Yeast infection is something that commonly occurs but in truth, there are not many who like to talk about it. According to Web MD, as many as 75% of women will experience a vaginal yeast infection at least once. But this condition can be easily treated. Also, if you eat the best foods for yeast infection, you can easily prevent getting it.
Also known as candidiasis, a vaginal yeast infection can happen when there is an imbalance in your body. The vagina naturally produces bacteria but certain conditions can cause a change.
There are also people who are more likely to contract this disease. If you are using birth control that has high estrogen content, if you are pregnant or if you have diabetes, you are more likely to get it.
It is also important to note that while yeast infection is mostly associated with women, it is actually possible for men and babies to contract them too.
So how will you know if you have a yeast infection? There are some signs you should watch out for to determine this.
The most common is that your vagina is itching and there is swelling in that area, including the vulva or the outer part. You may also experience a burning or see redness.
It can be painful when you pee, and also during sex. Lastly, you might notice a vaginal discharge. This is not the usual one that you have. This has a whitish-gray color and more clumpy. Most people would say that this kind of discharge looks like cottage cheese.
You already know that candidiasis happens when there is an imbalance because the bacteria in your vaginal area is not working effectively. But what could cause this to happen?
There are several factors in fact. This can be something as simple as lack of sleep and stress. Taking antibiotics can also cause this as they kill both the bad and good bacteria in your body.
If you have diabetes and having a hard time controlling your blood sugar level, that could also cause the yeast infection. Eating too many sugary foods can also be a factor, that’s why it’s important to include antifungal foods in your diet.
Once you suspect that you have a yeast infection, you need to get to a doctor fast so that you can be prescribed the proper treatment. Adding the following best foods for yeast infection to your diet can also help.
Best Foods for Yeast Infection
- Ginger
- Lemon
- Leafy greens
- Avocado
- Non-starchy Vegetables
- Grass-fed Beef
- Eggs
- Herbs
- Quinoa
- Dark Chocolate
Ginger
One of the best foods you can include in your diet to fight or prevent yeast infection is ginger. It is packed with antioxidants that help to fight the infection.
Ginger has been around for many years, and in the early days, it was used to treat nausea, motion sickness, and even a weak immune system.
Studies have also shown that it has antifungal properties, particularly in preventing further growth of Candida albicans, which can occur in your mouth, skin, and vagina.
There are so many ways to include ginger in your diet. They go really well with Asian meals, such as stir-fries and the like. You can add them to add more flavor to your fish recipes, or even make healthy drinks with ginger.
Lemon
Lemons have anti-fungal properties that make it one of the best foods for yeast infection. Although it is milder compared to other foods, it can still help you to prevent yeast infection. They are also a big help to your liver, which we already know plays many important roles in our bodies, including getting rid of the toxins that may harm us.
Other benefits of lemon include helping you lose weight and improve your digestive health.
Lemons are versatile ingredients. They can be added to smoothies, desserts, and to many dishes to add that extra tang that your dish may need. You can also add slices of lemon to your water and it will already make a difference.
It’s important to buy the freshest lemons you can find so here are some great websites where you can buy fresh lemons online.
Leafy greens
Leafy greens can be added to salads or as a side dish for your mains. Aside from that, you can also use them as ingredients for your green smoothies.
Avocado
It’s important to include healthy fats in your diet. This can be in the form of olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado. Avocados are not only delicious but also has many benefits.
Healthy fats are helpful because they help the carbohydrates that you consume to be broken down slowly. This prevents your blood sugar from increasing fast.
They contain vitamins such as omega-3 fatty acids, folate, potassium and vitamins, C, B-6, and more. They can prevent diseases like cancer and osteoporosis.
If you are pregnant, avocados can also help because of the folate they contain. Folate is essential in a healthy pregnancy as it can prevent defects and miscarriage.
There are many ways to eat avocados, as you can see. They are already good on their own, but getting creative can help you appreciate just how versatile this ingredient can be.
Non-starchy Vegetables
A balanced diet is needed to make sure that you are healthy and strong. But when you are following a diet that is specifically for preventing or fighting yeast infection, there are some vegetables that you need to steer clear of.
In the same way that simple carbohydrates turn into sugar, the same thing happens to starchy vegetables. Some samples of these include butternut and acorn squash.
Instead, add vegetables like cucumber, broccoli, kale, asparagus and cabbage to your meals. It would be best if you do not cook them as these can be eaten raw. If you still want to have them cooked, the best method would be to steam them.
Grass-fed Beef
In a diet that fights yeast infection, you cannot just have any meat you want. In fact, red meat is not really allowed.
But with the advancement of technology, there are more options for healthy food, and this includes grass-fed beef. What makes this kind of beef perfect as an anti-fungal food is that level and the perfect ratio of the vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.
It’s important to be sure of where you get your meat so that you can be sure that the cows were really raised in the right environment. There are websites where you can buy your grass-fed beef online.
They are sold in many varieties, from meat cuts to sausages, and more.
Eggs
Eggs are one of the most versatile ingredients we can find. They are used in dishes in countries all over the world. They can be used for savory and sweet dishes. They are good on their own, and as an accompaniment to other ingredients.
And of course, they healthy. In the Candida diet, eggs are very important because you need to get lean meat. And eggs are good sources of protein.
Herbs
Herbs are not just for additional flavor on your food, but they also have many health benefits. For yeast infection, in particular, use basil, oregano, and cilantro. These are very common ingredients that you will find in many dishes, including pasta and salsa.
Another spice you can use are cloves, which has antibacterial properties.
Cinnamon is also a good choice. We always associate it with desserts, but cinnamon is actually used as a medicine in many cultures due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
You don’t have to make a trip to the grocery store to get your herbs, you can buy fresh herbs online from any of these trusted websites and they will be delivered right to your door.
Quinoa
One of the foods you need to avoid when you want to prevent or treat a yeast infection is simple carbohydrates. This means not food made of white flour, white rice, and white bread.
When digested, they can increase your blood sugar. This will allow the Candida to spread faster in your body.
Instead of simple carbohydrates, go for the complex kind, like the quinoa. It is a good protein source and also packed with fiber, almost twice the amount in other grains. This helps with digestive health, making it perfect for a diet that addresses candida.
You can use it to replace the other carbs in your diet, although it is not considered a low carb food.
Dark Chocolate
Here’s something that many women will love. While consuming too much sugar should be avoided, you still have other options that can take the place of your usual dessert.
You can reach for a bar of dark chocolate when you are having cravings for dessert. While you might consider it a guilty pleasure, there are actually many benefits when you consume them.
They are high in antioxidants, which we already know can fight and prevent many diseases.
Other benefits include helping with depression and improving your cholesterol levels.
If you are going to have dark chocolate, you need to get those that have at least 60% cacao. The higher the content it would be better. But make sure to treat this as a treat, a couple of times a week is fine, but don’t have it every day.
Other Tips on How to Prevent Vaginal Yeast Infection
Aside from making sure that you are eating the proper diet, there are also other things you can do to lower the odds of you contracting a yeast infection.
There are certain foods you must also avoid. Examples are those with high sugar content like fruit juices and even dried fruits. Consuming alcohol should be avoided.
Here are more practical tips you can follow to prevent yeast infection.
Maintain proper hygiene
One of the best things you can do is to practice proper hygiene. In fact, this is something that you should be doing regardless. It’s important that you take care of yourself.
Brush your teeth and take a bath every day. But you should be avoiding hot tubs, or if you can’t, do not stay for too long. The yeast thrives in a warm environment so it’s better to keep your baths short.
If you like to work out, make sure to get out of your workout clothes and shower right after you are done. The same is true if you have just gone for a swim. take off your wet suit right away.
When you are cleaning your genital area, remember to wipe from front to back. Do not use scented soap. Some experts even say that water is enough. If you still want to use soap, use a mild variant.
Avoid wearing tight clothes
It’s important to let that area breathe. Wearing tight clothes will constrict that area and will also allow for moisture to increase. Remember that yeast thrives in dark, wet places, so the chances of getting yeast infections are higher when you keep wearing tight clothes.
If you are going to buy underwear, cotton is the best material. it is breathable and does not hold on to heat so there will be less moisture in your private parts.
Avoid douching
There are many reasons why women are using vaginal douche. Whether it is trying to prevent pregnancy after engaging in sexual discourse or cleaning themselves after their menstruation, women need to know that douching can actually increase the risk of getting health problems, including a yeast infection.
Douching is usually done by mixing together water and vinegar, while others buy ready douches in drugstores.
When douching is done, the balance between the bacteria in your vagina becomes imbalanced, which can cause bacteria to grow more rapidly.
Aside from that, douching has also been linked to more serious conditions like ectopic pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and cervical cancer.
Change feminine products frequently
If you are more prone to yeast infection, experts advise using pads instead of tampons. You must regularly change and not wear them for the whole day.
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