by Anne Christie

Created on: February 26, 2009

Like PMS and their monthly cycle, yeast infections are one of the three most irritating things that occur in a woman's life. While most of us go through them, the goal is to decrease the intensity of yeast infections and their influence in our lives, and to avoid their side effects if at all possible.

While most foods will not eradicate yeast infections in the body, there are some simple rules that can be followed that can help us decrease their control over us.

What NOT to Eat

One of the main factors is not what foods to eat, but more importantly on what foods we should AVOID during a yeast infection. The following foods will act as a catalyst causing your yeast infection to reproduce within your body more rapidly. These foods include: citric and acidic fruits, sugar, products that contain yeast (such as breads), aged cheeses, alcohol, baked goods, chocolate, dried fruits, fermented foods (such as vinegar), ham, honey, nut butters, pickles, potatoes, raw mushrooms, soy sauce, sprouts, vinegar, cola drinks, processed food and fried or greasy foods.

Beneficial Foods & Their Uses

1. The main beneficial food that most people talk about is yogurt. For it to be truly effective, it needs to be plain, without added sugars or sweeteners. While eating plain yogurt is very beneficial, it can also be used to apply directly to the affected area. To use it as an application, mix the plain, unsweetened yogurt with sterilized water and use as a douche one to two times daily until you can see an improvement in the affected area.

2. Aloe Vera juice boosts white blood cells and increases their ability to kill yeast cells in the body.

3. Fiber, especially oat bran or flax seed, will assist in cleansing yeast from the body.

4. Drink only distilled water, not tap water or filtered water.

5. Maintain a diet that is 60% to 70% raw foods and fresh vegetables. Broiled fish or chicken may be eaten in moderation. Use gluten-free grains such as brown rice or millet or their products for your whole grains.

6. For vaginitis: Add three cups pure apple cider vinegar to bath water. Soak in the bathtub for twenty minutes.

These are simple techniques, and most items may be found in most areas of the country without any problem. As with any change in regimen, please check with your doctor about how these suggestions may affect you or any other condition you may have.

Learn more about this author, Anne Christie.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.