Candida Care: Don't Get Run Over By the Holiday Sugar Train

The holidays are upon us: fun, friends, family and—sugar!

Yes, the "Sugar Express" is fully loaded and headed your way. Get ready because there will be days when it’s hard NOT to feel like you are tied to the tracks and resistance is futile!

How can you cope with The Season of Sugar if you are experiencing Candida? Here are eight ways to help you resist those sugar cravings:

1. Treat your Candida.

It may seem counter-intuitive that treating the very thing that sugar helps cause (Candida) can help counter those sugar cravings, but it’s true.

An active Candida yeast overgrowth in your gut is looking out for itself, not you; and what it wants is: SUGAR! Don’t feed the yeast—try our One-Two Punch to get Candida—and cravings—back under control.

2. “Inoculate” yourself with plenty of vegetables.

Vegetables contain fiber, which make you feel full and offers prebiotics to your “good” gut bacteria. I haven’t seen a scientific study, but my own experience is, the more veggies I eat, the less I crave sugar. Here are some ideas on putting more veggies in your diet.

3. Don’t expose yourself to sugar when you are hungry.

Please, let’s not tie ourselves to the train tracks! Eat breakfast, eat lunch, keep nuts and other low-sugar snacks in the car, have a small meal or a substantial snack before going to a party. If you are hungry, your blood sugar will drop. Not surprisingly, eating sugar raises low blood sugar almost instantly. If you start hungry, any available sugar is going to look almost irresistible.

4.Balance Protein-Fat-Carbs.

Make sure your breakfast, lunch, dinner or pre-party snack include both protein and fat, as well as carbohydrates in the form of vegetables. This balance of nutrition building blocks will keep you resistance higher.

5.Limit baked goods.

I am one of those people who cannot have just one gingerbread person cookie . . . but if you can rein yourself in, nibble on a leg* and leave it at that.

6. Limit alcohol*—a lot.

It’s awfully tempting to make that mulled wine, Moscow mule, or Negroni part of your holiday celebrating, but remember: alcohol IS sugar. Drinking alcohol is providing a party for your Candida. Ask for a tiny serving, or serve yourself—or even better, stick to sparkling water.

7. Stay hydrated.

Another downside to alcohol is that it tends to dehydrate you. Dehydration is often mistaken for hunger—and cravings. Carry a water bottle in your car or have one at your desk, and attend that party with a glass of water at your side

8. Make sure you are getting the nutrition you need.

For instance, an insane craving for chocolate often signals a magnesium deficiency. Nuts and seeds, avocados, bananas, and leafy greens are all high in magnesium, or you can add a modest magnesium supplement to your diet. You will be amazed at how your interest in chocolate will wane. You can also experience sugar cravings if you are low in the nutrients chromium, tryptophan, carbon, phosphorus or sulfur. This chart gives you some ideas of what to eat instead.

*On our Candida Complete™ program, you may be able to have a few small treats without antagonizing your Candida, but everyone is different and moderation is the key!

For more ideas on treating and recovering from Candida symptoms, download our free Candida Detox Recovery Guide.

Wishing You the Happiest of Holidays!

Your Friends at Candida Support