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Thriving On Vegan Anti-Candida Dinners

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Enjoy a healthy, anti-Candida diet with these delicious vegan dishes.

Quinoa tabbouleh with avocado offers a protein-packed, gluten-free meal, while creamy coconut cauliflower soup provides comfort with its nutrient-dense, dairy-free recipe.

For a low-carb alternative, try zucchini noodle stir-fry, or indulge in an almond flour pizza with pesto for a satisfying meal that's rich in healthy fats and protein.

These dishes not only fight Candida overgrowth but also introduce a world of new, exciting flavors.

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Starting a vegan anti-Candida diet involves eliminating sugars, gluten, and specific starches to combat Candida yeast overgrowth. This diet focuses on alkaline foods that contribute to a balanced pH level, promoting overall health. Check out these tasty dinner options that adhere to the guidelines while ensuring health and flavor go hand in hand.

Quinoa tabbouleh with avocado

Quinoa tabbouleh with avocado is a healthy and delicious spin on the classic Middle Eastern salad. Protein and fiber-rich quinoa provide a gluten-free base, and avocado contributes healthy fats needed for an anti-Candida diet. Meanwhile, lemon juice and herbs infuse the dish with refreshing flavors and offer alkalizing benefits. Enjoy this nutritious meal for a light and fulfilling dinner.

Creamy coconut cauliflower soup

This creamy coconut cauliflower soup is super comforting and nutrient-dense, and it's completely dairy-free! Cauliflower is a low-carb, high-fiber veggie packed with vitamins, perfect for an anti-Candida diet. Coconut milk lends creaminess and also contains antifungal properties to combat Candida overgrowth. With the addition of garlic and turmeric, it's not only healing but also full of flavor.

Zucchini noodle stir-fry

A zucchini noodle stir-fry provides a delicious alternative to pasta that won't contribute to Candida yeast overgrowth by supplying it with carbs and sugars. Zucchini is a highly alkaline food that aids in balancing your body's pH levels. Sauteed with colorful veggies like bell peppers and spinach in coconut oil, this dish delivers a nutrient-dense meal packed with antioxidants and essential minerals.

Almond flour pizza with pesto

Pizza with almond flour crust is perfect for those on an anti-Candida diet. It cuts the carbs and adds healthy fats and protein. Plus, it's topped with homemade pesto, blending fresh basil, garlic, nutritional yeast, and olive oil for a delicious and satisfying meal that fits your dietary needs and opens up a world of new tastes.

High Cortisol: Why We're All Obsessed With It

Anyone who watches wellness content on TikTok will have noticed that one of this year's major buzzwords has been cortisol—and the trend has made its way over to Instagram now too.

For the past year, content creators have made videos warning viewers of the signs of high cortisol—especially face puffiness and belly fat—and then promoting their products as ways to fix it, from supplements to anti-trauma therapies.

"Cortisol is one of the newest buzzwords in health and wellness realms and is best known as the 'stress hormone,'" Trista Best, dietitian at The Candida Diet, told Newsweek. "Content creators on social media platforms have amplified this fascination by discussing its impact on weight gain, anxiety, irritability and fatigue."

For example, a video from TikTok posted by @theworkoutwitch in April, now with 18.7 million views, described "10 weirdly specific signs you have high cortisol due to stress" that included eye twitching, bloating, hair loss, brain fog and ringing in your ears.

A woman looks in the mirror at her face. One of the symptoms of high cortisol that has gone viral is face puffiness. A woman looks in the mirror at her face. One of the symptoms of high cortisol that has gone viral is face puffiness. Lordn/iStock / Getty Images Plus

The trend is still going strong. Last week, @hannahtrenches posted a video to her Instagram channel featuring the words: "POV: you posted your stomach on the internet and people are diagnosing you with high cortisol but actually you're just a marathon runner who enjoys too many sweet treats."

And the search term "cortisol" is up by 300 percent on TikTok this month compared to the previous one.

"The recent buzz around cortisol reflects how we oversimplify health issues, often tying them to weight and body size," Katherine Metzelaar, a dietitian and the owner of Bravespace Nutrition, told Newsweek. "There's this pervasive idea that if we can just 'fix' cortisol levels, we'll lose weight, and life will magically improve.

"This misses the bigger picture: health isn't about micromanaging hormones or chasing a smaller body; it's about building sustainable habits that support your mental and physical wellbeing."

There is some truth to the cortisol warnings, however. Many people do live high-stress lifestyles, and elevated stress levels can have side effects, such as promoting weight gain.

"Elevated cortisol is caused by chronic stress," Maria Villamin, a hormone coach and functional nutritionist, told Newsweek. "The problem in our modern world is that stressors are constant, and in fact, normalized.

"High cortisol can and does contribute to abdominal fat accumulation... But cortisol is not the only cause of belly fat, and reducing elevated cortisol is not a magical solution to spot reduce body fat in this area."

Metzelaar said: "The obsession with cortisol often ties back to the cultural focus on body size and weight.

"Belly fat is often blamed on cortisol, but the reality is that body fat distribution is shaped by a combination of factors—like genetics, hormones, eating patterns (including past eating disorders and dieting history), sleep and even societal stress, like weight stigma."

Metzelaar said that she often heard people worry about their belly fat as if it was something wrong with their body.

"It's not," she said. "Fat on our bodies, including belly fat, is normal and not inherently unhealthy.

"What's more important is asking how stress shows up in my client's life and focusing on manageable ways to care for yourself—like eating regularly, finding movement you enjoy and getting good sleep."

Is there a nutrition concern that's worrying you? Let us know via science@newsweek.Com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured in Newsweek.

What Is TikTok's Viral 90-30-50 Diet For Weight Loss? Does It Really Work? Here's All You Want To Know

Thanks to the age-old conditioning of a society laced with patriarchy and the norms that tag along with that – weight-loss has always been in trend; and mostly, not for the right reasons. The peer pressure to look a certain way to conform to the set beauty standard(s) is real and hence, there is a plethora of weight-loss regimes available readily for us. These weight-loss regimes do not always target the 'problematic area', which essentially is an unfit body and unhealthy lifestyle. But they rather preach you different crash courses on how to how to lose weight to look a certain way.Naturally, thanks to the popularity of 'losing weight' to look your finest, this has become a trend and found its way to the most populated platform of this generation – social media!And unless you have been living under the rock, you must have noticed how a certain diet plan has taken over TikTok this holiday season. Which one we are talking about, you ask?It's the 90-30-50 diet plan!

What is the 90-30-50 diet plan? Introduced by wellness influencer and dietitian Courtney Kassis (@dieticianwithtwins) in 2023, The 90-30-50 diet is a structured eating plan with relatively straightforward rules: consume 90 grams of protein, 30 grams of fiber and 50 grams of healthy fats each day. Kassis created the diet after being diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, which led to further health complications and difficulty losing weight. In the original TikTok video, she describes the diet as beneficial for "weight loss, improving chronic disease, hormone balance, blood sugar control and more *within weeks* (if not days)." Following it, she said she lost 15 pounds in just two months and significantly improved her thyroid function.Key points: The 90-30-50 diet plan is a structured nutrition plan that involves consuming a minimum of 90 grams of protein, 30 grams of fibre, and 50 grams of healthy fats per day. The plan emphasizes the quality and balance of macronutrients over strict calorie counting.

Here are some examples of foods that fit into the 90-30-50 diet plan: Protein: Chicken, beef, eggs, pork, turkey, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese.Fibre: Leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, chia seeds, flax seeds, almonds, chickpeas.Healthy fats: Nuts and nut butter, seeds, avocado, olive oil.While there is no specific research on the 90-30-50 method, there is evidence that eating more protein, fibre, and healthy fats can have benefits such as balanced hormones, improved blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of chronic disease.Some say that the 90-30-50 diet plan can be beneficial even if not followed strictly, as it emphasizes eating healthy foods and increasing fibre intake. Others say that the plan's simplicity and specificity can be valuable, even if the recommended numbers aren't right for you.To keep track of your food intake, you can use an app to record the grams of protein, fibre, and fats in your meals, snacks, and beverages.

Is 90-30-50 diet plan impactful? The 90-30-50 diet's emphasis on protein and fibre aligns with evidence-based strategies for weight loss and satiety. Catherine Gervacio, RND, a registered nutritionist and diet consultant for WOWMD says, "The protein content may be sufficient to support muscle maintenance, repair and satiety. General recommendations are 0.8 to one gram per one kg body weight for adults."For example, for someone who is 165 pounds (75 kg), this would equate to 60 grams of protein per day.She continues, "As for fiber, the amount is sufficient to regulate blood sugar, improve gut health and promote fullness. Most people fall short of the recommended 25 grams (for women) and 38 grams (for men) daily."As for fat, Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, a registered dietitian at The Candida Diet, says, "Though the diet does not specifically address the source of fat, healthy fats should be prioritized when utilizing this diet approach. Healthy fats include polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats like [those found in] salmon, chia seeds, tofu, almonds and avocado." She recommends limiting saturated fats and avoiding (if possible) trans fats.

Does 90-30-50 diet help in weight loss? Shelley Balls, MDA, RDN, LDN — a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Consumer Health Digest — said the diet should be "very effective" for weight loss, echoing what Best said about protein helping to retain muscle mass, thus keeping your metabolic rate high. As per her, "Consuming more protein throughout the day will help you feel more satisfied and help you make healthier food choices." According to her, dietary fibre's ability to help you feel full faster and keep you full longer is also beneficial to weight loss, per Balls. She also noted that the anti-inflammatory effects of eating healthy fats can help promote weight loss. As per her, "Studies show when saturated fats are replaced with healthy fats, LDL cholesterol levels decrease, waist circumference decreases, and other health biomarkers improve." They can also help with satiety and prevent blood sugar spikes. She noted that both of these will help you with your weight loss goals.However, Trista Best, MPH, RDN, LD — who is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at The Candida Diet, an Environmental Health Specialist, and an Adjunct Nutrition Professor, pointed out that while the diet may be effective for weight loss, it may not be sustainable in the long run. She said, "This is primarily due to the rigidity required in eating that may cause some to feel overly restricted," which might lead to rebound weight gain once the plan is stopped.

Does your eating speed affect weight loss?

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