Diet for vaginal yeast infection

Some studies have suggested that consuming gluten-rich food can harm the intestinal line. This can cause an imbalance in the concentration of gut microbes, leading to reduced quantities of healthy bacteria to fight the infection. However, more research is still needed to validate this theory. To go gluten-free, you can replace your wheat, rye and barley with pearl millet, sorghum, buckwheat and quinoa to make chapati, bread, cake, etc.

Garlic has many positive effects on our body such as boosting immunity, controlling cardiovascular diseases and gastric issues. Garlic also contains allicin, which is commonly used as an antifungal agent. It can be taken orally and applied topically to treat a vaginal yeast infection. For oral administration, you can have raw garlic as a tablet or crush it in your salad or chutney. For topical uses, garlic (allicin) creams are available at pharmacies.

Coconut oil is the richest dietary source of lauric acid. Many studies have suggested that lauric acid can be used to treat vaginal yeast infections. You can use it to cook your meals, in the tempering as well as for oil pulling in case of an oral infection. Make sure the oil you use is organic and pure. In the case of a vaginal infection, it can be applied topically to the affected area.

Turmeric is well-known for its pharmacological benefits and famous for its anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. There is evidence that says consuming turmeric can help treat vaginal fungal infections. To add this spice to your daily diet, either add the powdered form to different dishes or boil raw turmeric root with milk and drink it while it's warm.

Fermented foods are rich in probiotics. Many studies have shown that probiotics help our body fight infections. Probiotic foods contain live bacteria that help maintain a balance of healthy bacteria in our body, especially in the gut. To add more probiotics to your regular diet, try to have fermented foods such as idli, dosa, dhokla, jalebi, kimchi, fermented rice (curd-rice) and cultured food such as curd and buttermilk.

Sometimes antibiotics kill bad and good bacteria in the body, which can lead to vaginal yeast infection. In such cases, fermented foods can be helpful to restore the gut microbiome.

This infection is very common in women who have uncontrolled diabetes. High blood sugar levels can increase yeast growth in the vagina. So controlling your blood sugar with a diabetes-friendly diet can help control this infection. Try to maintain a low-carb, high-protein and high-fiber diet, which can include whole grains, pulses, legumes, low-fat milk, milk products, poultry, fish, seasonal fruits and vegetables. For a customized meal plan, you can consult your nutritionist with your latest reports and self-monitoring blood glucose readings.

(Read more: Diabetes Diet)

A suppressed or weak immune system can increase your chances of contracting this infection. Following are some foods that can help to boost your immunity and control this infection:

• Fruits: Fruits are rich in the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants required to boost immunity. But high glycemic index fruits can increase the blood sugar level in diabetic patients, which can act as a trigger for this infection. So if you are suffering from diabetes, choose fruits that have less sugar, such as oranges, sweet lime, papaya, apple, guava, kiwi, melons, etc. If you don’t have diabetes, you can choose any colorful and seasonal fruits.
• Vegetables: Vegetables are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, all of which help our body maintain good blood sugar levels, healthy body weight and ideal immunity levels. Choosing non-starchy vegetables can help control this infection. Try to add spinach, gourds, fenugreek leaves, lady finger, tomato, eggplant, etc in your daily meals.

Many studies have suggested that increased consumption of refined carbohydrates can promote this infection. Refined carbs are foods with a high glycemic index, which can raise blood sugar levels. Try to avoid food items that contain refined carbs such as all-purpose flour, white rice, white sugar, sugar syrup, fruit juice, carbonated drinks, biscuits, cake, etc. You can replace these foods with healthy and home-cooked foods.

Too much caffeine can impair the immune system of the body, leading to the recurrence of many infections, including vaginal yeast infections. So replace your caffeinated drinks with non-caffeine green tea, herbal tea, lemon water, buttermilk, etc.

There is mixed evidence that says lactose-rich dairy products can increase yeast growth by lowering pH levels in the digestive tract. You may want to exclude these foods from the diet to prevent the vaginal fungal infection if you react abnormally to lactose consumption. You may replace your dairy products with almond and soy milk products.