It is sometimes difficult to actually decide weather or not a specific food is suitable for a yeast free diet or not. While some foods like bread and cakes are obviously not yeast free other foods are not so obvious. Why some grains are allowed and others are not can be really confusing. At present there doesn't seem to be any scientific research that has led to definitive list.

A yeast free diet is normally suggested for people who have an overgrowth of yeast in the stomach or intestine, but it can be an effective remedy and method of prevention for infections in other areas of the body. An overgrowth of yeast can occur after taking a course of antibiotics, after surgery or illness, or can just be caused by stress. The immune system is weakened and the yeast fungus expands and can cause serious problems if it isn't treated..

It is important to use your own experience and read the labels of any food you buy. Most processed foods contain sugar or sweeteners. Other foods contain additives that are difficult for the body to deal with and weaken the immune system further allowing the yeast to grow. Also certain foods contain substances naturally, like fruit with sugar. Most fruit and some root vegetables contain fructose which is a natural sugar. It is also present in honey. Have you ever noticed how raw carrot has a sweet taste.

Wheat flour is the prime reason bread, cakes and biscuits are excluded from the diet. White flour is very high in gluten which is the starch that holds the bread together after cooking. Starch is a carbohydrate the same as in potatoes and rice. The body requires a certain amount of carbohydrates to function so potatoes and rice are chosen over bread because bread does have extra sugar added, as do most cakes and biscuits.

Beer, wine and spirits do contain small amounts of sugar but the underlying reason for being excluded from the diet is totally different. When alcohol is broken down by the digestive system it produces sugar. This is then carried around the bloodstream to various parts of the body. The yeast will feed off this direct from the blood if necessary.

Vinegar and products that contain vinegar are excluded. This includes mayonnaise, ketchup and most other sauces. Vinegar is made using fermentation process similar to beer and wine. While it doesn't contain alcohol it is very acidic and kills good bacteria. A home remedy is to put some in a warm bath for skin or vaginal infections. The acid does kill the yeast but it also kills beneficial bacteria which prompts a return of the infection.

Dairy products are a bit of a mixture. Cheese is not allowed because bacteria are used in it's production. Again you are giving your body another enemy to fight. Milk is okay but it has been found to contain antibiotics, pesticides and growth hormones which is a good reason not to drink it. Organic milk from nuts or vegetable milk is okay but check for additives. Eggs are recommended for the protein and vitamin content. Eat as many eggs as you want.

So we can see the selection of foods that are allowed and those that aren't can be a potential minefield. Initially fresh green vegetables and meat with small amounts of rice or potatoes are best. Add other foods as you become more confident as to weather they are suitable. It is important to monitor your health on a daily basis and keep records so you can track your progress and quickly identify any problem foods.