Well here we are again, Wednesday! This past week has been an interesting one that’s for sure. My eating patterns have changed quite a bit over the couple weeks, mainly the result of trying some changes to help with my energy levels, digestive issues and low iron. On the advice of a few lovely readers and bloggers (thank you everyone!) as well as some research I’ve done, I decided to test out an anti-candida diet. Basically a very low sugar diet with essentially no fruits :( I won’t get into all the details yet, mainly because I’m really stumbling through it all. One second I think a food is fine and eat it and the next I hear I should avoid it, not to mention the seriously conflicting opinions out there! But either way, I actually am feeling a bit better, probably because, despite making some errors, I have radically cut down the sugar load on my body and thus am experiencing less drastic changes in my blood sugar!
If anyone has any advice or tips, I’m all ears! Even any recipes or snack ideas are welcome! You can expect that most of the recipes I’ll be posting for the next little while will be anti-candida friendly, but still very delicious I promise you.
So now that that’s out of the way, it’s time for this week’s What I Ate Wednesday. For those of you who are new to this idea, head over to our lovely host’s blog, Jenn @ Peas and Crayons for more info and to check out everyone else’s eats!
My day was actually fairly boring. It was my day off, but a hip injury (that I have no idea how I got) kept me parked on the couch for most of the day and limping when I wasn’t. I hope this heals soon because working on it’s going to be a pain!
started with my usual lemon water. this picture is the remnants of it, but I’m sure you all know what lemon water looks like
this was actually a first in a while! A smoothie. Many believe that cranberries, along with lemons and limes are acceptable fruit to eat on an anti-candida diet and since we had a bag of frozen cranberries in the fridge, I figured, why not try a smoothie? It was so good to get to have one again!
this is more along the lines of what I’ve been eating lately so I thought I’d share it! While it looks like a smoothie, it is actually a “carrot cake” chia seed pudding. Carrots, along with vanilla and stevia have given me some sweetness that fruit usually provides.
update: here's the recipe for my carrot cake chia pudding!
next up there was a mug of Pau d’Arco tea, which is great for candida. I made a big batch of it up a couple days before since you are supposed to simmer it for 20 minutes, and who’s got time for that everyday? Here it is before I poured out a mug and warmed it up.
a couple of these, using-up-my-almond-pulp-bites. They aren’t really recipe worthy but they’re basically almond pulp, coconut oil, coconut flour, almond butter, protein powder and stevia. Not something I would feed to anyone else, but they sure do help with sweet cravings.
update: here's the recipe for my Protein and Fiber Bites
for lunch, I had what I like to refer to as a “Vegan Bowl”, a concept I’m sure is familiar to many of you- you just take a grain, some veggies, a protein and a sauce and BAM lunch is served. This was a particularly tasty creation with quinoa (yes it is under there!), broccoli, kale, pan-fried tofu and an avocado sauce. This was so tasty, I’m glad I made extra for leftovers!
and a couple (and then some) more! Don’t judge me, I was out of my dips that I’ve been having with veggie sticks ;)
followed by some vanilla and almond rooibos tea. As a side note, this mug is one of my favourites. I got it for my mom last Christmas and it displays the quote, “You must allow me to tell you, how ardently I admire and love you”. Any takers on what that’s from?
sorry about the terrible photo!
for dinner I wasn’t super hungry since I snacked a little too much, so I just roasted up a bunch of veggies that were in the fridge, served them over arugula with some hemp oil and lemon juice. In the mix were radishes, parsnips, carrots and the centers of a yellow zucchini (I used it to make noodles the other day, and didn’t want to waste the inside!), roasted with salt, pepper and a little cayenne.
I hope you all have a wonderful day! I’m dreading mine- a hip that’s really sore and we’re going to be understaffed :( Needless to say I can’t wait for tonight! There will be lots of sitting and tea drinking to look forward to :)
What is the recipe for your carrot cake chia seed pudding??!!!
Haha I will post it later today/tomorrow! Promise.
I wish you lived near so I could give you the insides of my zucchini, haha! I really don’t like zucchini cooked, except in muffins, so I just enjoy them as noodles. :)
Haha aww man I would totally love that! Oh well, I’ll just pretend ;)
What’s life if you aren’t moving forward, right? Even if it means taking two steps back beforehand.. it is the journey that matters and it is awesome that yuo keep trying new things. :)
I know that eating all the sugars from fruits isn’t necessarily good for me, but it is one of those seasonal things that I find so hard to resist!! I try to pair it with savoury dishes, though, instead of desserts…
In any case, I look forward to seeing how you like the anti-candida diet and sharing your winning recipes. :)
You are so right :) I feel it’s time for a change too!
Fruit is hard to resist and I miss it so much! I think I’ll try and pair it with savoury things more when I start eating it again. I figure it will be a good idea to keep even natural sugars down!
I hope I have it in me to live up to your expectations ;)
that chia pudding looks like absolute heaven! Best of luck with figuring out the new diet. There’s probably a lot of hard parts, but it’s also a chance to discover new recipes and combinations you would otherwise never have thought off. I’m having problems with low iron as well, so please let me now if your switch in diet changes that for the better.
Thanks! I finally got around to writing out the recipe for it so I’ll post it soon :)
And yes, I am definitely expanding my ideas of what good breakfasts, snack and desserts are which is awesome, since these no-sugar alternatives will be great to have around even when I do reintroduce some sweet :) I will be sure to let you know!
I’m so glad I have to you bounce Anti-Candida ideas around with! I’m going to try the almond pulp-bite things as I am making almond milk tomorrow. I got a yoghurt maker so have made a batch of almond milk yoghurt using probiotoc capsules for the culture – with some stevia and cacao nibs it’s super yum!
I cut out carrots – I thought they were too high sugar? Sure do miss them! It’s SO hard to know what is right/wrong, huh?
Healing vibes for your hip! x
Wow Lou that yogurt sounds amazing! I am totally missing my coconut yogurt (mines pretty ghetto though, no fancy yogurt maker ;)) but since I’m moving I have been avoiding making it! I love the idea of a cacao nib yogurt, genius!
In regards to carrots, I found 2 separate pretty wee regarded resources that said carrots were totally fine! One said unlimited and the other said unlimited raw and a little less cooked. So hopefully they’re right!
Finally got around to ordering myself some supplements- garlic, oregano, etc. So I’m pumped to get those!
And thanks, my hip is totally responding to your vibes :)
You poor thing. I’m so sorry about your hip. Hope you start feeling better :) Even though your dinner is simple, it still looks delicious. :)
Thanks, it’s on the mend! And sometimes the simplest things are the most delicious aren’t they?
Hope you feel better soon…i know how hard it is to follow a new diet but you seem to be doing very well. Good luck :)
Thank you so much :) I think it’s all about getting creative and making sure your kitchen is stocked with the right foods!
Gabby, I think you’re doing extremely well on your anti candida diet. You go girl! I know it’s not easy. I went without sugar including fruits for 2 months – not even stevia! What really helped was lots of protein. In all my 13 years as a vegan I could never ever go without sugar but when I did the sugar-free diet I ate enough meat/fish/eggs/yogurt and didn’t crave any sugar. I know you’re vegan but maybe the protein link can help. Vegan protein powder, greens, tofu, etc…
Thanks Heather! That’s a really good tip! I’m finding that as long as I’m full I’m ok so I’m definitely going to up my protein and healthy fats :)
That’s crazy you even went without stevia for 2 months! I remember I did that one for like a week and that was enough. You have crazy willpower!
oh no..so sorry about your hip. hope it heals soon.
good to hear though that you are feeling better in terms of your health. Hope you nail the diet that works best for you soon.
The veggie bowl is quite what i put together too. the protein is usually leftover bean stews. mm lemon water:) i should drink more water. I cannot digest raw smoothies for the life of me. I am happy with water, whole fruits and cooked greens. wierd tummies.
Thanks Richa! You know it’s funny what you said about smoothies. I’ve been trying to simplify mine lately to be more digestible. Because you’re right- all those crazy ingredients we throw in there are taxing for our poor tummies!
i think its all the blending and too many things together. i can eat a raw fruit, but blended with other things. nope.
i also read somewhere that the blending destroys the fibre. to blend or not to blend.
for protein i eat lots of different lentils and legumes in each meal. not sure if beans legumes work on the anti candida
I find I like blending precisely because it does start to break the food down, which helps given some digestive issues. On the version of the plan I’m following, I am allowed grains to a certain extent and legumes including some tofu and tempeh so I’m definitely incorporating loads of those to help me feel satisfied.
I’m sorry you’re having such a tough time. I think you’re in Canada, but there’s a product I use called ‘Candex’ that’s been around for a while that works really well! Also, if I eat something sweet, I always follow it up with some a clove or two of raw garlic. I seriously notice the difference, and garlic is known to help digestion! I hope you feel better!
Thanks for the advice Lauren. I decided to give a couple products similar to Candex that I’ve found available in Canada a try, and they should be here in a couple days :). I have been taking a clove of garlic/day for 3 days now, so hopefully it helps! Thanks so much for your advice!
I certainly hope the anti-candida diet works for you and that your mysterious hip injury goes away! I don’t like hearing that you’re not feeling well and limping! :-( As usual, your eats look terribly appetizing, regardless of any restrictions you have.
And the quote is from Pride and Prejudice. :-)
Thanks Kristy! My hip is on the mend, thankfully and I was able to work on it fairly well, with the help of a little ibuprofen.
Yesss, you’re the first one to take a guess. I’m so glad you love that story as much as my mom and I do :)
I keep reading this as anti-canada eats! Anyway, those roasted veggies… omg, yum! :)
Haha well that would be a strange post considering my Canadian nationality ;) Yes those veggies were delicious!
What is the recipe for your smoothie and the chia pudding???!!
I will post those soon for you! I just need to actually take note of what I did! ;)
I am so happy to hear that you are feeling a little better – the carrot cake pudding sounds so wonderful! I wish I could help but have no idea, I am guessing that you have been talking to Caralyn the total anti candida pro!
Thanks Heather! And yes, her recipes are totally inspiring me :)
Damn, it sucks about the diet change… I hope it will help! I don’t know anything about candida so I’m not help :(
Thanks Kammie, the support is all that is needed :)
Sorry to hear you are still struggling with those health problems. I know about how scary candida is, I thought I had it a month ago and its still not clear. And now your hip? Jeez girl you need a break! Either way I admire you for your relentless optimism and I use it as inspiration. Hang in there!
Aww Heather thank you, that just made my day! I figure it could always be worse right? And I really like challenges when it comes to my diet so I’m actually kind of enjoying that part of it :) hopefully my hip heals soon. Eating lots of anti-inflammatories!
Hey Gabby! So the first thing I thought when I read this was how sad you must be about the smoothies! I read about the anti candida diet and thought about giving it a try but I didn’t know if I could do it. I know that you’ll be able to make the necessary adjustments and while it may be hard, hopefully it will help and you’ll feel better! It sounds like it is starting to work already, I’m glad you felt a difference in your energy already!
The cranberry smoothie sounds delicious! The carrot cake chia pudding sounds awesome! Any chance we’d be able to get the recipe for that ;) Your vegan bowl sounds awesome, I think that may be a way I’d be able to eat kale. I have a hard time with kale in the non chip form but I’ve been trying to work it in to my diet. Yummy looking salad!
Try to have a good day and enjoy your rest tonight! :)
Yes Sarah, the smoothies are the hardest part! I have been working on a couple alternatives to them which help a bit, but nothing will replace the fruitiness!
I will definitely post the pudding recipe. I just need to actually measure everything out next time lol.
Ya definitely try kale in a bowl! Smother it in some sauce with other veggies and you’d probably barely notice it! Plus it’s actually very nutritious when cooked!
Hope you’re having an ok day too! I know you have some long days, so keep pushing it will be your day off soon!
Best of much with your new diet my friend – seems like it is well under control right now :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Hehe thanks Uru!
Happy International Green Smoothie Day Gabby!
I’m sorry about your hip. I really hope it heals quickly.
Your recipes still look gorgeous despite having no sugar.
It’s very confusing all the conflicting advice isn’t it? I was so confused when I was trying to heal myself and I kept trying different things. I also tried a candida diet and cut out fruit and sugar and did feel a bit better for a while too. But then I started to feel worse again so that’s when I went to 80/10/10 and it worked for me. Doug Graham thinks that fat is the problem with a candida overgrowth and not natural sugars coming from fruit. But we are all different and we all find different diets work well for each of us. Some people thrive on a no fruit diet. My brother and wife are on the Dukan diet and have no fruit but feel a lot better than they did on their previous diet. For me a high raw vegan, high fruit diet works really well for me, but like you I’m still making tweaks and striving to be healthier. I’m glad you’re feeling better though.
Thanks for the great posts
Katherine
International green smoothie day? Best holiday ever!!
Ya it’s so interesting how was works for some doesn’t work for others. I’m hoping the no fruit thing won’t have to be a permanent thing, but for now it feels good and I don’t actually miss fruit too much funnily enough, except in my smoothies ;) good to know that you found 80/10/10 helpful, since I heard a lot of people with candida find that is what works. I’ll be sure to go to you for advice should I need it!
Have a great day :)
Carrot cake chia seed pudding?? Wow! In fact, all of these meals / snacks are amazing, especially given the low sugar restriction.
Thank you! I don’t think I could do it if I wasn’t eating deliciously ;)
Love roast veggies for a quick, nutritious and delicious dinner! Looks yum :)
You always know roasted veggies are going to be delicious :)