Anti­-Yeast Elimination Diet

To help calm your immune system and eliminate yeast overgrowth in the GI tract, we need to eliminate the following foods (which feed & can drive overgrowth of yeast species in the gut):

• All Sugar and other sweeteners (e.g. honey, maple syrup, agave nectar) and sweetened foods
• Juices or blended fruits (e.g. smoothies) and all dried fruits
• All flour containing foods (e.g. crackers, breads, pasta)
• Alcohol (very important)

Because yeast are so effective at making us crave what they wish to eat, you can expect to have some cravings in the short term after these eliminations are in place. Be disciplined, and hang in there though! It is critical to ensure your diet is not working against your other anti-yeast efforts.

While this elimination undoubtedly feels restrictive, savor and enjoy these foods liberally. Aim to make your meals ~25% protein and at least ~50% vegetables (the rest should be mostly healthy fats). This diet is highly alkalizing which also creates an unsuitable environment in the gut for yeast.

• Unprocessed Meats and Fish and Poultry and Eggs (preferably organic)
• Ghee and cold pressed vegetable oils (e.g. extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil)
• All Vegetables, especially fresh or frozen ones (except mushrooms)
• Whole­food dips (e.g. guacamole, homemade salsa, olive tapeline, hummus in small amounts at once (~1/4 cup)
• Fresh herbs and spices or dried (without additives or preservatives)
• Nuts and seeds. Prioritize pumpkin and sunflower seeds and almonds; other nuts in small amounts.
• Frozen and fresh whole fruit (except oranges/grapefruits, bananas, grapes, melon, and pineapple) ­ up to two servings per day. Oranges/grapefruit are not high sugar but are extremely prone to mold inside.
• Avocado & coconut are great (coconut: fresh or dried, unsweetened).
• Gluten free whole grains (especially quinoa, millet, amaranth, s/c oats, and buckwheat) – up to one half cup serving per day.

Quinoa and buckwheat are best choices.

• Legumes incl. Beans, peas, or lentils ­ up to one half­ cup serving/day. If you feel you can digest well.
• Water, herbal, green, or white tea. No soda or black tea of coffee – all extremely acidic.
• Xylitol or Stevia (herbal sweetener)
• Apple cider vinegar and lemon/lime juice for dressing salads along with olive oil

When people think of yeast, we most often think of baker’s yeast such as that used in bread or brewer’s yeast as in beer. However, yeast is also used in the fermentation of many foods common in the American diet such as condiments. To eliminate yeast, you need to avoid all fermented foods that might contain yeast. You will also need to begin reading ingredient labels carefully for any yeast related additives.

The following is a list of things to avoid entirely as they can contain yeast or are very acidic.

• All alcoholic beverages (e.g. beer, wine, vodka, rum, gin, brandy, whiskey)
• Black Tea (both caffeinated or decaffeinated) and coffee
• Baked goods (e.g. bread, buns, rolls, doughnuts, crackers)
• Mushrooms
• Dried fruit
• Peanuts (not a true nut at all but a legume, very prone to mold)
• Vinegar and vinegar containing foods (e.g. salad dressing – use olive oil and lemon or lime juice OR use only apple cider vinegar)
• All foods that might contain mold (e.g. overly ripe fruit)
• All prepared food with yeast as an ingredient. Be careful of hidden sources of yeast when you read labels (e.g. yeast extract, autolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed protein, MSG)