Symptoms of Yeast Intolerance

Yeast intolerance has a very broad range of symptoms, which include:

• Flatulence
• Bad breath
• Fatigue
• Irritable
• Excessive cravings for sugar filled foods
• Stomach cramps
• Feel bloated
• Bad skin e.g. ache and eczema
• Indigestion

Diagnosis

Yeast is present in a variety of different foods, most commonly baked goods and alcoholic beverages. If you suspect you are intolerant to a food product you should keep a food diary, which should include the foods you eat and the associated symptoms. This way your doctor can identify which food groups trigger an adverse reaction and whether there is a common ingredient in these offending foods.

There are many foods tests for yeast intolerance that are advertised online, but you must be aware that no food test can be a used as a definitive diagnostic tool.

The more effective way of finding out whether you’re intolerant to yeast is to follow a yeast-free diet for a couple of weeks, and see whether there is any improvement in symptoms. If there is a significant improvement a yeast intolerance may be the reason.

Living with yeast intolerance

Like most other food intolerances, the recommended way of living with yeast intolerance is to try and avoid yeast containing foods. Following a yeast-free diet should help reduce the onset of symptoms. Yeast is found is used in food manufacturing processes such as the fermentation of wine and beer, and can be found In everyday food products such as bread and cheese. A yeast-free diet may seem challenging, but it sometimes it can be the best preventative measure against symptoms arising. Here is the main yeast containing foods to avoid:

• Baked goods contain baker’s yeast and should be avoided – this included bread and pastries
• Vinegar and vinegar containing foods
• Beer and wine
• Foods that have gone through fermentation in your manufacturer process – this includes most alcohols
• Dried fruits, processed fruit juices  and canned tomatoes contain yeast or moulds
• Fruits e.g. dates, figs, grapes, prunes and raisins
• Cereals and grains e.g. cane sugar and malt
• Cheeses
• Ice cream
• Fried meats
• Hot dogs
• Nuts and seeds e.g. peanuts and pistachios
• Condiments e.g. black pepper, ketchup, mayonnaise, pickles, relish, salad dressings, vanilla, vinegar and yeast extracts
• Vegetables e.g. mushrooms and olives

You should wash all fresh fruits and vegetables before consumption to remove any moulds growing on their surfaces. Medication and supplements may be made from yeasts and moulds and should be avoided, these include: penicillin and vitamin B tablets.

To help keep to your yeast-free diet; you should always check food labels for any yeast containing ingredients. Also, many find it helpful to keep a food diary. In a food diary you should include all foods eaten along with any associated symptoms. This way you can find the pin point the exact causes of any symptoms and eliminate those offending foods from your diet. Also, it is helpful to make a list of all foods that trigger an adverse reaction.

Yeast can be found in a huge array of different foods. So it can sometimes be difficult to avoid yeast all together. It has been shown that probiotics can increase you tolerance of yeast by promoting the growth of ‘friendly’ bacteria in the gut, and so helping control the amount of yeast in your body.

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