Are you grappling with the question, "What can I eat?" If so, the Kaufmann Diet, developed by Doug Kaufmann, might be the answer you're looking for. This dietary approach played a pivotal role in my own recovery from chronic health issues potentially stemming from yeast and fungal overgrowth, often exacerbated by prolonged antibiotic use.
Fungi, often underestimated, can mimic or even trigger a range of illnesses, including cancer, sinusitis, asthma, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and autoimmune diseases. Understanding which foods combat mold in the body and which ones fuel its growth is crucial in this journey.
The Kaufmann Diet Explained
Doug Kaufmann elucidates the core principle behind his diet: "Fungi are known human parasites. They can enter our body in many ways, from inhalation to fugally contaminated food in our food supply, which is not uncommon. Several fungal species in our air and food supply make poisons substances called mycotoxins. The study of fungal poisons is a relatively new field of science. It’s genesis occurred in England in the early 1960’s when thousands of turkeys died from eating peanut meal that was impregnated with mycotoxins. We know that fungal mycotoxins can cause illness and death in animals and humans. In the 1970’s, when I began studying fungal diseases, I realized that peanuts were not the only foods that were contaminated with mycotoxins. From the scant literature on mycotoxins that existed in the 1970’s I developed a diet that minimized exposure to fungal poisons.”
The Kaufmann Diet aims to minimize exposure to fungal poisons by avoiding foods that feed fungi, such as those containing yeast, fungal mycotoxins (found in grains and alcoholic beverages), and fungi themselves (like mushrooms and corn). This premise has remained consistent, with ongoing advancements in understanding how fungus influences cravings for sugars and carbohydrates and identifying foods that are either contaminated with fungus or promote its growth.
Important Note: Before initiating any significant dietary changes, especially if you are dealing with health issues, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional. While the Kaufmann Diet may initially cause a die-off reaction in some individuals, many experience significant improvement within weeks.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
Kaufmann Diet Phase 1: A Detailed Breakdown
The Kaufmann 1 Diet is the initial, most restrictive phase, designed to starve fungal overgrowth and reduce mycotoxin exposure. Here's a detailed look at what's allowed and what's excluded:
1. Sugar/Sweeteners
- Allowed: Stevia and corncob or birch tree bark xylitol.
- Excluded: All forms of sugar, including honey, agave, and other "natural" sweeteners. Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners are also off-limits.
2. Fruit
- Allowed: Green apples, berries, avocados, fresh coconut, grapefruit, lemons, limes, and tomatoes.
- Excluded: All other fruits due to their higher sugar content.
3. Meat
- Allowed: Virtually all fresh, minimally processed meats, including beef, lamb, bison, turkey, chicken, pork, venison, and fish (salmon, tuna, shellfish). Wild-caught fish and grass-fed or pasture-raised meats are preferable.
- Excluded: Processed deli meats and breaded meats.
4. Eggs
- Allowed: All fresh eggs, but pastured eggs preferred
- Excluded: Egg substitutes.
5. Dairy
- A Note About Dairy: Dairy can be allergenic and mucous-producing. The Kaufmann 1 Diet generally favors high-fat, low-lactose dairy options.
- Allowed:
- Butter: Contains minimal lactose due to its high-fat content.
- Ghee (clarified butter)
- Yogurt: Goat yogurt, in moderation, is acceptable. Opt for higher-fat yogurt with live bacterial cultures.
- Heavy Cream: Contains very little lactose due to its high-fat content (approximately 37%). Unsweetened whipping cream is also acceptable.
- Sour Cream: Choose cultured sour cream (made with streptococcus) or lactose-free varieties.
- Cream Cheese: Opt for lactose-free varieties.
- Excluded: Milk, other cheeses, margarine, and butter substitutes. Avoid rice or soybean substitutes.
6. Vegetables
- Allowed: Virtually all fresh, unblemished vegetables, especially greens. Juicing fresh, organic vegetables and spices like ginger and turmeric root is encouraged.
- Excluded: Potatoes and sweet potatoes, legumes (including beans, peas, and green beans), mushrooms, and corn.
7. Beverages
- Allowed: Filtered water, fresh-squeezed vegetable juices, and unsweetened herbal teas. Unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, and other nut milks are permitted.
- Excluded: All alcoholic beverages, coffee, regular black tea, and sodas. Flavored water beverages made with proper ingredients can be enjoyed in moderation.
8. Grains
- Allowed: Pseudo-grains like quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, and millet (these are seeds, not grains).
- Excluded: All grains, including corn, wheat, oats, barley, rye, spelt, and any foods containing these ingredients (bread, pasta, cakes, crackers, etc.). Remember that sugar is considered a grain.
9. Yeast Products and Fungal Foods
- Allowed: None.
- Excluded: All products containing yeast (alcohol, bread, etc.), any type of fungus (mushrooms, truffles), and foods that might contain fungus or fungal byproducts (certain aged cheeses, "myco-protein," "nutritional yeasts").
10. Vinegars/Fermented Food Products
- Allowed: Unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (ACV). While all vinegars are acidic and made through sugar fermentation, ACV has demonstrated antifungal properties against several fungal species. Sauerkraut, a lactic acid product, is also allowed due to the presence of beneficial lactic acid-producing microorganisms like lactobacillus.
- Excluded: Virtually all other vinegars, most salad dressings or sauces, including soy sauce.
11. Oils
- Allowed: Olive oil, macadamia nut oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, flaxseed oil, etc. Cold-pressed, extra virgin, and minimally processed, organic oils are preferred.
- Excluded: Most vegetable oils, hydrogenated oils, corn oil, peanut oil, truffle oil, and canola oil.
12. Nuts & Seeds
- Allowed: Most nuts and seeds, including walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, etc. Purchase nuts with their shells intact whenever possible.
- Excluded: Peanuts (including anything made with peanuts or peanut butter), pistachios, and sunflower seeds due to potential fungal mycotoxin contamination.
Transitioning to Kaufmann Diet Phase 2
After experiencing symptom improvement on the Kaufmann 1 Diet, you may consider transitioning to Phase 2, which introduces more foods.
Important Considerations:
- Improvement doesn't always equal a cure.
- The Kaufmann Diets can provide the necessary proteins, fats, and carbohydrates for good health.
- The Kaufmann 2 Diet allows for experimentation with foods previously excluded.
- Moderation is key.
- Be mindful of potential food allergies.
What You Can Eat On The Kaufmann Diet (Phase 2 Diet)
1. Sugar/Sweeteners
- Same as Kaufmann 1, except you may experiment with minimal amounts of real Manuka honey, in moderation, as a trial. Manuka honey has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, yet some people will be unable to tolerate any honey, or they attempt to challenge it too early in their recovery. However, when challenging Manuka honey, watch for changes in how you feel afterwards and base moderate continuation on that.
2. Fruit
- Same as Kaufmann 1, except begin adding back fruits on occasion. The higher sugar content fruits are dates, watermelon, pineapple and banana, so be cautious of these. Bulk dried fruits run a higher risk for fungal contamination. Moreover, try red apples on occasion as you begin to add more foods into your diet. Again, watch for symptoms and know that while a red apple once may be a wonderful treat, but eating another the next day, might cause some symptoms to return. Don’t “load” too quickly.
3. Meat
- Same as Kaufmann 1
4. Eggs
- Same as Kaufmann 1
5. Dairy
- Same as Kaufmann 1, except, lower lactose cheeses are OK to experiment with now.
- Cheeses that are very low in milk sugar (lactose) are cheddar, Parmesan (very high protein) and Swiss cheeses. As a general rule, aged cheese is low lactose cheese. Older cheese becomes hard because it looses its moisture content and with that comes lower milk sugar, therefore hard cheeses have much less lactose in it. Goat cheeses and milks are generally acceptable, but please be vigilant as well-meaning nutritional marketers can give hints of cow milk in their labels.
6. Vegetables
- Allowed: Same as Kaufmann 1. You are now allowed to include (experiment) with sweet potatoes or yams, and legumes, including beans, peas, etc., in moderation. Corn is not a vegetable-it is a grain. Mushrooms are not vegetables-they are considered fungi.
7. Beverages
- Can I Drink Coffee?
- Allowed: Same as Kaufmann 1. Since coffee is a bean, you may minimally experiment with coffee now. Be careful as fungal mycotoxins are sometimes found in coffee beans if their shells crack. Don’t go overboard with coffee. Stevia and Xylitol are good choices of sweeteners.
8. Grains
- You can now add oats and brown rice in moderation. Again, do not overload on these grains and revert to Kaufmann 1, should symptoms begin to return.
- Excluded: Same as Kaufmann 1
9. Yeast Products and Fungal Foods
- Allowed and Excluded: Same as Kaufmann 1
10. Vinegars/Fermented Food Products
- Allowed and Excluded: Same as Kaufmann 1
11. Oils
- Allowed and Excluded: Same as Kaufmann 1
12. Nuts & Seeds
- Allowed and Excluded: Same as Kaufmann 1 Phase I
Kaufmann Phase 1 Recipes
Kaufmann Phase 1 Breakfast
These blueberry muffins are so moist and sweet you will find it hard to believe this recipe could be on Kaufmann 1 (phase 1).
Kaufmann Diet Phase 1 Dinner Recipe
This creamy pumpkin soup can be made in the crock pot as I describe in the instructions or you can make it a Vitamix soup recipe and have hot soup ready in under 7 minutes. I suggest roasting the garlic and onion before placing in the Vitamix with all other ingredients. Many times I will pre-make roasted garlic and onion to toss in Vitamix soups and other recipes all week long.
Kaufmann Diet Phase 1 Drinks
Bone broth is so incredibly healthy, especially when we are sick. The most exciting part of this recipe is I also share my story of meeting Pastor Charles Stanley. I hope you enjoy this recipe and my story of a divine meeting with my favorite television pastor.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
Kaufmann Diet Phase 1 Snack
This cucumber salad with apple cider vinegar recipe is so healthy and so fast to make. The apple cider vinegar is great for gut issues, skin problems, and ACV has both antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Kaufmann Diet Phase 1 Dessert Recipe
Now onto my favorite types of recipes. Desserts! If you look through my recipe section, you will notice a disproportionate amount of my recipes are desserts. So many of us have a sweet tooth and if we don’t occasionally satisfy it, we could potentially fall off the wagon. This chocolate mug cake can be ready to eat in 90 seconds!
Addressing Mold in Your Environment
If mold is contributing to your illness, addressing it in both your home and body is vital. Consider using antifungal sprays for your home and consulting with an ENT doctor about options like CitriDrops to reduce fungal load in your sinuses.
Read also: Weight Loss with Low-FODMAP