Can I Drink Almond Milk On Candida Diet? The Full Guide

Are you on a Candida diet and wondering if you can still enjoy the delicious taste of almond milk?

Look no further! Almond milk is not only a tasty alternative to dairy milk, but it also offers numerous health benefits.

From aiding in weight maintenance to promoting healthy cholesterol levels, almonds are a great addition to any diet. Plus, the leftover pulp from making almond milk can be used in a variety of recipes, making it a zero-waste option.

But what about Candida? Can you still consume almond milk while on this diet?

Let’s dive into the details and find out.

Can I Drink Almond Milk On Candida Diet?

The short answer is yes, you can drink almond milk on a Candida diet. In fact, almonds are one of the best sources of fats that can help heal Candida overgrowth.

Candida thrives off acidic foods, so it’s important to consume alkaline foods to balance the body’s pH level. Almonds are one of the few alkaline nuts, making them a great addition to any Candida diet.

Almonds are also a fabulous source of protein and B vitamins, both of which are essential for fighting off Candida effectively. The fats in almonds are very calming, energizing, and can aid digestion, all of which help to effectively fight Candida and get sugar cravings in check.

When it comes to almond milk specifically, it’s important to choose a brand that doesn’t contain any additives or added sugars. Commercial almond milks are often fortified with calcium and lower in calories than cow’s milk, making them a suitable replacement for those who are allergic or intolerant to traditional milk.

If you’re making your own almond milk at home, be sure to spread the leftover pulp on a baking sheet and dehydrate it before using it in recipes. The dried pulp can be added to smoothies, chia pudding, oatmeal, porridge, dessert bowls, muffins, cakes, or brownies.

Understanding Candida Diet

Candida diet is a gut healing plan that aims to eliminate processed foods, added sugars, and difficult-to-digest starches that worsen leaky gut and encourage yeast overgrowth in a damaged gut. The diet involves eliminating grains (including corn), dairy, refined white sugar, honey, maple syrup, processed soy, processed foods, and some people may need to exclude difficult-to-digest polysaccharide starches like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cassava. Certain legumes may be okay for some people, and low-sugar fruits like blueberries and green apples are allowed in small amounts.

The diet also recommends consuming high quality, hormone-free protein at each meal from sustainable, antibiotic-free sources such as wild, cold water fatty fish or free-range chicken and turkey. Properly prepared legumes (soaked) can also be consumed if they don’t cause bloating. Beef/bison, lamb, and liver are also allowed. Plenty of fresh vegetables of all types should be consumed, focusing on leafy greens and cooked cruciferous vegetables which are excellent for detox. Cooked vegetables are easier for a damaged gut to digest. Potatoes and starchy root vegetables are also fine.

Good quality fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, and ghee should be used for cooking while vegetable oils should be avoided. Filtered water (at least 8 glasses/day) should be consumed to help flush toxins out of the body. Pau d’arco herbal tea (2-3 cups per day) and bone broth are recommended as well. Bone broth helps heal the gut while Pau d’Arco helps kill yeast.

Fermented foods such as raw kraut can also be added to the diet but kombucha should be avoided as it can actually feed yeast. Coconut water kefir contains good probiotics and enzymes that can aid digestion. An ounce of it can be taken daily. Coconut oil is a powerful yeast killer and boosts metabolism. It can be consumed or used in cooking (1-3 tbsp per day). Monolauric acid can also be used to control yeast and boost the immune system.

Apple cider vinegar (1 tsp in a little water) can be taken if needed to help digestion and detox, but all other vinegars should be avoided as Candida feeds on the sugars produced from this type of fermentation. It’s important to note that everyone’s healing diet will look different depending on their microbiome and health history. These are only guidelines, and some people may need more carbs than others. It’s also a myth that you need to avoid yeast-containing foods on a Candida protocol. Mushrooms are allowed despite what you may have heard.

Benefits Of Almond Milk

Almond milk has numerous benefits, making it an excellent choice for those on a Candida diet. One of the main benefits of almond milk is that it does not lose its vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants during processing and pasteurization. It is also lower in calories than cow’s milk and is considered a good source of Vitamin E and Vitamin A.

Almond milk is also a great source of polyphenols, including flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and tannins. These polyphenols are highly bioavailable to the body after consumption, providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral benefits.

For those with high cholesterol levels, almond milk can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels by lowering LDL-C or “bad” cholesterol and maintaining HDL-C or “good” cholesterol levels. This effect is mainly due to the fiber and unsaturated fat contents of almonds.

Almond milk is also a suitable replacement for cow’s milk for individuals who are allergic or intolerant to traditional milk. It is a great alternative for those on a Candida diet as it is plant-based, dairy-free, sugar-free, and oil-free.

Almond Milk And Candida: What You Need To Know

Almond milk is a great alternative to traditional milk for those on a Candida diet. As mentioned above, almonds are alkaline nuts that can help balance the body’s pH level and fight off Candida overgrowth.

However, it’s important to choose almond milk that doesn’t contain any additives or added sugars. Many commercial brands of almond milk contain added calcium and other ingredients that may not be suitable for those on a Candida diet.

If you’re making your own almond milk at home, be sure to dehydrate the leftover pulp before using it in recipes. The dried pulp can be added to a variety of dishes, including smoothies, chia pudding, oatmeal, porridge, dessert bowls, muffins, cakes, or brownies.

How To Choose The Right Almond Milk For Candida Diet

When choosing an almond milk for Candida diet, it’s important to read the ingredients list carefully. Many commercial almond milks contain additives such as thickeners, emulsifiers, and stabilizers that may cause gastrointestinal inflammation and discomfort, which can aggravate Candida overgrowth.

To avoid these additives, choose an almond milk that is free from gums, lecithins, and carrageenan. Carrageenan, in particular, should be avoided as it has been linked to potential health risks such as colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and colon cancer.

To ensure that the almond milk you choose is high in actual almonds, check the nutrition label for fat, protein, and calorie content. A higher number of these nutrients usually indicates a higher proportion of actual almonds in the milk.

If you’re making your own almond milk at home, choose organic almonds and avoid using any thickeners or preservatives. This will ensure that you have a pure and natural product that is suitable for Candida diet. The leftover pulp can be dried and added to various recipes for added nutrition and flavor.

Almond Milk Recipes For Candida Diet

Here are two almond milk recipes that are perfect for a Candida diet:

1. Basic Almond Milk Recipe

Ingredients:

– 1 cup raw almonds, soaked overnight

– 4 cups filtered water

– 1-2 dates (optional)

– Pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1. Drain and rinse the soaked almonds.

2. Add the almonds, filtered water, dates (if using), and sea salt to a blender.

3. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy.

4. Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth into a large bowl.

5. Transfer the almond milk to a glass jar and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

2. Chocolate Almond Milk Recipe

Ingredients:

– 1 cup raw almonds, soaked overnight

– 4 cups filtered water

– 2-3 tablespoons raw cacao powder

– 1-2 dates (optional)

– Pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1. Drain and rinse the soaked almonds.

2. Add the almonds, filtered water, cacao powder, dates (if using), and sea salt to a blender.

3. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy.

4. Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth into a large bowl.

5. Transfer the chocolate almond milk to a glass jar and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Both of these almond milk recipes are easy to make and can be used in a variety of recipes while on a Candida diet. Just be sure to avoid any commercial almond milks that contain additives or added sugars, as these can worsen Candida symptoms.

Conclusion: Enjoy Almond Milk On Candida Diet With Caution.

While almond milk is a great addition to a Candida diet, it’s important to consume it with caution. Some almond milk brands may contain added sugars, which can feed Candida and worsen symptoms. Additionally, a recent study found that sweetened almond milk can promote the growth of Streptococcus mutans biofilm, which can contribute to tooth decay.

To minimize the risk of exacerbating Candida symptoms or tooth decay, it’s best to choose unsweetened almond milk or make your own at home. When consuming almond milk, it’s also important to balance it out with other alkaline foods like vegetables and almonds, and limit your intake of acidic foods like meat.