“What can I put in my green smoothies if I’m battling candida?”

The recommendations for which foods to eat and avoid on the so-called “candida diet” are all over the place. Experts can’t even agree as you’ll find websites with conflicting information.

The information in this post deals with candida overgrowth. I’m not necessarily referring to conditions like oral thrush (candida in the mouth) or a yeast infection which is easily treatable. What I am referring to is so-called “systemic candida overgrowth” which is frequently diagnosed in the natural health and the raw food movements.

Systemic candida overgrowth is said to be a condition where the naturally occurring candida albicans microorganism normally living in the human digestive tract undergoes a population bloom and moves into other parts of the body including the blood stream. Various candida diets, lifestyle protocols, supplements and cures are often prescribed to treat the problem.

Acceptable Fruits For The Candida Diet

The general consensus is that you want to limit fruits. Although some prominent natural health experts say that candida is not a fruit problem, but a fat problem, meaning that a diet that is too high in fat (typical raw food diet) leads to blood sugar problems and systemic candida overgrowth.

There are some people who clear up a candida problem with a high-fruit, low fat diet while others clear it up with a no or low fruit diet (5% or less of total calories).

One thing that most candida experts agree on is that citrus fruit is okay and may even help alleviate candida problems. So that means a green smoothie with oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes are good.

Leafy green and other vegetables are on the list of okay foods as well. So it looks like our Orange-Kale smoothie may be candida diet approved.

Another general consensus among candida experts is that berries such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and cranberries are acceptable on the candida diet because these berries have a higher fiber to sugar ratio.

Now here is where it get’s tricky. On one candida website, it says to avoid all stemmed fruit including apples, cherries, pears, plums, peaches and grapes. Since stems can protrude into the flesh part of the fruit and contain microscopic yeasts, molds and fungi, they can complicate candida problems, they say.

Another website says that pears are actually okay.

One website says that high fructose fruits like bananas, mangoes, pineapples, apricots and apples should be avoided while another website says that pineapples are acceptable.

To complicate matters further, yet another website claims that oranges are actually to be avoided.

As far as how much fruit is okay to eat if you have candida, some experts advocate a low carbohydrate, fruit-avoidance diet (which results in a dramatic increase in fat consumption). Other experts advocate a fruit-based diet that is low in fat (they claim that fat is the root cause of candida overgrowth, not fruit sugar).

A Candida Epidemic Among Raw Foodists and Natural Health Enthusiasts

It is interesting to note that those who follow the raw food diet or have an interest in natural health tend to be the ones who are the most concerned about candida. It’s as if a systemic candida epidemic is running rampant among the raw food community while ignoring most everyone else.

Could it be that the typical raw food diet, being so high in fat, makes people more susceptible to the health problems and symptoms that are often attributed to candida?

Or it could be that the symptoms of systemic candida overgrowth are so vague and can apply to a lot of people who may or may not even have a candida problem. And such vague, common symptoms can be capitalized upon by those wishing to make a profit selling candida-related products to people who may not have a real candida outbreak.

No Evidence That Candida Overgrowth Is A Common Medical Condition

Systemic candida overgrowth is not widely accepted as an actual medical condition by most medical doctors. Naturopaths tend to diagnose it more frequently to treat vague health issues with no overt, underlying cause. Self diagnosis is common and encouraged online as people who think they have systemic candida overgrowth are more likely to buy supplements, e-books and other candida cures that are profitable.

There is no scientific evidence that support claims made by candida experts about how widespread this condition is said to be.

The symptoms of systemic candida overgrowth are so vague in that they can pertain to a variety of unrelated health problems, or stress, and such symptoms can be easily cleared up with a healthy change in diet and/or lifestyle…no candida cure necessary.

There is so much conflicting information about systemic candida overgrowth on the web and many sources supply only anecdotal evidence, no health studies and no information from peer reviewed journals.

The fact that most doctors and some natural health practitioners do not recognize systemic candida overgrowth as a common problem tells me that many people who think they have it probably do not.

Furthermore, it could be dangerous to follow strict fruit-avoidance candida-diet protocols found on the web if you do not actually have candida.

So before you go cutting all healthy fruit out of your diet, be sure that you do, indeed, have a systemic candida problem. The only way to accurately test for it is to have your blood tested and have it sent to a lab. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then seek out qualified nutritional and diet advice by a licensed, medical professional for treatment.

Grapefruit Nutrition and Health Benefits

Grapefruits are an excellent source of vitamin C with the average grapefruit providing up to 83% RDA. Pink grapefruits are a good source of vitamin A (as beta-carotene) with the average fruit providing 29% RDA. They are not as high in calcium as oranges. Grapefruits are water-rich which helps facilitate cleansing and detox. Diets high in citrus fruits, such as grapefruits, have been shown to lower the risk of esophageal, oral and stomach cancers.

Powerful antioxidants in grapefruits may lower risk for heart disease. A 12-week study at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego lead by Dr. Ken Fujioka showed that eating one half grapefruit before meals helped facilitate weight loss due to a compound in the fruit itself. Findings published in the February 2006 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggested that eating one grapefruit per day may significantly lower cholesterol levels for patients who were not responding to cholesterol-lowering medications.

Grapefruit Drug Interactions

Grapefruits contain compounds that interfere with certain medications including statin drugs such as Lipitor and Zocor. If you are on any medications, please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before consuming grapefruit.

How To Use Grapefruits In A Green Smoothie

As with all citrus fruit, I routinely remove the seeds and peel them. With grapefruit, you can leave as much of the pith on to get extra fiber and nutrients. Always discard the outer peel.

You can also juice grapefruits in a citrus juicer and use the liquid to help blend (and flavor) a smoothie.

Smoothie Recipes

Basic Sweet Grapefruit
1 grapefruit, peeled and deseeded
1 banana, peeled
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
4 ounces of water

Calories: 195 | Fat: 0.8g (gram) | Protein: 4g | Carbs: 47.2g | Calcium: 8% | Iron: 2.3 mg | Vitamin A: 219% | Vitamin C: 113%

Tropical Grapefruit with Kiwi Smoothie
1 grapefruit, peeled and deseeded
1 cup fresh pineapple, cubed
2 kiwifruit, peeled
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
4 ounces of water or coconut water

Calories: 256 | Fat: 1.3g (grams) | Protein: 5.2g | Carbs: 62.1g | Calcium: 15% | Iron: 2.9 mg | Vitamin A: 223% | Vitamin C: 331%

Orange “Grango” Smoothie
1 grapefruit, peeled and deseeded
1 orange, peeled and deseeded
1 large mango, peeled and pitted
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
2 celery stalks (optional)
4-6 ounces of coconut water

Calories: 306 | Fat: 1.3g (grams) | Protein: 5.6g | Carbs: 75.3g | Calcium: 19% | Iron: 2.6 mg | Vitamin A: 293% | Vitamin C: 260%

Grapefruit-Carrot-Ginger
1 grapefruit
2 medium carrots
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Splash of water

Calories: 128 | Fat: 0.5g (grams) | Protein: 2.2g | Carbs: 30.1g | Calcium: 6% | Iron: 0.8 mg | Vitamin A: 708% | Vitamin C: 91%

Grapefruit with Apple and Kiwi Smoothie
1 grapefruit, peeled and deseeded
1 apple, cored
2 kiwifruit, peeled
1 banana, peeled
2 teaspoons of freshly ground chia (or flax seeds)
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
4-6 ounces of water or tangerine juice

Calories: 420 | Fat: 4.8g (grams) | Protein: 7.5g | Carbs: 96.7g | Calcium: 20% | Iron: 3 mg | Vitamin A: 226% | Vitamin C: 264%

Epic Detox Bitter Smoothie
1 grapefruit, peeled and deseeded
1 orange, peeled and deseeded
1 squeeze of fresh lemon juice
2 cups chopped dandelion greens (or kale)
4-6 ounces of water or grapefruit

Calories: 197 | Fat: 1.2g (grams) | Protein: 5.3g | Carbs: 46.7g | Calcium: 28% | Iron: 4 mg | Vitamin A: 413% | Vitamin C: 223%

Browse even more grapefruit smoothie recipes!

How To Select Grapefruits

Purchase grapefruits that are slightly firm or even a little soft and heavy for their size. Avoid grapefruits that are green or hard. Avoid purchasing fruits that are too soft, have holes or are leaking juice.

As with most fruits, I prefer to buy organic when possible. However, it can be a challenge to find organic grapefruits in some areas. I don’t worry too much about finding organic citrus and routinely buy then non-organic when organic ones are not available.

See Also: tangerine Smoothie, orange Smoothie, Lemon Smoothie, Lime Smoothie.

This smoothie combines the sour flavor of lemon-lime with the sweetness of banana and orange for a delicious blend. Added to the mix are dandelion greens, believed to be one of the top cleansing greens you can eat. If you don’t have access to dandelion greens, simply use a different leafy green such as kale, chard, collards or even spinach.

Since this is a detox smoothie recipe, I recommend that you use only organic ingredients since conventional produce may have pesticide residues.

Lemon-Lime Detox Smoothie Recipe

• 1/2 medium lemon, peeled and deseeded
• 1/2 medium lime, peeled and deseeded
• 2 medium bananas, peeled
• juice from 1 large orange
• 1-2 cups chopped dandelion greens or kale (optional)*

Add all the ingredients to your blender (I use a Blendtec) and blend on high for 30 seconds or until smooth.

Nutrition Information

* With 2 cups chopped dandelion greens.

Calories: 316
Fat: 2g
Protein: 6.7g
Carbohydrates: 79g
Calcium: 25% RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance)
Iron: 4.6mg (milligrams)
Vitamin A: 384% RDA
Vitamin C: 141% RDA

This smoothie is also a rich source of B vitamins, vitamin K and E as well as copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and potassium.

Detox & Cleanse Without Detoxing And Cleansing

Forget about liquid diets, fasts and colonics! You are only as “clean” as your daily diet. Temporary detox regimens provide temporary results, but a change in diet and lifestyle provide lifelong results.

Would you like to know how to detox safely and effectively with green smoothies and whole foods? How would you like to feel your energy skyrocket, watch your skin clear up and hear people compliment you about your weight loss and radiant glow? We’ve experienced all of this from our daily green smoothie habit!

Davy and I have created a green smoothie program that features lots of recipes that facilitate cleansing and detox as well as target specific health goals you might have (weight loss, immunity, detox, energy, mood, etc…). It also comes with our in-depth, 19-page detox report complete with delicious recipes.

The Green Smoothie Health Program is both a detox strategy and a way to take the reigns of your own health and wellness. Click here for more information.

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Ingredients

• 1 large organic zucchini
• 1/2 – 3/4 avocado
• 1 tablespoon of dulse flakes
• Juice from some lemon or lime
• 2 untoasted nori sheet

Directions

Using a julienne slicer with the small, finer blade setting, shred the entire zucchini vertically (from end to end). Then using a knife, chop the shredded pieces into smaller rice-size pieces. You don’t need to chop each piece individually, just put them in a pile and chop away until the pile looks sort of like rice.

Next, squeeze a splash of juice from a lemon or a lime over the pile of rice and add about a tablespoon of dulse flakes. You can also use kelp powder or other sea vegetable. Toss with the rice with a fork to mix the juice and dulse.

To make the sticky rice, mash 1/4 avocado into the zucchini rice with your hand and mix well.

Now for the rolls. Cover the nori sheet with a thin layer of the zucchini sticky rice leaving about an inch and a half along the bottom of the nori sheet. Add sliced avocado toward the top of the nori sheet and start to roll from that end. Try to keep the nori roll tight and let it set for a few moments to allow the moisture to seal the nori sheet together before you cut it.

Finally, cut the nori rolls about one inch or so thick, serve and enjoy!

This recipe make about 12 rolls using 2 sheets of nori.

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There are two variations of this recipe. Creamy bruschetta is made with mashed avocado while the light bruschetta uses olive oil. The creamy bruschetta is featured in the photo to your right.

Creamy Pasta Bruschetta

• 2 large organic zucchini
• 8 organic Campari tomatoes (2 plum or 1 small tomato)
• 2 thin slice of organic red onion
• 6-10 sprigs of fresh organic dill, basil, oregano or the herb of your choice
• 1/4-1/2 avocado

Using a julienne, spiral slicer, or cheese grater, turn the zucchini into “noodles,” and then place them on a large plate or in a bowl. Carefully massage the avocado into the noodles with your hands so that there are almost no chunks of avocado left. The mashed avocado should coat most of the noodles.

Next, chop the tomatoes into small cubes and finely chop the onion. Sprinkle the tomatoes and onions on top of the noodles. Garnish with fresh or dried herbs. I love using dill in this recipe, but basil and/or oregano work just as well.

Light Pasta Bruschetta

• 2 large organic zucchini
• 8 organic Campari tomatoes (2 plum or 1 small tomato)
• 2 thin slice of organic red onion
• Juice from ½ lime or lemon
• 5-10 sprigs of fresh organic dill, basil, oregano or the herb of your choice
• 2 tablespoon cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoon of shelled hemp seeds

Turn the zucchini into “noodles” using a julienne or spiral slicer and then place them on a large plate or in a bowl. Add one tablespoon of olive oil over the top of the noodles and lightly toss with a fork to spread the oil through the noodles.

Next, chop the tomato into small cubes and finely chop the onion. Sprinkle them on top of the noodles. Garnish with fresh or dried herbs and sprinkle a tablespoon of shelled hemp seeds over the top.

Grab a fork and enjoy!

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