Even this is off-limits now...

It’s honestly kind of bizarre how it feels like we’re constantly missing exactly what we aren't allowed to have 😬
Except, in my case, I'm strictly forbidden from having a whole mountain of stuff, so I guess I don't really have anything to swap it out with 😢

I suppose I thought it would be more logical that my cravings for coffee would spike whenever I’m eating poorly. But, strangely enough, I don't seem to miss it all that much. On the other hand, I find myself craving fruit quite intensely; though, I must admit, those canned fruit cocktails just aren't doing it for me.

Alright, I guess I'm throwing in the towel 😢 😢
So, I’ve gone ahead and cut out (well, temporarily 😈) dairy, and now I’m trying to get used to rice milk. It isn’t exactly revolting or anything, but let’s be honest—it doesn't even come close to being like actual milk. It’s also just not great with my coffee; I can't stand bitter coffee, and this stuff is way too sweet... though I suppose it might actually work okay in some vanilla green tea or something...
Honestly, screw dieting and all this food stuff 🙂 👎

I read somewhere that if you're dealing with a "candida overgrowth," you should cut out dairy entirely and switch to things like soy milk or soy-based products instead.

The candida test:

First thing in the morning, on an empty stomach and before brushing your teeth, spit into a glass of water (use bottled water
or filtered water with minimal chlorine).
Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
If you see "white threads" drifting down from the surface, it’s a sign that yeast
is dominating your saliva. Healthy saliva stays mostly intact near the surface.

I’ve started using rice malt instead of sugar, though it doesn't quite hit the spot for me.🙄 .
Supposedly, you need to load up on sauerkraut, garlic, probiotic foods containing Lactobacillus, coconut oil, or extra virgin olive oil. You can also try whey protein—either natural or the concentrated organic versions found at places like Whole Foods—along with grapefruit seed extract and cinnamon oil supplements blended with oregano, peppermint, and other herbs.

silvermason16 said:I read somewhere that if you're dealing with a "candida child," you should probably stay away from dairy altogether and switch to things like soy milk or other soy-based products instead...

The candida test:

First thing in the morning, on an empty stomach and before you even brush your teeth, just spit into a glass of water (use bottled
or filtered water, something without too much chlorine in it).
Let it sit for maybe 15 minutes or so.
If you notice these little "white threads" drifting down from the surface, that’s supposedly a sign that Candida is taking over your
saliva. Healthy saliva stays pretty thick and mostly just sits at the top.

I started using rice malt instead of sugar, but I don't know, it just doesn't seem sweet enough for me🙄 .
Apparently, you're supposed to eat tons of sauerkraut, garlic, stuff with Lactobacillus, coconut oil or maybe some cold-pressed olive oil, whey (you can find natural versions or buy it at a pharmacy—I think there's even a concentrated organic whey out there), and people also mention grapefruit seed extract and those cinnamon oil tablets mixed with oregano, peppermint, and various other herbs.

😘

Well, I can't touch soy milk or any soy products because I have a soy intolerance.

As for that saliva test, I've done it more times than I can count, and the result is always exactly the same.👎

You really have to cut out all sweets. And every single type of artificial sweetener, too.

I've tried everything you listed—I eat them, I use them, or I've used them in the past. Nothing works. Except for those cinnamon oil tablets, I guess.
And I even made my own goat milk kefir. Still nothing.

In my case, it seems like things are a bit more serious and stubborn.

What have you been taking to "boost" your immunity?
I'm considering picking this up: echinacea http://www.agram89.com/?pz=4
to build up my defenses, clear out the lymph, and prevent mucus buildup.

velvetwolf92 said:....................................

The idea behind this thread is to create a space where anyone dealing with dietary restrictions can vent about their frustrations and perhaps find a little comfort...

Look, velvetwolf92, I get the feeling you almost subconsciously enjoy this whole "I can't eat anything, poor me" persona, and honestly, that isn't helpful or healthy.
Unless you actually have a life-threatening allergy to everything you mentioned, diabetes, or heaven forbid some type of cancer that requires strict dietary management, you seem perfectly healthy—it just seems like a mental fixation.
Your candidiasis will stabilize once you bolster your immune system and restore a healthy gut flora (getting that balance of good and bad bacteria right again). You can't fix an immune system solely with supplements or pills; you need a balanced, varied diet. Sometimes, following doctors to the letter isn't the smartest move; you have to use common sense for your own well-being.
If you truly want to feel better and get back to normal, try combining your supplements (look up things like propolis, royal jelly, echinacea, or garlic online—there are endless options) with a gradual return to a regular diet. Eat a wide variety of foods in small, frequent portions. Also, try to minimize stress as much as possible, because stress is a guaranteed way to crash your immune system. Find your outlets to relax; everyone has them.
Don't overthink this or let it consume you.
You are a healthy person.

Nicole Lopez83 said:....if you actually want to feel better and get back to your old self, combine your meds with some supplements (think echinacea, garlic, honey, etc.—just look it up online, there’s a million options out there). Slowly transition back to a regular diet—eat everything, keep it varied, just stick to small, frequent meals. Minimize stress however you can, because it definitely tanks your immune system. Find a way to unwind; I'm sure you have your outlets, just like the rest of us. Don't overthink it or spiral too much. You're a healthy person.

👍
Plenty of wisdom and experience here. 😉

Nicole Lopez83 said:Look, velvetwolf92, I honestly get the feeling that you think your little... I mean, I’m basically starving myself here because I’m not allowed to eat a single thing, so I guess you could say I'm a total wreck right now. And honestly, that just isn't good, isn't useful, and frankly, isn't healthy at all.
I mean, unless you actually have a legitimate medical allergy to everything you just listed—like if you’re dealing with diabetes or, God forbid, some kind of cancer where you strictly have to watch what you eat to stay alive—then I guess you’re just a perfectly healthy person with a bit of a fixation going on in your head.
I honestly think yeast issues will only settle down once you actually take steps to fix your immune system and get your gut microbiome back in balance—you know, getting that ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria back where it belongs. You can't just expect to repair your immune system by popping a bunch of synthetic pills or relying on those cheap chemical supplements you find at the drugstore; that's just not how it works. To really see a change, you have to commit to a consistent, diverse, and actually healthy diet. I guess what I’m trying to say is that following a doctor's orders isn't always the smartest move in every single situation. Sometimes, you really have to step back, use some common sense, and do what's actually best for your own body.
I mean, if you don't even actually want things to get better, then what are we even doing here? It’s like, honestly, if there isn't some genuine desire deep down to change your situation, I guess everything else is just kind of pointless. You can talk about it all day, but without that actual drive, nothing moves. I guess if you’re actually looking to get back to feeling like a functional human being again, you really need to lean into a combination of things—like, combining medication with all those natural supplements you see everywhere. I'm talking about stuff like propolis, royal jelly, echinacea, maybe even just loading up on garlic; honestly, if you just spend five minutes digging around online, you'll find a million different options for things like that. But beyond the supplements, you should probably try to ease yourself back into a regular diet, too. Like, just eat everything, variety is key, but maybe stick to smaller portions more frequently rather than just gorging yourself once a day. And, I don't know, maybe try to cut down on the stress as much as you possibly can? Because let's be real, stress is a total killer when it comes to your immune system. You've got to find some way to unwind—find your own outlet or whatever helps you blow off steam, because I'm pretty sure everyone has one, even if we don't always admit it.
Look, I really think you should just stop overthinking this whole thing and quit tripping out about it so much. It’s probably better if you just let it go.
I mean, I suppose you could say that I’m a pretty healthy individual, if you want to look at it that way, though I guess it really depends on how you define being "healthy" in this day and age. I try to stay on top of things, I really do, but sometimes it feels like everything is just designed to make us feel run down, you know? I guess I consider myself sound enough, all things considered.

Look, I've gotta say, I really don't like this at all.
I honestly can’t stand the fact that, on top of everything else life throws at me, I also have to obsess over something as incredibly trivial as what I’m going to eat. It’s exhausting. I hate that I can’t just be spontaneous anymore, instead having to lug these damn granola bars around everywhere I go. It really burns me up that every single time I plan to be out of the house for more than a few minutes, I’m stuck worrying about whether I’ll get hungry, if my blood sugar is going to crash, or what on earth I’ll find to eat if that actually happens. And then there's the hassle of always needing to carry both a purse and a separate bag just to hold all my food supplies. I'm also sick of being stuck drinking some shitty tea every time I'm out. Maybe it sounds funny to people, sure. But after several years of this, believe me when I say it gets old. If that means I have to view myself as some sort of martyr, then fine, I guess I am. So be it.

I guess the truth is that I’m just constantly, incredibly on edge about absolutely everything lately. I can't seem to find any sense of calm, and honestly, finding some kind of inner peace feels almost impossible right now. It’s funny, because usually, it’s the tiny things that help me unwind—like grabbing a really good latte with extra foam, for instance—but even then, whenever I finally manage to treat myself to one of those little comforts, I immediately realize how much it's actually messing with my health. So, I end up having to give it up anyway, which just adds to the frustration, I suppose.
I don't have any kind of outlet lately. Everything just feels completely aimless and hollow, you know? Nothing really hits the mark anymore, and I honestly can't find anything that actually makes me laugh or brings me any sense of joy. It’s all just... meh.

As for that other part in bold, I honestly don't even know where to start. I mean, of course I don't want things to get better—it's just not how it works for me. If I actually started making progress, then nobody would have any reason to feel sorry for me anymore, and I wouldn't be able to play the martyr role I've gotten so used to. 🙄 I mean, honestly... I just can't even begin to wrap my head around it. It’s like, I sit here thinking about how things are going, and I just feel this overwhelming sense of frustration, you know? I guess I'm just being dramatic, maybe, but there’s something about the way everything seems to be unfolding lately that feels completely off. I don't know, I really don't. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what it is, but it’s enough to make me want to just throw my hands up in the air and walk away from the whole thing. I suppose I'm just venting, but sometimes you just have to say it out loud, right?
Look, I know there are plenty of people out there dealing with much more serious stuff—real, life-altering crises—and I’m supposed to feel guilty about that, right? Like, I should just be sitting here feeling incredibly grateful because, hey, at least I don't have some terminal illness or something equally devastating. But honestly? I’m not happy. I’m not satisfied, either. My quality of life feels like it’s circling the drain, even if someone looking in from the outside might think everything seems perfectly fine on paper. On paper, I suppose I have every single thing I need to be living my best life. I have all the prerequisites for happiness, really. And yet, I’m just not there. So, what now? Go ahead and shoot me for feeling this way!

I guess this whole thread hasn't exactly taken off the way I was hoping it would, honestly. It feels like everyone else seems to be handling the direction of this conversation a lot better than I am, if that makes any sense. As far as I’m concerned, this entire topic could just... 🙂

shadowtrucker18 said:Hiatal hernia and GERD. I don't have quite as many restrictions as you do, but enough to get on my nerves and make me cheat. Now they're telling me to cut out bread to lose some weight—not happening. What am I supposed to eat for breakfast then? Can't do milk, can't do fresh fruit... what's left? 😕

I have a hiatal hernia too. My doctor told me to ditch dairy, soda, and heavy meals, and that I need to eat smaller portions more often. But fruit?? No way, absolutely not. 😲

I’m still eating it like there's no tomorrow.

Is there anything else I should know? Enlighten me while I still can. 🙏

Do you eat any fruit, or is it just me? I think I might actually start doing it myself; honestly, I don't really care, since I feel like I'm constantly in a sour mood anyway.

But I was wondering, did the doctor mention anything regarding specific medications or a prognosis for recovery? I haven't heard much, just some follow-ups every few months that lead nowhere. All I get is being told to cut out bread because I'm putting on weight, and that’s about it. I don't even see the point in going back to the doctor anymore; every single visit, they just find some new food to strike from my diet. 😂

velvetwolf92 said:This thread hasn't quite taken off in the direction I was hoping for.

At the risk of sounding a bit too intense about this: someone really needs to move him over to the psychology department.

Based on my own experience—and the absolute misery I went through after a few burgers hit my stomach all at once—I’ve come to believe that overdoing it with unnecessary dietary restrictions isn't really healthy.
I'll go ahead and share my example with you. If it ends up being helpful in any way, I'd be happy to know.

I dealt with stomach issues, anxiety, H. pylori, and intestinal issues for about two and a half years. I lost about 45 pounds during that time. I was eating strictly what was "prescribed": white rice, boiled potatoes, and on my better days, steamed chicken. I stuck to rosehip tea and dry toast. I was so weak that I actually felt terrified when I’d hit a red light at a stoplight—I couldn't even stand there waiting for it to turn green. Honestly, the list of horrors is too long to recount. I couldn't work, and I couldn't even go out with friends because I’d turn pale from sheer exhaustion. I tried to be stubborn and refused to let it beat me, but it was brutal. Being in smoky rooms or places with loud music was impossible because I was just so drained. I took every single medication the doctors kept piling on me, along with all sorts of supplements and vitamins. Eventually, I just collapsed. On top of everything else, I caught tonsillitis, the beginnings of pneumonia, and bilateral kidney inflammation caused by E. coli—which I was supposed to be "flushing out" despite all the antibiotic therapy. All that heavy medication ended up triggering a kidney stone, which then led to more infections. After the longest, worst six months of my life—constant illness, being bedridden, a dozen different test results making me feel like an 80-year-old grandmother, an immune system in total deficit, and zero physical or mental strength left to fight—I finally reached my breaking point. I snapped. I threw away all the medications and gradually started introducing "normal" food. It wasn't an overnight change, and I had to be careful since certain things were strictly forbidden due to my kidneys and stomach, but I started incorporating full-fat organic milk and having a spoonful of honey on an empty stomach. For the first five or six days, I didn't feel great. But after that, it seemed like my gut flora finally stabilized. I sourced every natural remedy I could find and spent a fortune on them. At that point, I didn't want to hear another word about seeing a doctor, even if it killed me. Slowly, I began to pull myself out of bed. A month later, I was back at work and back in social settings—even returning to those crowded, unhealthy places filled with viruses, bacteria, and dirty glasses. In the end, it took me about a year to fully recover and return to a healthy weight.
Since then, I’ve been eating basically everything—as long as I do it smartly by eating frequently but in small portions. To be honest, sometimes I actually worry about my immune system; part of me fears that because I feel so resilient right now, something major is going to hit me out of nowhere. It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that I’ve gone an entire year without needing antibiotics, dealing with any bacterial infections, or catching even a common flu. I barely recognize myself. I used to be so run-down and sickly all the time. Back then, I was constantly walking on eggshells with my diet, worrying about this or that, and everything seemed to trigger a flare-up that ended with me hooked up to an IV.
Here is my best advice: stop messing around with your diet. There are times when life forces you into a specific regimen, but I don't see that being the case for you here. Ever since I started trying to lose weight, I have never played games with dieting. I don't do the whole "one day it's all protein, the next it's carbs, then it's just water and fruit" routine. People don't realize what that kind of fluctuation does to your body. Once you throw your internal balance out of whack, everything starts sliding downhill, and getting back on track is an uphill battle. It is difficult and incredibly tedious.
There’s a better way to tackle candidiasis than just jumping on another restrictive diet. I don't know if people think this is some groundbreaking miracle of modern medicine, but honestly, stay away from all that business about balancing your gut flora with "natural" remedies. Nobody ever warns you about the fallout that follows those methods. Once that starts, the endless chatter begins, and it can leave even the healthiest person feeling completely unhinged.
Believe me, velvetwolf92, you really ought to be grateful that you aren't dealing with something far more severe or dangerous. With the diet you're describing, you might inadvertently invite much bigger problems due to a lack of awareness. Just enjoy life and stay positive. You don't fall into that category of people with "dietary restrictions," so there is absolutely no reason to crave that lifestyle. Avoid it at all costs; it’s simply not worth the trouble.🙂

I am honestly so sorry you had to go through all of that. I’m just glad to hear you’re feeling better now.
I suppose I should be grateful that things weren't even worse, but I just can't bring myself to pretend that what's bothering me doesn't exist and then just go back to eating whatever I used to...
Looking back, I think I was struggling with this stuff even when I was just a kid, but nobody really picked up on it at the time. I guess years of being constantly hit with different antibiotics, over ten years of allergy immunotherapy, four years on birth control, and just constant, unrelenting stress all played their part...

I mean, I simply cannot eat something if I know for a fact it’s going to mess me up, sorry. I’ve put way too much time, effort, willpower, and—not to mention—money into trying to get my health somewhat under control. My immune system is incomparably stronger than it was a few years ago; I haven't caught the flu in years, no bouts of bronchitis either, and even those herpes outbreaks are way less frequent than they used to be...

But you know how it goes, I used to be pretty satisfied with the progress I made, but now I find myself wishing things were just a little bit better...

And please, for the love of God, don't start with the psychology talk 😬

I fail to see why a discussion regarding dietary restrictions would inevitably drift into psychology—strictly adhering to a regimen to protect one's health doesn't automatically make someone a nutcase. For instance, I've been following a strict diet for a year now due to high cholesterol—my labs are improving steadily, my physique is better than ever, and I've never felt more energetic. My only grievance is with those who roll their eyes when I opt for grilled chicken breast over breaded cutlets, reach for an unseasoned salad, or skip the egg-heavy pastries... I used to have a debilitating craving for chocolate—which was quite evident in my cellulite—but after some time on this regimen, my body chemistry has shifted; I couldn't force myself to eat it now, much as I couldn't stomach a Coca-Cola even if my life depended on it. I do, however, crave fruit—I bring apples and clementines to the office every single day. I've discovered endless recipes for fruit-based treats made with oats and whole wheat, free of eggs and fats, and have embraced vegetarian cooking and various ways to prepare vegetables—all in all, the lifestyle suits me just fine—and I don't believe that qualifies as a psychological issue.

I’ve been dealing with stomach issues since I was a kid—got diagnosed with gastritis back in high school. Then a few years ago, they found gallstones, and on top of all that, my cholesterol is spiked because of Hashimoto's. A few months back, my digestion and gut went totally haywire again, and honestly, I can't even tell if it's nerves, my thyroid, or something else entirely. My stomach burns every other day, or my gallbladder starts acting up, or I'm just bloated, or—to make matters worse—I'm dealing with bleeding because my bathroom routine is a complete mess.

Every time I step foot in a doctor's office, I'm basically on my knees begging them not to put me on some restrictive diet. I live for food. Like, I love eating almost everything. I've got this habit of grazing on a little bit of everything throughout the day—fats, proteins, veggies, sweets—and the mere thought of having to change my lifestyle makes me want to scream.

I get it, changing your diet doesn't show results overnight, but my "experiments" usually end in one of two ways: either my body has a massive meltdown because I changed an ingredient or a cooking method, or I just spiral into sadness and rage because I had to give up the stuff I actually enjoy. Either way, I bail pretty fast.

Deep down, I think most of this stems from my head. I feel like once I stop being so anxious and wound up—once I start handling daily stress like a normal person—maybe then I'll be able to eat whatever the hell I want without everything falling apart.

velvetwolf92, you went the strict diet route, and hey, it's awesome that you're actually seeing results. But if I were you, I’d tell you not to go overboard by cutting out *everything*. If I were in your shoes, I'd definitely treat myself to my favorites every once in a while. And let's be real—sometimes that intense craving for a specific food is just your body telling you it needs something.

At the end of the day, we all just need to figure out how to have a better relationship with our own bodies and actually listen to what they need. That’s the best "diet" there is.

Good luck, everyone. 😘

Sandra Wood45 said:...velvetwolf92, I know you've gone down this path with a super restrictive diet, but honestly, it’s great that you’re actually seeing some progress. I mean, I guess I'd probably tell you the same thing—don't go overboard by cutting out absolutely everything, if I were in your shoes, I'd at least treat myself to something I truly love every once in a while. I won't even get started on how sometimes, when you have an intense craving for a specific food, it might just be your body telling you it actually needs
it.
I really think we all just need to work on having a better relationship with our own bodies and actually listening to what they need and what works for them. That’s basically the best diet there is.

Good luck to everyone. 😘

Well, I do treat myself 😬 But the whole issue is that then I just end up feeling terrible afterward, because I'm convinced I'm doing something wrong.
And I totally agree with what you said about those intense cravings probably being a sign that the body is actually looking for something.

If I could just somehow find a way to calm my mind down, but I guess I'm still just fighting this internal battle.