I Cut Out Sugar, Carbs & Caffeine For 90 Days & It Wasn't As Bad As You Think

Then, around day 10 or 12, I started feeling like myself again. And then a few days later, I started feeling way better than that. Here are some of the biggest benefits I got from doing the candida diet:

I slept like a rock while on this diet and suspect that was due to the lack of stimulants like caffeine and sugar and zero alcohol intake (alcohol can disrupt your sleep). Before the candida diet, I would sleep for nine hours and still wake up groggy. After about two weeks on the plan, I would wake up naturally after seven or eight hours feeling energized and ready to take on the day. I missed the taste of coffee and the ritual of a latte in the morning, but I didn't miss the caffeine boost at all. I didn't need it!

This could have been a result of better sleep, instead of directly related to the foods I was eating, but my energy during those 90 days was better than ever. I experienced no afternoon grogginess, and I felt like I recovered from my workouts really quickly so I was at the gym more often. This was a lifesaver, because the diet was so restrictive, a lot of my socializing was done at group fitness classes or jogging with friends.

After the first two weeks on the candida diet—when I wanted to bite everyone's head off and cry all the time—my mood was extremely consistent. I felt light and positive and didn't feel my mind going into worry mode like it sometimes can. I stressed sometimes about packing snacks and making sure I didn't go hungry if I went out with friends, but I didn't find myself worrying for no reason.

This one surprised me, but a few weeks into the diet I realized that I was waking up without morning breath. It was really strange, but there was just no icky taste or plaque in my mouth in the morning. It sounds strange, but even my tongue looked different—healthier. This was a random benefit but a nice added bonus.

I'm proud to admit that over those 90 days—three full months—I only fell off the wagon a few times. I had one glass of red wine to be polite at a business meeting and a few cups of decaf coffee here and there. It wasn't easy, but the benefits have been massive, and many of them have lasted well beyond the 90 days (even though I've added back the occasional sweet and cocktail). It's not for the faint of heart, but the candida diet goes down as one of the best things I've ever done for my health.