When you suffer from Candidiasis, food choice becomes a cornerstone of your treatment plan. Any foods that promote yeast growth are essentially off limits, leaving you with a limited number of alternatives. In general, your diet is a high fiber, high protein diet that also includes complex carbohydrates and limited amounts of fresh fruit. Because miso goes through a process of fermentation during manufacture, you should be careful if you choose to include it in your diet.

Miso is a salty, soybean-based food flavoring used mainly in Japanese cooking. Although miso is a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and isoflavins, 100 grams contains 3,647 milligrams of sodium. This is an extreme amount, considering that organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences, the National High Blood Pressure Education Program and the American Heart Association all recommend you consume no more than 2,400 milligrams per day.

Varieties of miso include red, white, barley and soybean. Depending on the variety, Soya.be notes that ingredients can include varying combinations of white rice, barley or soybeans, along with a fermented, mold-containing substance called koji. After mixing, each undergoes a natural fermentation process that lasts from one to three years, with the exception of white miso, which ferments in only a few weeks. After the fermenting process is complete, each type becomes a specialty seasoning. For example, red miso is a common seasoning for stir-fry, miso soup, stews and as a marinade for meat, poultry or vegetables, while white miso seasons light colored soups, salad dressings and fish marinade.

In general, miso is not suitable for a Candida diet. The reason is that as a fermented food, it promotes yeast growth. However, the longer miso ferments or sits on a shelf, the lower its carbohydrate content and the less “yeasty” it becomes. While you should avoid newly fermented or light colored miso, such as the white variety, Dr. Christopher Hassell of ImmuneSupportOnline.com states you can include old or dark rice miso in your diet.

Talk to your doctor before adding miso to your Candida diet. It takes weeks to months before your diet begins to have an effect, and choosing foods not right for you can make the recovery process take even longer. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may have alternative recommendations.

It is important to remember you may never entirely remove Candidiasis from your body. No matter how long you remain on a Candida diet, or how long you remain symptom-free, it can return. Add foods such as sweets, dairy products, wheat and alcohol back into your diet with caution. A moderate diet, says Dr. Hassell, is the best option to keep you healthy.