Healthy Carbs, Candida Control, and What You Can Do To Soothe Autism Symptoms [Podcast Episode #210]

2024-12-25

What is the difference between a bad carb, that feeds candida and causes blood sugar imbalance, and the healthy ones? When removing the inflammatory foods from the diet we are simultaneously taking away the sugars the candida and other pathogens use to thrive. As this happens we are likely to see some triggering symptoms such as heightened behaviors, worsened sleep, lethargy, headaches, and more. We need to remove the bad carbohydrates that feed candida so we can get it under control, but the brain also needs some glucose which ...

What is the difference between a bad carb, that feeds candida and causes blood sugar imbalance, and the healthy ones?

When removing the inflammatory foods from the diet we are simultaneously taking away the sugars the candida and other pathogens use to thrive. As this happens we are likely to see some triggering symptoms such as heightened behaviors, worsened sleep, lethargy, headaches, and more.

We need to remove the bad carbohydrates that feed candida so we can get it under control, but the brain also needs some glucose which is converted from carbs. Without any carbs our sleep and energy can be affected.

What is the difference between a bad carb, that has to go, and the healthy ones? Carbs are sometimes referred to as “simple” versus “complex” or “whole” versus “refined.”

Not all carbs are created equal

Whole carbs are minimally processed and contain the fiber found naturally in the food, while refined carbs have been processed more and have had the natural fiber removed or changed. These refined, or processed carbohydrates turn to sugar in the body and cause blood sugar spikes that can lead to diabetes and weight gain, and their sugar also feeds candida and other pathogenic microbes in the gut.

Parents commonly tell me that the bad foods are all their child will eat and they fear not getting any nutrition into the child if they stop eating these foods. The reality is that these processed carbohydrates also lack essential nutrients, as well as damage the gut from inflammation and other toxins, so the child is not only not getting nutrition but actually continuing to have their gut and overall health damaged.

Some BAD, processed carbs with grains to AVOID that are also are high in carbohydrates include, but are not limited to:

gluten

white bread

refined pasta

white rice

crackers

breakfast cereal

pizza dough

potato chips (and products made with potato starch and potatoes in general)

instant oatmeal (no oats in general)

corn

Additionally, be sure to avoid dairy, especially cow’s milk. It is highly inflammatory, and naturally high in sugar. For a list of the top 7 foods to avoid, and why, you can get my free food guide at autismcheatsheet.com.

What Is A Healthy Carb?

Healthy carbs are whole food, minimally processed, and grain free. These are acceptable in moderate amounts even on a candida diet, but the key word here is moderation.

We are removing the bad carbohydrates such as processed ones to help starve out the candida, however, if sleep becomes disrupted from a lower carbohydrate diet then add back in some healthy carbohydrates and give a protein/carb snack before bedtime such as sliced apple with almond butter.

To give your child’s brain some food with glucose to help sleep and to help a bit with calming, you can add some grain free, whole food carbohydrate foods into the diet such as: