Milk and the candida diet

“Milk makes a good body.” I’m sure many of you remember seeing commercials and / or billboards with this slogan from the National Dairy Council promoting the health benefits of milk. More recently, I have seen advertisements for dairy products that contribute to weight loss. In addition, mothers around the world emphasize that their children drink plenty of milk to grow strong and healthy. So if milk is so good for you, why is it off-limits on the Candida diet?

The Candida diet is the cornerstone of treatment for a medical condition known as candidiasis. This condition is characterized by an overgrowth of yeast (Candida) in the intestinal system. External factors such as overuse of antibiotics, which kill all intestinal bacteria, and a diet rich in processed / sugary foods, which feed Candida, contribute to causing an imbalance in the intestinal system. When the natural balance of the intestinal system is disturbed, Candida grows and becomes an opportunistic microorganism that causes ailments throughout the body. The Candida diet strives to restore balance to the intestinal system by cutting off the food supply of Candida. It is the sugar content of milk that is of concern to the Candida dieter and is therefore prohibited in the diet. Lactose, the sugar found in milk, is also difficult for many people to digest and can cause gastrointestinal systems that only make yeast infections worse.

It is unfortunate that milk can aggravate yeast infections because milk is a great source of many essential vitamins for optimal health. I don’t know if there is a comparable natural food source that can provide as complete a source of calcium and vitamin D as cow’s milk does. So what should a Candida dieter do with milk? We sure don’t want to miss out on these nutrients while trying to restore our intestinal balance. Fortunately, due to the current common occurrence of lactose intolerance and food allergies, there are a wide variety of milk alternatives available that are fine for the Candida diet. Many of these milk alternatives are fortified with levels of calcium and vitamin D comparable to cow’s milk.

Soy milk seems to be one of the most widely used dairy alternatives. With brands like Silk right next to cow’s milk in the grocery store, most of us have taken note of this heart-healthy milk alternative. I use unsweetened soy milk a lot on the Candida diet. It has a consistency similar to that of cow’s milk and behaves as such in recipes. However, soy is one of the top eight allergens, so it may not be suitable for everyone.

Almond milk it is another popular alternative to milk. It is ideal for people who cannot consume soy due to sensitivity or allergy. I have not used almond milk because both of my children are very allergic to nuts. However, I have heard wonderful things about almond milk when it comes to both its taste and ease of use. Almonds are tree nuts, so they are also considered one of the top eight allergens and can pose problems for some.

Rice milk it is a good alternative to milk. This is what I use for my children because they are allergic, to varying degrees, to cow’s milk, soy, and tree nuts. Rice milk is excellent in cereals, but only mediocre in cooking. The consistency is very watery, so it cannot be used effectively in some recipes. It is also very sweet, even when using the unsweetened version. Rice milk is also high in carbohydrates, so it may not be ideal for Candida dieters, especially in the early stages of the diet.

Hemp milk seems to be the new kid on the block, but i haven’t used it yet. Contrary to what it seems, it is not illegal nor does it contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active chemical in marijuana. From what I’ve read, hemp milk has a creamy consistency and works well in the kitchen.

When choosing an alternative to milk, make sure it is unsweetened and does not contain any prohibited additives.

For more information on the Candida diet, visit Yeast Free Living.