This might be a bit too much information for some people. Please bear in mind that this is specific to me and will be different for anyone else.
Early December, I decided to make an appointment with a Nutritionist. The main reason was to talk about my vegetarian diet and make sure I was getting everything I needed from my diet. After a 2 hour session, the results were definitely enlightening and seriously, some of the questions they ask are really personal. You have to be prepared to talk about every aspect of your body and it's functions and yes, that means your bowel movements including its regularity, consistency and colour. It's really handy to have a sense of humour about it all.
I quite possibly have Candida Overgrowth in my gut. It's basically a fungal overgrowth that grows in the digestive system and feeds on food which has not been digested properly. I don't get thrush (which is NOT a sexually transmitted disease btw but another symptom of Candida) so I would never have picked up on it but my diet and the way I react to certain foods and other things like chemicals in and on my body points to this. I've also been using the pill for the past 12 years and used medication for anxiety in my teen and early 20 years. The way I react to certain foods suggests I also have a little liver damage. These are all contributing factors.
I didn't realise this but Candida is fairly common these days because our diets are based on a lot of processed food - sugar, yeast, alcohol etc. There are apparently other reasons you can get Candida Overgrowth but diet is the main factor and the best way to get rid of it and control it is through a proper diet.
I've also been eating far too many carbohydrates since going vegetarian (April 2007) and don't incorporate enough complete protein. I hate tofu but it looks like I better start liking it if I want to have a more balanced vegetarian diet.
Some of the suggestions I was given in changing my diet to start off with were:
- less sugar, sweetened foods - check labels!
- less alcohol
- less refined foods (carbs - cakes, biscuits, breads)
- less mushrooms and vinegar-y foods
- cut out dairy - opt for soy/rice/oat milk instead
- more cinnamon and garlic to help regulate blood sugars (and stop my sugar cravings)
- more nuts ie. brazil, almonds etc. but not peanuts
- must drink 2L water per day, especially on weekends when I don't
- increase protein intake by taking a bioceutical protein supplement daily (vegan) and/or increasing the amount of complete proteins in my diet eg. Quinoa is a complete protein which can be used to replace rice in meals and making sure I combine my incomplete proteins like beans and rice in one meal to form complete proteins
I'll go back to the Nutritionist and do a follow-up consult in a couple of months. I'll also go to my doctor and see what they think about the diagnosis and read up about it some more independently as well.
Everyday Yogini - we didn't really discuss how long I should make the changes for, I assumed *forever* with the actual diet but it's a good question to ask when I next see them. I wouldn't want to be taking a protein powder supplement for too long, it tastes so artificial.
Alexandra - yes, cheese and yoghurt are my down fall too and icecream even more so! But I used to love coffee too and went cold turkey. I don't miss it and found alternatives like chai and dandelion instead.
Superstar - you know what I'm talking about! The questions really make you think about everything and how it all relates. Pretty amazing stuff. I also want to do it all naturally. I tried the protein powder but it's not something I like. Some people love it. I rather just make sure I'm getting it from food.
17 comments:
I hope you will share more about this as time goes on. I agree that when I am completely free of sugar and dairy, I feel amazing. How long did you nutritionist recommend staying on this restricted diet to clear the candida?
Surpringly enough (for me), I found giving up sugar a lot easier to do than dairy. I don't even drink milk, but I had a lot of cheese and yogurt in my diet, that I really miss now. Particularly the cheese.
Of course, the holidays were a free-for-all but I'm slowly getting back to eliminating the sugar and the dairy.
Please, share more about this s you progress with it.
hey
great to hear about what the nutritionist recommend.
I went to see a naturopath a few months ago and learnt alot. Some of what he said is similar to what you have been told.
I have been back to see him a few times since and every time he asks me about my bowel movements!
I do eat meat but he had never told me to eat red meat. been told to eat eggs, chicken or fish to get my protein. I am not missing red meat at all.
I found it interesting to learn about what fuel is best for your body.
Will be interested to hear how it goes.
Sugar is the enemy isn't it? This sounds very interesting Mary. I would love to hear more about it too.
I once went on a 3month dietry change for medical reasons, where I had no processed foods, no wheat, sugar, alcohol or meat (except a little fish) and by the end of it, i felt AMAZING!! Wholefoods and natural foods are really phenomenal.
What nutritionist did you see hon?
(ps - I'll get you liking tofu yet ;0)
This is something that I had considered when I was suffering from the undiagnosed badness within. I'm still having a few issues too. I did a bit of research into Candida overgrowth as I was on the pill for 10 years and prone to recurrent thrush (sorry if that's too much info!). It disappeared when I cut the Pill yet I still have the occasional bout of dodginess. I hear you on the carbs, that trap is far too easy to fall into.
I'm interested in following your progress on this as it's something I'm still considering doing (though in my current state, it probably isn't advisable :S). Just curious, how come you have to eat less mushrooms?
Happy New Year Mary!!! Good luck with all your plans for 2008 xx
That is all very interesting. It is amazing what different foods can do to us. I have a story to tell about my experience with mushrooms, but it is a bit long so I will blog about it soon.
Interesting post. Don't knock tofu just yet. There are so many forms to take it in--Edamame, baked tofu, countless products use it at the natural foods store (like Boca Burgers). TVP is another great source for protein and can be used like ground beef--perhaps your nutritionalist already covered all this. I even buy a frozen pizza by Amy's (not sure if you all get it down under) with Soy cheese--normally I dislike soy cheese, but on this pizza, it's pretty tasty.
My son has trouble with dairy and a good friend recommended Almond Milk--she said it contains a lot of Calcium.
Finally, I'd love to hear your thoughts on detox. I have tried various programs in the past, but unlike your experience they left me wiped out and exhausted!
Best of luck to you!
I have been contemplating going to a nutritionist/dietitian for Phoebe with her gluten intolerance and peanut allergy and trying to get a good balance. I know that I have done 7 nutrition papers myself but often it's better to listen to someone else say it all!! And it's easier!!
Good on you, will watch with interest.
Have a good book Ultimate Health and it has heaps on Candida and blood sugars etc, it is written by a doctor who went on to study natural therapies. I did a lot of post about some of the chapters a while back.
If you want I can send it to you to peruse and then you can send it back, if you can't find it in the local library. I don't mind sharing. Let me know. It is great and has heaps of great advice
Can you eat pistachios? I'm in love with them atm.
This is very interesting, I never heard of Candida Overgrowth before. Why are things that taste so yummy turn out to be so bad for you? Except for garlic, garlic is awesome. I can't wait to see how you progress.
This is very interesting - thanks for taking the time to share.
I am such a baby about my diet. I saw a nutritionist about 15 yrs ago, and she recommended no meat, no dairy, no coffee (of course no sugar) and gave me a cookbook. I read it, cried, and three days later threw it out. I know I could feel so much better and be healthier, but I am unwilling to make the changes. I admire anyone that can and does!
It's difficult. I'm in the midst of eliminating crap from my diet. The only thing that is really causing me trouble, is tea. You know when you have a sweet craving, and you could always fall back on some milky tea.
Cinnamon? I never knew that, wonder what is like with hot water...
I know I have a lot of the Candida symptoms and in the last 6 weeks or so I've made some huge changes which have been doing me wonders. No more tummy issues and the biggie for me is tinea on 2 of my toes which has been reoccuring for about 6 years - totally gone :)
Look forward to reading more.
Firstly, Happy new Year Mary!
Secondly, all very interesting stuff, i'd be keen to look at this sort of thing myself. At the moment I'm doing a bit of a detox for a post xmas (well post december really!) clean out and to be honest, I'm really really missing the carbs and dairy like crazy! We went out for dinner tonight and I had a very nice chicken and salad dish, but I was totally salavating at my boyfriends steak sammie with crumbed onion rings, wedges and sour cream! However, after a matter of days, I feel lighter and look a bit slimmer.
I did have a bit of a headache on day three (its day 6) but otherwise I'm coping.
After two weeks, carbs and limited dairy will be going back into my diet, and I'm really looking forward to a nice piece of grainy bread - One or two slices tho, instead of six slices of white toast with butter and vegemite!
happy new year babes! missed you!! not home yet but look forward to reading more after getting there. I'm intrigued by your experience. If you really hate tofu after so many experiences, don't bother.. there are always dry roasted soynuts at 16g protein per 30g it's a great source, they taste great too :) Not to mention hemp protein powder in morning juices/smoothies. Quinoa is so delicious! Have you tried it before?
hughug
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