There's another reason why I've decided to have a drastic change of diet. I currently have a candidiasis (yeast) infection, I've had it 2 or 3 times before. It causes a sore mouth, tongue and lips, itchy red and scaly rash on parts of my body, gut problems in the form of bloating and crampy pains, sinusitis, dandruff with a very itchy scalp. It also makes me feel very tired and achy. It's caused in my case by having a weakened immune system, chronic stress and eating too many carbs. In the past I've had courses of antifungal tablets and a gel for the oral thrush.....this time I'm attempting to treat it myself - I take enough (essential) medications as it is, I really don't want any more drugs.
So, along with my now mostly vegetarian diet, I'm cutting out all bread products - I only eat sourdough bread now anyway, but am stopping that for a couple of weeks. I'm not eating any pasta, rice, potatoes - simple carbs in other words - nor fruit except for berries or the occasional apple (too much sugar). I'm cutting out dairy milk (even my lactose-free milk) and drastically reducing my cheese intake. I'm not eating anything processed, only what I've made myself. I'm also not having my frothy coffees, which is the biggest trial for me, I do love them. It's hard doing all this, but if it gets rid of the infection and makes me feel better, it's worth it, I've been feeling so unwell lately. The really strict part of it is only for a couple of weeks anyway, then I can start reintroducing things slowly.
This is a very restrictive diet, so I'm taking a multivitamin and mineral tablet daily, along with acidophilus tablets to promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria to overpower the bad bacteria.
So now I'm drinking just 2 coffees a day - decaff coffee with unsweetened soya or coconut milk, I drink water the rest of the time. For breakfast I have live yogurt with berries and a small handful of almonds. Lunches are tinned salmon or sardines or a small amount of grated cheese or boiled eggs with salad veggies. Dinners are the veggie rissoles or nut roast or a fillet of white fish, with veggies like long stem broccoli, cauli, cabbage, Brussels, courgettes and asparagus. Nothing in between meals, I don't eat snacks.
For the first couple of days I had horrible withdrawal symptoms, which I expected - awful headache, even worse insomnia, brain fog, nausea, generally feeling yuck. Now I've been doing it for nearly a week, I'm beginning to feel better and hopefully even better still in the days to come.
That all sounds horrible for you, Sooze. But it sounds like the change of diet is starting to help. Regarding the itchy, flaky scalp, I have scalp psoriasis. I eventually discovered Neutrogena T-gel shampoo. The first time I used it, my scalp immediately stopped feeling tight, and after a few washes, the psoriasis was so much better. It's still there, and I now alternate with ordinary shampoo, but the itching and flaking has gone. It's expensive (about £7) but as you only need a small amount each time, it lasts. You can buy it at the supermarket. Maybe it would help you, although, hopefully the change of diet has already helped. xx
ReplyDeleteYears ago I stopped all foods with dairy and refined white flour, it was very restrictive, I also did it for health reasons, and like you I then started adding things to a level I could live with. I have lived like this most of my adult life, these days we don't eat process foods. BUT I could not give up my coffee, I do only drink fresh and always black. If I start to feel unwell, I always look at my diet first. Good luck, it will be worth it.
ReplyDeleteYour symptoms are so rough, I hope your strict diet will bring you back to good health. It is tough to give up so many things but you are doing it. I gave up coffee a year and a half ago and now have started drinking it again, I drink a cup of decaf a day, with frothed milk. Some people say you can froth Oatley, I don't know if that interests you.
ReplyDeleteRice would be my absolute downfall. Cauliflower rice just doesn't compare with a good bowl of Basmati. It'll be interesting to read how you get on.
ReplyDeleteSome of the plant milks have a barista range which froth up very nicely. If you are missing out on lots of the foods you like this might give you a wee lift.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're feeling a little better and the withdrawal symptoms have eased. Long may it continue. xx
ReplyDeleteI hope the change in diet works and since you gradually add the items you have removed you are sure to find what causes your problem. I am glad that you are feeling better now and those nasty withdrawal symptoms are disappearing.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I hope you rid your system of the infection. I used to be prone to thrush (vaginal), even one small glass of alcohol would start it off, so I cured myself by not drinking any at all and I havent had a flare up for years 🤞. I believe too much sugar is also a trigger for me, but I'm diabetic like you so it's in our best interest to limit this as well.
ReplyDeleteI hope the diet helps you, it sounds as though it might be starting to already. I did The Whole 30 to help me when I felt really unwell a few years ago, it sounds very similar to what you are doing, but it did include potatoes, which really helped when eating out as I could have a Jacket Potato and salad even though virtually everything else was off my menu.
ReplyDelete