I've been doing a lot of reading on candida and I think I may have it. I'm planning on ordering some oil of oregano and acidophilus tomorrow. I have already bought some Pau d'arco tea and just started using it a couple of days ago.
I also need to eliminate additional things from my diet-- coffee (not sure how THAT'S going to go!), vinegar, dairy, mushrooms etc. Problem is these are all of my favorite things to eat! I've decided to go slow and eliminate things one by one over a period of time. Coffee will be the last thing to go because it's by far going to be the HARDEST thing to give up.
My question is this: I know that sugar alcohols and Splenda are bad news. However, is the bulk Splenda in the packages worse in effects than something containing the commercial liquid Splenda? Does the bulking agent in the powder contain something non-yeast friendly that the liquid does not?
Reason I'm asking is because of the coffee. Like I said, it's going to take me a while before I can bear to get rid of that completely! I bought a bottle of Torrani syrup a few weeks back and used it in my coffee instead of the powdered Splenda i always use. During that time I felt much better and actually dropped 4 pounds (I've been on a pattern of stalling for 6 weeks and then losing a pound or two from months upon months). I also inadvertently made a few other slight changes during that time that I think helped my symptoms too. Perhaps I could also replace my heavy cream with a LC soy milk? I'll surely cut down on my coffee immediately and eventually eliminate it.
I know I could use Stevia too but if I have a choice I don't really prefer it (especially if I'm switching to soy milk instead of cream-- yuck!). I'd like some flavor if I can get away with it.
All and all, this is going to be a HARD process! My symptoms have been much worse lately and now in retrospect I notice a pattern with the non-yeast friendly foods I've been eating lately. I thought I was being a good girl and got rid of my beloved blue cheese dressing and replaced it with no carb Italian. Then I find vinegar is the main ingredient and it's off limits. I agree-- I just had some for lunch and I feel HORRIBLE! Looks like I'll be experimenting with olive oil and lemon juice . . . .
Also, if anyone has any suggestions for food toppings/yeast friendly fats it would be appreciated. I'm also sensitive to eggs so homemade mayo without vinegar is out of the question. I usually top my meats with blue cheese dressing, a sauce cooked with heavy cream or melted cheese. All that is out now. I know oils work, which would be fine on a salad but something about squirting oil all over a burger seems wrong! What about butter? That's a dairy too, right? Most of my fats come from dairy so I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how to replace them.
No eggs, no dairy-- I'm at a loss here. I just can't see eating an oil covered salad (no mushrooms
) with a dry meat for every meal for the rest of my life! My staple, on the go pepperoni and cheese stick breakfast is now out too!
Sorry for the rambling-- I'm just kind of in shock about the loss of my favorite foods. It does not leave me much else to eat . . . .
Any suggestions would be wholeheartedly appreciated!