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You pee after sex. You don’t douche. You avoid unnatural sex toys. And yet, for some ungodly reason, you still manage to keep getting yeast infections. We’ve all been there at some point or other, but we don’t have to be.
There are several products on the market, including intimate washes, that provide therapeutic benefits that can be great at maintaining healthy pH balances in your most sensitive area. While these washes can help alleviate the problem, there’s still a question of what can cause persistent yeast infections in the first place.
One possible culprit could be your diet. Did you know that there are certain types of foods that can actually make those infections keep coming back. There are also those that can actually help prevent them.
So what’s the link between diet and yeast infections? Let’s take a look.
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Yeast Creator: Alcohol
Alcohol actually helps create a chemical in your body that encourages yeast infections, and then kills the production of the enzyme that might fight that chemical. So it harms you in two ways. That doesn’t mean you can’t drink at all, but if recurring yeast infections are a problem then hitting the bar in moderation might be advised.
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Yeast Fighter: Pickled Foods
Keeping healthy bacterias and fighting off bad ones in your vagina is key to limiting your chances of having yeast infections. Pickled foods like kimchi, sauerkraut and, of course, pickles contain lactic acid bacteria, which falls in the healthy category.
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Yeast Creator: Refined Sugar
Studies have found a correlation between regular blood sugar spikes, followed by crashes, and increased risk for yeast infections. These spikes and crashes are usually caused by refined sugar, which you shouldn’t be consuming in abundance anyway. This just gives you another reason to make healthier food choices.
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Yeast Fighter: Good Carbs
You might be tempted to kick carbs entirely off your plate when you hear blood sugar control is involved in managing yeast infections. But research has also found a totally zero-carb diet can actually increase your risk of infection. Stick to healthy carbs like potatoes and brown rice, which have high glucose but low fructose. That balance is key.
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Yeast Creator: Mushrooms
Although mushrooms have considerable nutritional value, this vegetable is a no-go if you struggle with yeast infections. The fungus of mushrooms can make a yeast infection stay even longer than usual.
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Yeast Fighter: Yogurt
The cultures in yogurt can fight off yeast. Just make sure you’re opting for a low-sugar one, since we know sugar is bad for your va-jay-jay.
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Yeast Creator: Cheese
Yogurt may get a pass, but not all dairies are equal. Cheese —especially ones that contain mold like blue cheese — can feed a yeast infection. So anything cheesy should be avoided if you’re already suffering from one.
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Yeast Fighter: Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is like a magic elixir. Not only does it help balance your vaginal pH levels, but it also boosts your immune system to help fight off fungus and yeast, and kills bacteria.
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Yeast Creator: Certain Grains
Some grains like wheat, amaranth, corn, millet, rice and rye can cause the blood sugar highs and lows we discussed earlier. So the same rules apply: avoid these grains if you’re suffering from a yeast infection.
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Yeast Fighters: Cruciferous Vegetables
Promoting healthy levels of candida in the body can be key in warding off yeast infections. Vegetables like kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts and cauliflower can help ward off this fungus.
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Yeast Creators: Certain Meat Products
Antibiotics can mess with your vagina’s natural, healthy bacterias. You probably already knew that, but did you know that some meat products can add antibiotics to your system? These can mess with your body’s good bacteria and bring on yeast infections.
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Yeast Fighters: Beans
Beans are not only a great vegetarian source of protein — which means there aren’t any added growth hormones or antibiotics — but they’re also high in fiber and fight blood sugar spikes and crashes.
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Yeast Creators: Deli Meats
You might only think of the high sodium in these products as being harmful, but look closer: salami, bacon, bologna and other similar meats are filled with sugar. That’s yet another thing you don’t want in your system when you’re trying to combat or prevent a yeast infection.
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Yeast Fighters: Raw Garlic and Onions
These are natural anti-fungal foods and can battle yeast infections tremendously. Eat them as much as you’d like! If your partner complains about your breath, just remind him that by eating these foods you’re keeping your vagina open for business.
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Yeast Creators: Shellfish
You’ll want to avoid these if you already have a yeast infection. Since shellfish feed off the bottom of the ocean, they pick up all sorts of toxins that can have an inflammatory effect on your yeast infection.
