So at first I didn’t think this was a big deal….so I have to give up bread, I thought. OK. That stinks, because I love bread, but fine. I can manage. Then my doctor continues to tell me that yeast is also in wine, cheese and pickles. WHAT!?!
This is not good news – considering that one of my favourite snacks is cheese and pickles on crackers with a glass of wine. (Seriously, it’s really good.)
I just got the news today. And it’s still not 100% official. I now have to do an elimination diet. So wine in hand and munching on cheese, I’m busy researching yeast-free diets.
I’ve got a line on a yeast-free cookbook from the library and plan to start the diet on Monday (after I rid my fridge of all its yeasty goodness….which also includes bacon, olives, vinegar (and so a lot of salad dressings), malts, juice from concentrate, mushrooms, root beer (no more floats for me) and a host of other delicious foods. Oh and get this…I’m supposed to quit chocolate and dried fruits and a bunch of fresh fruits too. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!! I’m off to pop another bottle of wine. It’s not Monday yet!
Sometimes I worry that I’m allergic to yeast too. I’d definitely be interested in knowing what your diet is, and how it goes.
Good luck, Sammy!
Kd
By: Rora114 on February 18, 2010
at 8:51 pm
Oy! Poor baby. You’re so disciplined though that you’ll figure it out quickly and hopefully be back to Merlot in no time if you’re not allergic. Teddy found that switching to martinis was helpful in feeling better. The things we do.
By: Francy on February 22, 2010
at 9:04 am
I wonder if I can just switch to margaritas….I just might be able to manage that.
By: Sandra on February 22, 2010
at 2:41 pm
I just found out about three weeks ago I am allergic to yeast. I started the diet but every now and than I eat something I didn’t know I should eat. Like yesterday I had corn beef and I am sick today. This diet thing is very confusing. Reading many sources on the internet confused me. The information is not consistant. Do you have any information or suggestions.
By: Sandra Johnson on March 21, 2010
at 9:26 am
Hi Sandra – I totally agree. I read one thing and I think I’m doing a decent job following a yeast-free diet, I read another and I find out it’s even more restrictive. I’m no expert on this, but this is my approach.
I follow the guidelines from womentowomen.com. This is an excerpt from the site:
1. Avoid yeast-containing foods:
Beer, wine, and all other forms of alcohol
Breads, rolls, pretzels, pastries, cookies, and sweet rolls
B–complex vitamins and selenium products, unless labeled “yeast–free”
Vinegar or foods containing vinegar, such as mustard, salad dressings, pickles, barbeque sauce, mayonnaise
Commercially prepared foods such as soups, dry roasted nuts, potato chips, soy sauce, cider, natural root beer, olives, sauerkraut
2. Avoid mold-containing and mold-supporting foods:
Pickled, smoked or dried meats, fish, and poultry
Cured pork bacon
All cheese, aged or fresh
Mushrooms
Tempeh
Soy sauce, tamari, and miso
Peanuts, peanut products, and pistachios
Herbs and teas that may be moldy
Malt or foods containing malt
Canned or prepared tomatoes (fresh tomatoes are fine)
3. Avoid all concentrated sugars:
Honey, maple syrup, brown sugar
Fruit juices (canned, bottled, or frozen)
Dried fruits
All processed sugar
Anything containing high-fructose corn syrup
High glycemic index foods
What foods can you eat in a Candida diet?
All fresh vegetables — a large variety, raw or lightly steamed, is best; be sure to include dark green leafy vegetables.
Fresh protein at every meal, including beef, chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, and shellfish. Organic is best, but fresh is essential.
Complex carbohydrates, including grains (rice, buckwheat, barley, millet, couscous), whole grain oatmeal, beans (kidney, lima, red beans), and certain types of pasta (whole wheat, spelt, corn, rice). Be careful not to get too many carbs — 15 grams per meal maximum.
Unprocessed nuts and seeds, except peanuts.
Unrefined olive, sesame, safflower and corn oils (be sure to keep them in the refrigerator after opening to prevent spoiling).
Lemon juice with oil for salad dressing — this may be a prepared product, but be careful to avoid any salad dressing that contains vinegar.
Beverages such as mineral or spring water, soy milk, and unprocessed nut milks.
Limited quantities of fruit (three daily), unless you see a reaction, then limit to twice weekly. Avoid grapes, raisins, dates, prunes and figs.
I’m taking these supplements: Candidiastat and S Boullardi probiotic (as well as a yeast-free B complex, vit D, and a women’s multi-vitamin, I occasionally take yeast-free Floradix
I’ve checked these cookbooks out of the library for recipe inspiration:
….though I did find that they’re much more restrictive than what my naturopath suggested.
Best of luck….let me know how it goes. I’d love any suggestions you have. I think the upside to this is that the food we can eat is really fresh and tasty. And I’m hoping once I get this yeast back in balance, I’ll enjoy my glass of wine, that much more.
By: Sandra on March 21, 2010
at 1:48 pm