Avoid

• An anti-yeast infection diet may be tough. Many foods to be avoided are staples in the American diet. Among the biggest culprits to avoid or stop eating altogether are dairy products, especially aged cheeses.
  
  Also, avoid foods with chemicals such as additives and preservatives, including non-organic meats that have "residual" antibiotics used on the animal when it was alive. Antibiotics kill bacteria, leaving yeast to grow unchecked. Citric acid, which comes from yeasts, is another additive to avoid.
  
  Stay away from foods and beverages loaded with sugar. Alcoholic beverages, chocolate, fruits and fruit juices, syrups, starchy vegetables and condiments including mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard --all a buffet for yeast, which loves them as much as the hosts do. Many condiments also contain vinegar, a yeast derivative.
  
  The diet also cuts coffee, tea, sodas and energy drinks. Not just because of any sweeteners, but the Candida finds caffeine just as appetizing. Even decaffeinated coffee can have tiny levels of caffeine remaining.
  
  Avoid the gluten-rich breads and pastas and other foods made of wheat and rye. Gluten also is believed to promote yeast infections. Stay away from starchy vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and corn as well as processed meats such as lunch meats that usually contain additives.
  
  

Eat

• The list of what may be eaten in an anti-yeast infection diet is much shorter, but healthier.
  
  Fill up on meats including beef, eggs, poultry and fish that are organically farmed and fresh. Such protein-rich foods give Candida little or nothing on which to feed and grow. The same goes for seeds and nuts, except for pistachios and peanuts that are more likely to contain mold.
  
  Non-starchy vegetables such as celery, tomatoes, avocado, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower and raw garlic are believed to keep yeast infections in check. Including live yogurt cultures in your diet may help healthy bacteria flourish in your body and balance out the yeast.
  
  In the bread and grains group, eat brown or wild rice, low-sugar rice or oat bran cereal and bread made of millet.
  
  

Results

• Some dieters usually notice improvements within a month and Candida diet advocates say that normal diets can resume after the yeast is brought under control.
  
  But Dr. Brent A. Bauer, an internist with the Mayo Clinic, says there is no evidence showing that yeast infections cause a syndrome that brings fatigue, poor memory and other such symptoms in the first place. Other traditional practitioners are also skeptical. Bauer, is not surprised, however, that the diet makes people feel better simply because it focuses on fresh and more nutritious foods.