Below is some info on the properties of certain foods
If sweetening is required – xylitol (Birch Xylitol is best) – does not increase blood sugar levels and only contains 25% of the CHO content of sugar and has 40% of the calories. It prevents middle ear infections, suppresses some types of detrimental bacteria, prevents osteoporosis, promotes fat burning, prevents tooth decay and promotes the remineralisation of tooth enamel. Use instead of sugar in any sweet recipes, but remember it is still sweet, so not with anti-candida diet.
Stevia lowers elevated blood pressure and blood sugar levels, prevents the plaque that causes tooth decay and contains no calories. It can have an unpleasant after taste if you use too much. I find 3 drops is the maximum to use in a cup of tea or coffee or up to 15 drops in a bowl of breakfast food. If you need more sweetening then add a little honey with it or if you are not concerned about calories then use just honey (raw is best and it is the healthiest sweetener).
Green tea – 3 – 6 cups daily – Decrease blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol, stimulates digestion (increases Hydrochloric acid secretions (HCL) – good to drink with meals), reduces blood sugar levels, facilitates weight loss, the best source of natural fluoride, reduces the absorption of dietary fats and generates alpha waves in the brain inducing relaxation.
If you don’t like green tea, you can use white tea. White tea tastes more like black tea but without the bitterness and can be served with rice milk . White tea is processed to green tea, then black tea (fermentation process) and has similar properties to green tea but stronger.
Flaxseeds (linseeds) contain both soluble and insoluble fibre; they also have more soluble fibre than any of the brans at 10%, and oats (GF oats are best) comes in second at 8%.
Soluble fibre slows stomach emptying and promotes better nutrient absorption, decrease blood sugar levels and appetite. Insoluble fibre binds cholesterol and speeds up body waste removal.
Flaxseeds have protective functions against diseases such as prostate, breast and ovarian cancer and heart disease.
Good brain food.
Help balance female hormones.
Flaxseeds help the Kidneys to eliminate excess water and increases the body’s Basal Metabolic Rate (increased calorie and fat burning) and production of Energy
Sprinkle on porridge, salads, vegetables – 2 tablespoons twice daily or 4 tablespoons throughout the day. Linseeds keep very well for a long time without going rancid; however, when they are ground, they need to be kept in the fridge. It is best to buy whole seeds and grind in a coffee grinder – enough for one week and put in the fridge.
Buckwheat – strengthens the intestines, benefits good flora, good for chronic diarrhoea, strengthens capillaries and blood vessels, reduces blood pressure and increases circulation to the hands and feet. If toasted, it is known as Kasha, and becomes one of the few alkalinising grains (millet is another). Sprouted buckwheat is an excellent source of chlorophyll enzymes and vitamins and very high in iron..
Cinnamon suppresses many forms of detrimental bacteria and fungi, including candida albicans. It helps to lower elevated blood sugar and cholesterol, prevents and treats insulin resistance and enhances the function of insulin.
Quinoa – the highest protein content of all grains, warming and strengthening to the body, high in iron, B vitamins and vitamin E. Can be bought in health food shop as flakes and made into porridge. Add prunes or apricots and rice bran, oat bran or barley bran while cooking and linseeds when serving to make a highly nutritious, high fibre and high essential fatty acids ( Omega 3,6,9), complete protein food that is delicious.
Apples (Use organic with the skin on) improve digestive function, lower cholesterol and helps to prevent cancer. They are a good source of fibre, anti-oxidants and are calming – helps you to have better sleep.
Pears similar to apples also lower cholesterol and enhance liver function.
Bananas – alleviate constipation and diarrhea. Lower blood pressure. They contain calming nutrients, help sleep and are a good source of energy.
Millet is alkalanising (balances over acid conditions), retards bacterial growth in the mouth, high in amino acids and rich in silicon and good source of iron. It is anti-fungal (one of the best grains for candida), good for diarrhoea, indigestion, morning sickness and diabetes. Millet is known as the queen of the grains.
Oats (Gluten Free) – warming, soothing, restores nervous function, strengthens digestion, good for indigestion, abdominal bloating and preventing infections, one of the richest sources of silicon (good for hair, skin, nails, bones). Lowers elevated blood sugar and cholesterol. Use wholegrain oats, they take a little longer to cook than quick oats, about 20 mins.
Brown rice – the rice bran is good for lowering blood sugar levels and it is one of the most nutrient dense foods ever studied. It embodies over 70 anti-oxidants that can protect against cellular damage and preserve youthfulness, high in B vitamins and very good source of iron and trace minerals. Lowers excess fat and cholesterol, strengthens muscles while converting fat to lean body mass, improves blood circulation to the extremities and improves hormonal balance. It also absorbs toxins that will be eliminated through the bowel.
It is best to soak rice for at least 2 hours before cooking to remove substances that act as anti-nutrients and make it much more digestible. To make rice more alkaline, make it easier to digest as well as taste nicer and cook softer:
After soaking and rinsing – Dry roast in a pan for about 5 mins till the rice is golden and some of the grains have started popping. Carefully cool the pan by gently putting it in cold water – this is to prevent burning your self when you add water to it, as the water will steam quickly when added to the hot pan – add two cups water to each cup of rice and cook for about 25 mins on low heat, because the brown rice has been toasted, it will cook quicker. This method of cooking makes brown rice more palatable, easier to digest and cooks softer. You can also cook this with stock which is very nice.
Try mixing it with white basmati rice. 1/3 brown to 2/3 basmati if you don’t like brown and partly cook the brown rice before putting the basmati in – if you want to have white rice, then basmati is the best.
Eggs – only organic. Eggs are a great food, complete in protein, do not raise cholesterol and the latest evidence is that they may decrease cholesterol. High in lecithin which is good for brain and nervous system, cardiovascular system and digestive system. The egg yolk is high nutrients that keep cellular membranes stable which results in decreased growth of cancer cells, also contains substances that coat cancer cells. Once coated, the malignant cell is more likely to be destroyed by the immune system.
Avocado – high in good fats, reduces cholesterol, enhances immune system, high in potassium, good source of phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. High in fiber and helps liver detoxification.
Parsley improves function of digestive system, sexual system, kidney function, cellular health, heart. Reduces cholesterol and blood pressure. Good for the eyes and hair. Prevents some forms of cancer. Alleviates goitre and rheumatism. Improves mental function. Eliminates bad breath. High in iron and vitamin C- vitamin C from food is much better than in supplement form and is retained much longer by the body. Eat parsley daily.
Benefits of garlic –Garlic is good for inhibiting/killing many types of bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi, including Candida albicans – ask your practitioner for dosages..
Garlic will reduce elevated blood pressure and cholesterol, stimulate digestion and circulation, eliminates many types of parasites, bacteria, viruses and fungi, helps to prevent many types of cancer, lowers elevated blood sugar levels, promote fat loss, increases stamina and is a strong anti-oxidant. Thins mucous and helps to expel it
Onions are able to lower blood sugar levels and have cardiovascular benefits similar to garlic. Cooked onions contain a bioflavonoid (quercetin) that is anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-oxidant.
Chicken – organic or free range, hormone and anti-biotic free only.
Wild salmon – Tis is easy to find in tinned salmon. Unfortuantely, fresh or frozen wild salmon is expensive but you buy it from some health food shops or from organic health food shops like Wray Organics.
Other fish – only buy wild and preferably Australian or New Zealand fish. Never farmed overseas fish.
Tahini (sesame seed paste) – Inhibits absorption of cholesterol, is a powerfull anti oxidant and promotes fat burning as well as being a good anti inflammatory. Very high in Calcium (much higher than any dairy), potassium and other nutrients.
Nuts/ seeds – ½ cup of nuts and/or seeds daily provide other essential fats and protein. Nuts and seeds together make complete protein – have as a snack between meals or with 1 or two pieces of fresh or dried fruit. Best to soak nuts for at least 4 hours and rinse for easier digestion and to increase nutritional content. Also dry roasting helps them to be more digestible.
Include nuts and seeds in your diet.
To dry roast sunflower, pumpkin or any other seed, put in a dry pan on the stove and keep stirring until lightly coloured. Have one tablespoon of seeds as a snack – up to ½ cup daily is good – not ½ seeds and ½ nuts, ½ cup of either or both mixed in total. These are also delicious added to salads especially toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Dried fruit – always soak dried fruit in water overnight, it changes the property of the fruit from acidic to alkaline (acidic states cause disease) and increases its nutrient value, also makes a sweet addition to cereals or porridges.