your candida overgrowth. Moderation is key, as is listening to your body’s response. Focus on incorporating healthy, whole food proteins like chicken, fish, eggs, and plant foods instead.

Following an anti-candida diet that is low in sugar along with other positive lifestyle factors can help treat candida overgrowth and restore balance to your gut and health.

can i eat bacon on candida diet

Candida Diet | What’s Good to Eat and What’s Not

Candida albicans is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in the mouth, GI tract, and vagina. If it grows too much, it can cause an infection.

can i eat bacon on candida diet

Choosing gluten-free foods is one of the best ways to lower your risk of getting a Candida yeast infection. Not only people with celiac disease but also people who don’t have it can have health problems from gluten. Gluten can make your gut swell up all the time, which can damage the lining of your intestines. To help you get your diet back on track, here are some non-glutenous grains that you can eat instead of bread and pasta:

  • Quinoa
  • Oat Bran
  • Brown rice
  • Buckwheat
  • Amaranth
  • Millet
  • Sorghum

2. Low-Sugar Fruits

While fruits are generally known to be an essential part of a balanced diet, some of these contain high levels of sugar that can trigger Candida overgrowth. Candida albicans need sugar to reproduce and expand their colonies in your gut. Also, sugar help Candida create biofilms that protect them from your immune system. You dont want that. So as early as now, switch to low-sugar fruits and make it a habit to avoid sugar in general. To further guide you in your Candida diet, heres a list of fruits low in sugar that you can eat:

  • Orange
  • Lemon
  • Lime
  • Watermelon
  • Avocado
  • Kiwi
  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Cantaloupe
  • Olives
  • Grapefruit
  • Apples
  • Peaches

3. Non-Starchy Veggies

can i eat bacon on candida diet

Like fruits, some vegetables are good for you while others are not. Eat only vegetables that aren’t starchy if you want to get rid of Candida or lower your risk of getting it. Once more, our goal is to get rid of the sugar so the Candida colonies will go hungry and stop making more of themselves. Heres a list of common non-starchy veggies you can start munching on:

  • Asparagus
  • Artichoke
  • Broccoli
  • Zucchini
  • Eggplant
  • Bamboo shoots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Cucumber
  • Cabbage
  • Brussel sprouts

4. Healthy Proteins

Proteins are also recommended for those who are taking their Candida diet seriously. When you cut back on sugar and carbs, your body needs nutrients to heal. Proteins are a good way to get those nutrients. Chicken, beef, eggs, and fish– just take your pick and eat these meats moderately. For a safer diet, here are a few things to consider when eating meats:

  • Opt for organic and fresh meat packed with nutrients.
  • Cutting back on red meat can help your digestion and keep you from getting a GI tract infection.
  • Choose the pasture-raised and hormone-free meat.
  • Stick to smaller fish to avoid contaminants.

5. Fermented Foods

can i eat bacon on candida diet

Another way to keep your gut clean and healthy is by fermenting your foods. Doing this will help increase the good bacteria in your gut, getting rid of the bad ones that may soon cause Candida infestation. Probiotics help regulate gastrointestinal pH which promotes healthy digestion.

A Dietitian Explains the Candida Diet | You Versus Food | Well+Good

FAQ

What meat is OK on candida diet?

As with vegetables, fresh meat is considered the best option. Lean meat options available to dieters on this program include beef, lamb, chicken, and turkey. Fish is also highly recommended. Wild salmon, anchovies, herring, and sardines can help round out the food list for meat-eating Candida dieters.

Can I eat pork if I have Candida?

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.

What foods make Candida worse?

People following the candida diet limit or avoid certain foods, such as sugar, gluten, alcohol, and some dairy products, that may promote the growth of Candida yeast in the body. The diet also involves eating healthful fats and anti-inflammatory foods. These recommendations make for a healthful diet for most people.

Is mozzarella cheese ok on a candida diet?

This is because Candida prevents the body from processing fat properly. At the very least dieters should eliminate aged cheeses – a small amount of swiss or mozzarella cheese every once in a while should not hurt.

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