For many people who attempt to eliminate Candida by modifying their diet, it is that lack of sugar and it’s sweet taste that often causes them to fail. Sugar, in all it’s forms – frutose, sucrose, glucose, maple syrup, agave nectar – all feed a Candida yeast infection and have to be removed from your diet in order to reduce the infection. In the past, the only way to not risk feeding the yeast infection was to remove all sugar. Thankfully, today there are alternatives to sugar that are safe to use during a Candida cleanse. Xylitol is a naturally occurring type of sugar alcohol found in berries, vegetables, sugar cane and various fruits.
Now, if you have been diligent in your Candida research I expect you are thinking “alcohol, fruit, sugar cane? Don’t they all feed Candida?”. You would be right, they do and the carbohydrate in Xylitol is no exception. However, the amount of carbohydrate is so small that you would have consume a large amount before it could support a Candida overgrowth. Used in moderation, it is suitable to use as a sweetener during the diet plan.
Xylitol is approximately half as sweet as sugar. Use it to gradually reduce your sweet tooth for long term prevention of a Candida yeast infection. It is also useful to note that the Glycemic Index (GI) of Xylitol is far lower than sugar making it suitable for diabetics. A low GI indicates foods that are metabolized more slowly by the body and therefore release their sugars more slowly. With careful integration of Xylitol into your diet, combined with the use of good quality probiotics and antifungals you can have the sweetness in your diet without the worry of feeding Candida Albicans.
The difference between Xylitol and other sugars?
As previously mentioned, the origins of Xylitol don’t make it sound like the most suitable thing to be eating during a Candida Albicans cleanse. However, it is the low GI of the Xylitol carbohydrate that is key to its suitability. Not all of the carbohydrate is digestible and this makes it hard for Candida to feed upon it. The reduced sweetness of Xylitol when compared with refined suger makes it a good tool in reducing your sugar cravings, thus boosting the chances of a successful diet. Upon completion of the diet plan it is worth considering using a natural sweetener in place of refined sugar as it is a far healthier option and will reduce the chances of a Candida overgrowth reoccurring.
Here is an overview of why Xylitol a good substitute to refined sugar:
- Low GI (Glycemic Index)
- Compliments your anti Candida diet plan
- It is a 100% natural sweetener unlike aspartame
- A teaspoon of white sugar contains 16 calories, Xylitol has only 9 calories
- Less carbohydrates than normal sugar and they harder for Candida to feed on
- No harmful side effects unlike artificial sweeteners like sorbitol and aspartame.
The number one rule when looking for Xylitol is to “always read the label“. Xylitol normally comes in powder form so may well have other bulking agents or anti-caking agents added. These are unnecessary, reduce the quality and make an otherwise healthy choice unhealthy. Make sure you get your supply from a trusted health food store or online retailer. Also, ensure that the only sweetening agent is the Xylitol itself, as some brands have artificial sweeteners added. Once you have your Xylitol, store it like you would sugar.
Keep a look out for Xylitol in other products. You often find it in chewing gum (good for your teeth), mouthwash, diabetic foods, toothpaste travel sweeteners etc. One added benefit of using a product that contains Xylitol orally (like gum) is that it kills the bacteria that causes tooth decay and bad breath. These bacteria can also lead to oral Candidiasis and oral thrush. As with all Xylitol products, make sure it is pure and free from other harmful additives and artificial sweeteners.
Can I have Xylitol on my Candida diet?
The simple answer is Yes! However, if you have a sever case of Canadiasis, it is wise to steer clear of Xylitol at the beginning of your treatment. Due the sugar alcohol it contains it is possible for it to feed your Candida overgrowth. This is a remote chance as the GI is very low and the carbohydrate it contains is only partially digestible. Should you have any concerns just use Stevia instead. For the majority of users Xylitol in moderate amounts is perfectly okay.
How to use Xylitol
On the sweetness scale, Xylitol is about half as sweet as sugar and far less intense than Stevia. At first you will find that you need to use more Xylitol than you normally would with sugar to get the same taste. Stevia on the other hand is extremely sweet and you’ll be amazed at how little to need.
The long term aim in reducing your risk to a re-occurring Candida infestation is to reduce the amount of sugar you have in your diet. Xylitol is an excellent tool to help you accomplish this. Try to curb the sweet cravings you get by substituting sugar with Xylitol and then gradually reducing the amount you use. You will be surprised over time how sweet the foods you used to think where savory really are. Be aware of the hidden sugars in many foods, they can come in many forms.
Dogs and Xylitol DO NOT mix!
Be aware that you can never feed your pet dog food that has been sweetened with Xylitol. It is toxic to our K9 friends to the point of being potentially fatel in some cases. Store your Xylitol away from any curious pooches and if the worst should happen and you think your dog has ingested some, take them to the vet immediately.