Commonly treated as a vegetable, avocados are actually tropical fruits, believed to have originated in Central and South America. Avocados are pear-shaped, with green or brown skin that can be smooth or rough. The inside of an avocado contains a yellowish, slimy pulp that is often described as rich and buttery. Most people first come across avocados in guacamole, a Mexican sauce in which avocados are the main ingredients, but you will also see avocados mixed in a variety of salads. The good news about avocados is that not only do they taste good, they are good for you, too. Avocados are an excellent source of vitamin K, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, copper, and potassium. Additionally, avocados are high in monounsaturated fats, specifically oleic acid, which research has found to have numerous health benefits.
Fortunately, avocados are allowed on the candida diet. The candida diet is a diet that seeks to restore the balance of the microflora of the intestinal system by greatly reducing or eliminating the excessive growth of Candida albicans. Candida albicans is a typically benign type of yeast found in the intestinal system that will ideally work in conjunction with “friendly” bacteria to keep the body healthy. Unfortunately, the bad habits common to our modern lifestyles often upset this delicate internal balance and it is very difficult to restore. Overuse of antibiotics, oral contraceptives, diets rich in processed / sugary foods, and stress all contribute to this internal imbalance. When the intestinal system is out of balance, poor health can develop and many experience symptoms throughout the body. The candida diet eliminates many foods that feed Candida albicans, but these are the foods that we are used to eating. We may even crave these foods, but we can learn to enjoy the new foods allowed on the candida diet and know which foods can help restore balance to our intestinal system.
Avocados are not just one of those foods that you will learn to enjoy on the candida diet, but you will find that it can actually play a direct role in helping you overcome your yeast problem. In addition to the high level of essential vitamins and nutrients it provides, avocados also have antifungal properties due to the high levels of oleic acid. This means that it will provide candida dieters with direct yeast-fighting benefits.
If you are not used to eating avocados, don’t worry. Going on the candida diet means exploring new foods outside of the boxes and cans that we have become accustomed to. Learning how to pick a ripe avocado will probably be your biggest challenge. A ripe avocado will be slightly soft but not bruised or dented. You can buy firm ones and ripen them at home but I prefer not to because I usually forget about them and let them spoil. Avocados are an excellent choice for the candida diet and can be eaten freely. If you haven’t already incorporated avocados into your candida diet, I suggest you try them right away.
For more information on living yeast-free on the candida diet, visit Yeast Free Living.
