“Milk does 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 commercials about dairy products that contribute to weight loss. In addition, mothers all over 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 banned from 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 excessive use 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 disrupted, 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 Candida’s food supply. It is the sugar content of milk that concerns the Candida dieter and therefore why it is banned from the diet. Lactose, the sugar found in milk, is also difficult for many people to digest and can cause the gastrointestinal systems to worsen yeast infection.
It is unfortunate that milk can aggravate thrush because milk is a great source of so 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. So what’s a Candida dieter to do about milk? We certainly don’t want to miss out on these nutrients while trying to restore our intestinal balance. Fortunately, due to the common occurrence of lactose intolerance and food allergies today, there are a wide variety of milk alternatives available that are fine for the Candida diet. Many of these milk alternatives are fortified with calcium and vitamin D levels comparable to cow’s milk.
soy milk seems to be one of the most widely used alternatives to milk. With brands like Silk right next to cow’s milk in the supermarket, most of us have taken notice 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 right for everyone.
almond milk is another popular alternative to milk. It is ideal for people who cannot use soy due to sensitivity or allergy. I have not used almond milk because both of my children are severely allergic to nuts. However, I have heard very good things about almond milk in terms of its taste and ease of use. Almonds are nuts, so they’re 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 kids because they are allergic, to varying degrees, to cow’s milk, soy, and tree nuts. Rice milk is great for cereals, but mediocre for cooking. The consistency is very watery so it cannot be used effectively in some recipes. It’s also very sweet, even when using the sugar-free version. Rice milk is also high in carbohydrates, so it may not be ideal for dieters with Candida, especially in the early stages of the diet.
hemp milk seems to be the new kid on the block, but haven’t used it yet. Contrary to popular belief, it is not illegal and does not contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active chemical in marijuana. From what I’ve read, hemp milk has a creamy consistency and works well in cooking.
When choosing a milk alternative, make sure it’s unsweetened and doesn’t contain any prohibited additives.
For more information on the Candida diet, visit Yeast Free Living.
