Why is Alcohol not Allowed on the Candida Diet?

I figured it was a good time to write a post about alcohol and the candida diet because this is an area that I am currently struggling in.  As I am sure you know alcohol is not allowed on the candida diet but I had a drink last night while I was out with some girlfriends at Fridays.   Despite the fact that I gave myself the usually pep talk about having will power and resisting temptation before I left the house once I was out with the girls and having a good time I felt unable to resist.  I don’t need to drink but I like to drink while in social settings in which it is appropriate.  I guess this means I am a social drinker and I know it means that my recovery from candida overgrowth will be compromised by my social drinking.  I am headed out again tonight.  This time I will be going to a party at a friend’s house.  I am sure there is going to be alcohol there and I just wanted to refresh my memory regarding the candida diet and alcohol dilema and if there are perhaps any choices  that I at least a little better than the sugar laden drink I chose on a whim last night.  I do feel crappy today and I think it is because of all the sugar in that drink.  I did only have one drink so I guess I practiced some restraint but I want to do better tonight. 

So why is alcohol not allowed on the candida diet? According to William G. Crook, MD a pioneer in treating candida overgrowth in countless numbers of patients states the following regarding alcohol:

” Wines, beers and other alcoholic beverages contain high levels of yeast contamination, so if you’re allergic to yeast you’ll need to avoid them.  You should stay away from alcoholic beverages for another reason: They contain large amounts of quick-acting carbohydrate.  If you drink these beverages, you’ll be feeding your yeast.”

So there are two things that we have to consider about alcohol consumption.  Are you allergic or sensitive to yeast?  If so then consuming alcoholic beverages that contain yeast will probably exacerbate your candida overgrowth symptoms.  The second matter at hand that many alcoholic beverages have a exorbitant amount of quick-acting carbohydrates which raise blood sugar levels and feed the yeast.   Additionally many hard liquors are enjoyed with sweet accompaniments such as juice, sour mix and fruit and these are also a
no-no on the candida diet, as they too feed the yeast.  So what are we candida sufferers to do about alcohol beverages?  Is there any alcohol that is okay on the candida diet?  I found that consuming small amounts of vodka and gin, which are both extremely low in carbohydrates may be okay for the candida dieter.  Any distilled liquor should be okay since the yeast is removed in the distillation process.  This does not mean that consuming a whole bottle of vodka or gin is healthy for you all it means is that on your occasional night out a serving of vodka or gin may not cause a setback in your candida diet.  As always your body will guide you with the presence or absence of symptoms and this is how we find out what is best for us.  I hope this helps you navigate through the candida alcoholic dilemma a little better.  I am off to my party.   Have a great night!