However, it remains overlooked by many health practitioners and often mistaken for other disease. The ones who were diagnosed struggle to get better. A majority of these Candida treatment failures are associated with a wrong diet. Yes, most candida sufferers are eating the wrong foods!.
The candida diet is a controversial eating plan that eliminates sugar gluten alcohol and dairy. It’s claimed to cure candida overgrowth, a fungal infection of the gut. But is shrimp allowed on the restrictive candida diet? Let’s find out.
What Is Candida?
Candida albicans is a type of yeast that resides in the mouth throat gut and genitourinary tract of most people. It is considered part of the normal gut flora and kept under control by healthy bacteria.
However, certain factors like antibiotics, birth control pills, stress and a high-sugar diet can disrupt the bacterial balance and allow candida to multiply out of control. This causes candida overgrowth with symptoms like fatigue, cravings, digestives issues, fungal infections and brain fog.
Mainstream medicine doesn’t recognize candida overgrowth as a medical condition, But advocates of the candida diet believe it helps treat the problem by starving candida of its favorite foods
Understanding the Candida Diet
The candida diet aims to rebalance the gut flora by eliminating inflammatory foods that may feed candida overgrowth. It has three main components:
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Eliminate sugars, grains, alcohol and starchy vegetables that candida thrives on. This includes all refined carbs and sweeteners.
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Remove mold-containing foods like aged cheese, dried fruits and mushrooms that may stimulate fungal growth.
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Load up on non-starchy vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats and anti-fungal foods like garlic.
The diet lasts 2-4 weeks before slowly reintroducing certain foods back while monitoring symptoms. Some people choose to follow it long-term.
The candida diet is touted for treating digestive issues, fatigue, brain fog, fungal infections and a myriad of other symptoms. However, it is very restrictive and lacks scientific evidence.
Can You Eat Shrimp on the Candida Diet?
Yes, shrimp is allowed on the candida diet.
Although candida diet protocols vary, most permit moderate portions of low-mercury, wild-caught shrimp and other seafood.
Shrimp offer many nutritional benefits that support the candida diet:
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High-quality protein: Shrimp provide over 20 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving. Protein doesn’t feed candida and helps retain muscle mass on a low-carb diet.
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Rich in selenium and zinc: These minerals have anti-fungal effects and support immune function.
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Contains omega-3s: Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation caused by candida overgrowth.
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Low sugar: Shrimp have 0 grams of carbs, so they don’t feed candida.
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Low mercury: Smaller shrimp like pink and white shrimp have low mercury levels compared to large fish.
However, it’s important to choose wild-caught, chemical-free shrimp whenever possible. Here’s why:
The Problem With Farmed Shrimp
Over 90% of shrimp sold in the U.S. is imported and farm-raised. Shrimp farms have major issues:
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Antibiotic overuse: Shrimp are given antibiotics to prevent disease in crowded ponds. Antibiotic residues can harm your gut flora.
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Contaminants: Shrimp ponds collect toxins, mercury and other pollutants that get passed onto shrimp.
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Less nutritious: Farmed shrimp have lower omega-3 content than wild shrimp. Their feed also lacks the pigments that give shrimp their color.
For these reasons, wild-caught shrimp is healthier and safer on the candida diet. U.S. wild shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico are a budget-friendly option.
How Much Shrimp Can You Eat on the Candida Diet?
There are no strict limits for shrimp on the candida diet. However, moderation is key as with any other food:
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Limit shrimp to 2 or 3 servings per week. Eating it daily may congest the liver according to Chinese medicine.
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Stick to 4 ounces of shrimp max per serving. Larger portions could lead to contaminant exposure.
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Pair shrimp with plenty of non-starchy veggies for gut-healthy fiber.
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Consider rotation diets where you swap shrimp for another protein source every 3-4 days. This prevents developing sensitivities.
Healthy Ways to Cook Shrimp on the Candida Diet
Cooking method matters on a gut-healing diet. Here are some candida diet-approved ways to prepare shrimp:
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Steaming: Quickly steams shrimp without oils or butter. Serve with veggies.
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Shrimp salad: Mix cooked shrimp with greens, lemon juice and olive oil.
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Shrimp tacos: Fill lettuce wraps with shrimp, salsa, avocado and slaw.
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Shrimp skewers: Grill or broil shrimp seasoned with garlic, spices and lime.
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Shrimp soup: Simmer shrimp in bone broth with veggies.
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Shrimp stir fry: Cook shrimp with vegetables and ginger. Serve over cauliflower rice.
Avoid deep frying, breading or heavy sauces. And skip cocktail sauce made with sugar and vinegar. Overall, wild shrimp can be part of a gut-healing, anti-inflammatory candida diet when consumed sensibly.
The Bottom Line
Shrimp is allowed as part of the candida diet, but it’s best to choose wild-caught shrimp and eat it in moderation. Farm-raised shrimp may contain antibiotics, contaminants and lower nutrition. Prioritize organic vegetables, high-quality protein, healthy fats and anti-fungal herbs and spices as the main components of an effective candida diet. Shrimp can provide beneficial nutrition to support your gut and immune system. But it shouldn’t be your main protein source.
What Is Candida Infection?
Candidiasis, or Candida, refers to an unhealthy overgrowth of the yeast (Candida albicans) within the body. Candida albicans is a naturally occurring yeast that is present in everyone.
In healthy people, though, the immune system keeps it in check, and it only shows up in the skin, the lower intestine, and the vagina. A big part of this process is due to acidophilus and bifidobacteria, which are healthy and necessary bacteria in the digestive tract.
Candida albicans starts to spread to other parts of the body when the balance of good bacteria is upset, like when you take antibiotics. It does this by going through the intestinal walls and into the bloodstream without being stopped. Candida albicans changes into a bad fungus that can infect the body’s tissues and organs when this happens.
Why is Candida a Major Health Concern in Australia?
An estimated 33 percent of all Australians are affected by Candida and the numbers are growing.
The disease nonetheless remains overlooked by many health practitioners. To make matters worse, its various symptoms can easily be mistaken for other disease conditions. Some physical symptoms of Candida include:
Anxiety and depression, chronic fatigue, memory and/or confusion issues, gastrointestinal issues (including bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, and heartburn), headaches and migraines, irritability and mood swings, loss of libido, oral and/or vaginal thrush, skin problems (acne, rashes, and scaly skin), sleeping issues, vaginitis, respiratory issues (asthma, coughing, hay fever, lung and/or nasal congestion, sinusitis, and wheezing), hives, and hyperactivity.
To treat your symptoms and keep them from coming back, we suggest that you see one of our doctors at one of our Brisbane or Gold Coast clinics.
Natural treatments for Candida can be very effective and longer lasting than the typical and conventional treatments. Candida albicans can kill infection-fighting cells like T cells in people who don’t have a strong immune system. This makes it easier for opportunistic infections to spread.
Because of these things, our doctors see Candida as a possible serious health threat and do everything they can to make sure it is dealt with properly. One of the best ways to manage and clear up Candida infection is dietary modification. Pay close attention to the foods you should not eat while you are Candida Cleansing. It’s not just about what you should eat. These foods can surely get your Candida treatment plan busted.
Is Shrimp Okay On The Candida Diet?
FAQ
Can you eat shrimp on Candida?
What seafood is allowed on the Candida diet?
What is the number one food to avoid Candida?
What meats can I eat on a candida diet?
Can you eat meat & fish on a Candida diet?
Small amounts of meat and fish are OK on the Candida diet, but there are some types of meat and fish that can actually make your Candida worse.
Can I eat raw shrimp?
Eating raw shrimp is not recommended. Raw shrimp can contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning. It is also a good source of purines, which can trigger gout attacks. If you want to eat shrimp, cook it thoroughly to reduce the risk of food poisoning and to help prevent gout attacks. Cook shrimp until it is opaque and pink to ensure that it is safe to eat.
What should I eat if I have Candida?
Be sure to avoid processed meats that are high in dextrose, nitrates, sulfates, and other additives that may affect your hut health. If you currently eat a lot of red meat, you should consider switching to white meats and fish. Red meat can be troublesome for Candida sufferers because it releases larger amounts of ammonia in the colon.
Can You reintroduce foods into your new Candida diet?
However, you can gradually reintroduce certain foods into your new candida diet. Low-sugar fruits like green apples are a great example of a smart choice. If the reintroduced foods don’t cause flare-ups of candida symptoms, you can move on to reintroducing more foods that you have been avoiding.