Candida and Quinoa – Is it safe to eat?

Hey guys, it’s FAQ time. Slightly delayed because of my birthday. But there we go…

Check out what questions people have been asking me:

QUESTION ABOUT QUINOA:

What are the side effects of eating Quinoa?

Have you heard any conclusive evidence for or against quinoa for the strict phase of the candida diet?

Q: I was wondering if you could clear up some confusion for me regarding quinoa.  On thecandidadiet.com the strict diet food list states that quinoa is okay to eat.  However, I am seeing some other theories on the same site stating that quinoa feeds candida.

A: Technically quinoa is a seed, and not a ‘grain’. Looks pretty though, doesn’t it?

Since it’s not a grain you could presume it’s ok to eat during stage 2 of the candida diet (where you are not allowed to eat grains).

You should never the less avoid eating quinoa during this strict phase (or as long as you have digestive symptoms), and here is why:

The strict phase is aimed at eliminating anything that feeds candida and anything that could cause an allergic reaction. Quinoa unfortunately is known to do both.

• It contains carbs which feeds candida.
• And quinoa also contains anti-nutrients that bind to minerals in your gut that can cause magnesium or zinc deficiency, which again can have a knock-on effect on all sorts of other metabolic processes in your body.

That’s why Quinoa is called a ‘pseudo-grain‘, because it not only looks and tastes like a grain, it also causes problems similar to a typical gluten intolerance from grains.

Quinoa can contribute to a “Leaky Gut”

The phytic acid, lectins and saponins in it are also  known contributors to “Leaky Gut Syndrome”. So if you have ever had issues with feeling bloated and experienced pain in your lower abdomen after eating then I strongly recommend you stay away from quinoa and all other grains for several weeks to give your digestive system a rest.

The fact of the matter with Candida is that your intestines are definitely in some way or another compromised. In that state I would not take any chances and go “grain free” during the first 2-4 weeks of candida diet at least (longer if digestive issues persist).

Other side effects of Eating Quinoa/ Allergic Reactions

Quinoa can also cause allergic reactions with some people.

So you could end up with flatulence, bloating, IBS, nausea, sneezing, asthma, skin irritation or you might feel fatigued after eating it. So don’t blame this on “die off” symptoms, in case you are taking antifungals.

Even if you think quinoa agrees with you, why not test it? By that I mean eat it and listen in with yourself afterwards – how did you feel a few hours after eating it?! Then try and eat practically the same foods the next day, but this time no quinoa – how do you feel?

Bearing in mind that once you have irritated your gut lining, you will most likely experience uncomfortable digestive complaints for quite some time thereafter – this might skew your test results if you are only quinoa free for one day…

Sadly, quinoa did not seem to agree with me early on in phase 3, although I totally loved eating it!

Even these days I only eat it occasionally say once every 2 months in a chicken vegetable soup or as a side dish, not as a daily breakfast choice or snack.

Everyone is different though. Maybe it will not cause you any problems. Quinoa is after all very nutrient rich, and especially useful if you are vegan. If you are new to eating quinoa and want to give it a shot, here’s some info to get you started:

Instructions how to cook fluffy Quinoa (Plus Recipes)

• It’s a good idea to buy organic quinoa that has been ‘pre-soaked’ and ‘washed’ to remove some of the damaging ‘saponins’.
• And aim to eat no more than 100g (1/2 cup cooked quinoa = 1/4 cup uncooked) in one meal.

If you don’t have dietary restrictions, here’s a great resource for cooking fluffy quinoa and also some handy basic recipes, and then there’s of course these marvelous quinoa veggy burgers and these delectable sweet potato and salmon cakes – oooh, I could get very excited about quinoa!

QUESTION ABOUT FOOD SEASONINGS ON THE CANDIDA DIET:

Everything tastes bland on the Candida Diet – how can I season my food?

Click on the link to go directly to the answer here (including 5 useful ways to season your food).

You can find out more candida related stuff in the next FAQ session on the 5th of April. Pop your question in the comment box below if you’d like to be included. Don’t wanna wait that long? Then you might want to sign up to my newsletter – that gives you direct email access to me

P.S. I shared this post with Wellness Weekend, Healthy Vegan Fridays, Gluten Free Fridays and Thank God it’s Quinoa– where you can pick up useful tips & recipe inspiration every week. I recommend you check them out.

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