Healthy- Vegetables and the Candida Diet

One of the first things most people who embark on a diet do is increase the amount of vegetables that they consume. Vegetables are low in fat, extremely healthy and are packed with many essential minerals and nutrients which are a vital component to good health. It is speculated that a diet that contains a high amount of raw vegetables may actually be the healthiest for our bodies.

Eating a large amount of a variety of vegetables is especially important when trying to follow the candida diet. The candida diet is the cornerstone of treatment for a condition known as candidiasis. Candidiasis is characterized by an overgrowth of candida albicans in the digestive tract. Candida albicans is a benign type of yeast that is innately a part of everyones intestinal microflora. Candida albicans works in conjunction with beneficial bacteria to keep our digestive system running smoothly. This functioning is highly dependent on a delicate balance of Candida albicans and the beneficial bacteria. Unfortunately, due to numerous external factors this balance is often disrupted and allows the Candida albicans to morph into opportunistic organisms. When this happens toxins from the Candida albicans are released throughout the body causing a variety of seemingly unrelated health problems. These problems include but are not limited to headaches, chronic yeast infections, chronic bacterial vaginosis, PMS, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome. The candida diet seeks to restore balance to the intestinal microflora by greatly reducing the number of candida albicans by cutting off its food supply. Yeast feeds on a numerous foods and ingredients but especially on glutinous grains and processed/sugary foods. When following the candida diet one must refrain from consuming such products and many others. While many choose to just fill up on protein in the form of meat, fish and eggs, many forget that it is beneficial to also fill up on vegetables to reap additional health benefits that will only help with overcoming candidiasis. The following are some vegetables that you can and should eat freely on the candida diet.

Asparagus is low in carbohydrates and packed with essential vitamins and nutrients such as, calcium and folic acid. It is especially known for its high level of anti-oxidants which are known to help prevent cancer. It is also implicated in the alleviation of symptoms of other diseases.

Bell Peppers are an excellent source of vitamins C and A. These high concentrations of vitamins C and A are present due to the beta-carotene and carotenoids found in bell peppers. Beta-Carotene and Carotenoids help prevent free radical damage in the body which are speculated to be the cause of many diseases.

Broccoli is packed with essential vitamins and nutrients and has many documented health benefits. Broccolis cancer prevention benefits and immune boosting properties make it a great choose for any diet but especially the candida diet.

Cucumbers are such great tasting additions to salads and are coincidentally great for your complexion. It is the silica in cucumbers that benefits the skin and other connective tissue.

Eggplant is rich in antioxidants which makes it another free radical fighter.

These are just a few of the many vegetables that you can be enjoying on the candida diet. For more information on living yeast free by following the candida diet visit Yeast Free Living.

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