Yeasts are a form of fungi. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the yeast most often used for baking and brewing beer. Brewer’s yeast and Baker’s yeast are different strains of the species. There are multiple different strains, some are proprietary to different brewers. Saccharomyces ellipsoideus or S. Minor is a wild yeast that is found on fruits, especially grapes, and grains, and is used for making sourdough bread. Note that these are completely different from Candida Albicans, the yeast that causes vaginal yeast infrections, and that is subject of the controversial book “The Yeast Connection.” (Note: Don’t self-diagnose with Candidia. Read this article about the dangers of doing so. Always consult with a reputable GI or allergist when dealing with food allergies/ sensitivties. You may have an underlying medical problem that needs treatment.)
Some people have a sensitivity to yeasts, either due to the histamine content of foods that yeasts grown in, or to the yeasts themselves. It is fairly rare to have an Ig-E mediated allergy to yeast, though it is possible to be allergic to just about any protein, and there are documented cases in the medical literature of allergy to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. From what I have read, people with yeast allergies often have environmental allergies to molds and fungus. However, my daughter skin tests positive for a yeast allergy and negative for allergies to molds, once again proving that everyone is different and you just have to figure out what works and what doesn’t for you.
Let these lists act as a general guide for yeast and mold- containing foods. There are so many different yeasts and molds, and they are all around us. It is impossible to completely avoid them, the goal is just to reduce your exposure to them. Try some of our yeast free recipes.
Foods containing baker’s/ brewer’s/ wild yeasts
- Anything fermented (vinegar, alcohol, bean paste, soy sauce, etc.)
- Any baked good with baker’s yeast (pizza dough, bread, etc., including most sourdough breads)
- B Vitamins, unless stated that they are not from yeast
- Barley malt
- Beer
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Buttermilk
- Canned or bottled juices
- Cheese (all kinds)
- Cider
- Citric Acid (this used to be made from citus juice, but is now made from fermented corn)
- Dried fruits such as apricots, figs, or raisins
- Flavor enhancer (usually MSG, though it may also be yeast extract)
- Ginger Ale
- Grapes
- Jams/ Jellies
- Lactic acid (generally made from fermented corn or potatoes)
- Liquor
- Malt
- MSG (produced from fermentation of starch or sugar)
- Mushrooms
- Raisins
- Aged meats (sausage, bacon, etc.)
- Black tea
- Grapes
- Malted barley flour
- Olives
- Peanuts and peanut products
- Preserved or pickled foods
- Root beer
- Soy sauce, miso, tamari
- Strawberries
- Tempeh
- Vinegar (and foods containing vinegar, such as olives, mustard, ketchup, etc.)
- Wine
- Yeast extract (autolyzed, hydrolyzed)
- Yeast spreads such as Vegemite or Marmite, etc.
Does yeast cause sinus infections.
Everytime i eat pizzas or chinese with black bean sauce and have few beers. i get a serious sinus condition.
In me they do. I was just diagnosed withyeast and dairy sensitivities (among others)
I’m not a doctor, so I can’t diagnose you.
From my own experience, however, I have a friend with a mold allergy who has this type of response to mold in foods like cheese.
I would suggest seeing an allergist to help you with this. (Or maybe just knocking off the beer and pizza for a while, and see if it impoves first.)
Good luck!
Reading the list of foods containing the yeast allergen, I react to most of them. Sometimes I get a rash on my arms and wrists, I feel short of breath, I seem to get migraines.
i read in many sites coffee is to be avoided when following a yeast free diet, can anyone tell me why? i love my two cups of coffee in the morning. i´ve replaced my usual coffee (mixed roasted with sugar i believe) for one natural (roasted without sugar) as i am cutting out all sugars from my diet for at least two months.
Coffee beans are fermented as part of the curing process, I believe. As is black tea.
The real reason for the avoidance (and I don’t know anything about yeast free diets) may be that coffee is high in natural histamine, which may aggravate allergy symptoms or cause migrane headaches in some people.
Does vinegar contain baker’s yeast? Or brewer’s?
The baker’s/brewer’s split is not very scientific of me. There are acutally many sub-species of yeast, all of which have different scientific names. Oue eperience has been that yeasts used in fermentation processes, such as winemaking or vinegar, caused a reaction in our child, but bread yeast did not. So that’s the dichotomy I am using on this site.
Hope this helps.
I am allergic to yeast, particularly Brewers and Bakers yeast (says the allergist) and indeed ingesting both creates a series of odd symptoms including feeling dizzy, out of body, and profuse vomitting. I recently spoke with a breadmaker who suggested I try her sourdough, which she claimed she baked with a sourdough starter and it may not cause me to be ill. Amazingly, I ate a sourdough dinner roll for the first time in years and didn’t experience symptoms. Later ingestion caused a mild reaction, but as the article-writer stated, I also have fermentation and mold allergies/sensitivities. My goal is to find out which sourdoughs seem to have no impact on my system, and in which amounts, because that simple item potentially can open up an entire world of food to someone with severe yeast allergies.
Hi –
I can’t remember the brand name, but there is a brand of bread out there that I have seen in some health food stores that may help. I believe it is made in Canada, and it is usually sold from the freezer section (at least that’s where I’ve seen it).
Sourdough bread usually has a mix of bacteria and yeasts in it — creating a wild sourdough starter is basically a process of collecting spores from the air, and most bakeries have plenty of yeast floating around in them. But this one company’s bread is made from a starter that is all bacterial. It says on their label that they have it tested by an independent lab to confirm that there is no yeast in it.
I hope this offers a grain of hope. (no pun intended)
According to these companies web sites, their breads are yeast-free:
French Meadow bread
Food for life bread – Ezekiel 4:9
I’ve read on another web site that Kashi cereals are yeast-free, but I couldn’t confirmation of this on that company’s web site. I have sent an email asking for clarification.
If I find any other brands, I’ll post them. (I’ve just been diagnosed with an allergy to baker’s yeast and have started doing the research to locate alternate food sources.
I’ve contacted the Kashi company and received a reply stating their cereals DO contain Vitamin B-fortified vitamins DERIVED from yeast. So watch ALL Vitamin B-fortified products as most contain yeast-based B vitamins. Good luck all.
LaBrea bakery sourdough doesn’t affect me and I have brewer’s/baker’s yeast allergies. It’s also one of the more simply-made breads I’ve ever seen.
Only a handful of ingredients, no yeast, just “sour culture”
According to these companies web sites, their breads are yeast-free:
French Meadow bread
Food for life bread – Ezekiel 4:9
I’ve read on another web site that Kashi cereals are yeast-free, but I couldn’t confirmation of this on that company’s web site. I have sent an email asking for clarification.
If I find any other brands, I’ll post them. (I’ve just been diagnosed with an allergy to baker’s yeast and have started doing the research to locate alternate food sources.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I think I’ve had French Meadow bread and it was really good.
I am researching food allergies that might apply to a dog. Should I assume that selenium yeast might be problematic? I looked up what it was, but it was a bit confusing….I’m not sure why it’s often included in dog foods, but now I’m wondering if it could be the cause of my dog’s allergies.
(Sorry – double post, but I realized I didn’t provide my email address and I WOULD like to see any comments. I may forget to come back here to follow up…
Unfortunately I don’t know much about dogs, although as a child I had a dog who was allergic to fleas, so I do know that dogs can have allergies just like humans. A quick search through my local phone book found several alternative-medicine vets in my area. I think seeking out someone like that would be your best bet in tracking down your dog’s allergies. Sorry I can’t be of more help!
Hello. I am in desperate need of any help you can provide. I have a 14 month old son that has had diarrhea for 6 weeks… has had ALL kinds of testing done and nothing was found. I decided to take him to an allergist and found out he is allergic to Baker’s Yeast.. but the doctor really only told me that he can’t have buns, biscuits, rolls, pastries, doughnuts, cakes/cake mixes and cookies. But that doesn’t tell me about regular sandwich bread, what about muffins? pancakes/waffles? vanilla wafers? graham crackers? club crackers? The doctor did say he CAN have saltines and pastas… but surely it can be as limiting as it seems… or is it?? Basically, how do I find out what has Baker’s Yeast by looking at the list of ingredients on the foods? They NEVER say “Baker’s Yeast”… so how do I know??? This is soooooo complicating
HELP (if possible)!!
I have been diagnosed with a bakers yeast allergy as well. It’s been my experiece that autolyze yeast extract also causes reactions for me. The form is being used in place of MSG as a flavor enhancer. I now read every label in the grocery store before I buy. Most frozen meals and sauces and gravy sold in jars also contain it. I have to read labels on salad dressings and other packaged/processed food. If some for of yeast is an ingredient, I will not buy it.
Yes, I’ve been told that autolyzed yeast is really just MSG in disguise. Usually any baked item that needs to rise, such as breads, have yeast in them to help them rise. So, any bread is off-limits on a yeast-free diet. Good luck!
Just to add, there is bakers yeast in dried egg powder. Not certain if its in all dried egg powder, but the main ingredient is dried egg, bakers yeast and citric acid.
Recently I took a blood test to identify food sensitivities and discovered I am highly reactive to brewer’s and baker’s yeast. Ezekiel bread does not affect me though.
Does anyone know if Bragg’s Apple Cider vinegar uses yeast to ferment?
I have been tested and am severly allergic to all types of yeast. I was told by my allergist that I could have Bragg’s Apple Cider vinegar in moderation since it is not fermented with yeast. I use it with my dressings and when recipes call for vinegar. I haven’t had any reactions; but, I spent over three months eliminating yeast from my body after finding out about my allergies. I’ve tried introducing some of the above foods (berries, olives in water, peanuts) in moderation and have not had reactions, except with highly fermented foods.
I am in a similar situation, Rachel. My blood test also tested positive for Baker’s and Brewer’s yeast allergies. My naturopathic doctor told me that I can ONLY have distilled vinegar and apple cider vinegar. So you should be good to go on the Bragg’s.
Note that the tests such as IgG blood tests done by some naturopaths are controversial and have little research backing them up. IgG levels do not predict a traditional allergic reaction to a food. For that, you need a RAST test done by a traditional allergist.
I have suffered from yeast allergies for the past 17 years. Due to the symptoms I experience – gas, stomach pains, diarrhea- I thought I had IBS(irritable bowel syndrom). After trying the Adkins Diet, my sypmtoms when away. At that point, I realized it was connected to bread. An Allergy Doctor confirmed it. I’ve found a really great tasting yeast free bread made by Sami’s Bakery in Florida. I purchase this Millet & Flax bread from a local health food store. It can also be purchased online directly from the bakery……www.samisbakery.com.
I am 56 years old and about 7 years ago developed a reaction to yeast. Mostly from bread and wine (the two most perfect foods). I break out in hives on my face and have had a few episodes of a swollen upper lip. But most recently, the last few years, I have had sever face hives from what appears to be an allergic reaction to anything with yeast extract. Everything has yeast extract in it. Frozen meals, soup, soup broth, you name it. I have not found anyone else that has this problem. Curious if anyone out there has the same symptoms.
My daughter is also allergic to yeast extract. I am wondering if you have had allergy testing for this allergy. It may be a “true” allergy, in which case, given the severity of your symptoms, you need an Epi-Pen. Or it may be that you are sensitive to the high levels of naturally-occuring histamine in the yeast extract (though the most common symptom for that type of sensitivity is migranes, not hives and swollen lips).
I urge you to see an allergist if you haven’t already. Having your lip swell is one of the symptoms of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
Thanks fro the feedback. I have been to an allergist. A huge waste of time. Basically he didn’t believe that it was yeast, and didn’t even have any yeast to test me against. He tried all the standard stuff, but at the end said there wasn’t any magic pill for food allergies anyway, the best course of action is avoidance.
I have found lately that the rash I am getting on my face is also being triggered by anything fermented. Soy sauce, balsamic vinegar is the two newest things to trigger an episode. The other symptom I get with each episode is achiness, irritability, and lack of energy. I have not had the swollen lip symptom in a about 5 years, just the face rash and aches and pains. Trying to avoid yeast extract is becoming a real chore though, as it is in so many things.
By the way I do get an occasional migraine, but usually triggered by too much coffee, chocolate and stress.
I have similar symptoms that you have for yeast. I went to an allergist who did a food allergy blood test. I tested positive and severely allergic to yeast, wheat, eggs, cheese and onions. When I eat something that even has a touch of those foods, I start itching, breaking out in hives, my throat closes up, I have difficultly swallowing and breathing, and have shallow breathing. I also experience swelling of my body, especially in the face and extremities. If it’s really bad, I start experiencing tingling and numbness in my extremities. I’ve been prescribed an Epi-Pen but usually take an antihistimine and see if it goes away. These reactions are usually when I have a meat that has a seasoning with one of these foods in it. I can’t imagine what would happen if I actually ingested one of these items fully, such as a piece of onion or a piece of bread. You definitely need to go to an allergist who will test you, as you seem to have a severe allergy to yeast. It is one of the worst items to be allergic to so be careful. Let me know if I can help you…I spent three months after finding out to rid my body of the yeast, avoiding all of the above foods and any products that contain yeast. Good luck and let me know how you are doing!
Many Drs, even allergist will not do a blood test to check for food allergies, because it is not usually covered under insurance. It is a $400-$500 test and may still give false positives. I have yeast allergies too, to both yeasts, but the symptoms are the normal ‘can’t keep my eyes open’ thing.
I’d say don’t eat anything without a label and watch any dried items (like coffee or black tea). I’ve had to cut out almost all sugar to, since it feeds yeast.
Exactly the same. 56 also and this has been going on with me for about 7 years also. I did not want to believe it and for years doctors have been treating me for seasonal allergies. Never taking anything I told them serious. Last night I had Rice a Roni and chicken and 4:00 am I was up with swollen eyes, severe sneezing, 6 trips to the bathroom etc. I ran to the garbage and looked at the ingredients-sure enough: brewers yeast and yeast. I go thru this almost every morning and always feel better after about 6 trips to the bathroom. It seems there is nothing at all we can eat. I got layed off a year ago and being on unemployment, I have been buying cheaper food and it’s almost impossible to find food without yeast. I can’t afford to go to allergist since I have no insurance. All I can do is live like you do….eliminating everything from my diet. Is this depressing you as well? You know if you eat it, your gonna suffer terribly.
Charlie- I am so sorry to hear about your symptoms and being laid off. I hope you can find a way to be tested for celiac disease and allergies. I would suggest you try buying dried beans and rice and cooking them yourself – cheap and no additives! Hope it helps!
rick ,
my six year old breaks out in hives, around mouth and butt cheeks we think from canditas. have you heard of this condition? the rashes are severe.
Hives are an allergic response. Candidia is a microorganism always present in the body, and perfectly normal. Sometimes the body’s ecosystem gets off balance (from taking antibiotics for example) and you get what is commonly called a “yeast infection.”
This is NOT an allergy. If your son is getting hives you need allergy testing to determine the cause so you can avoid his allergen(s). Please see an allergist or talk to your pediatrician!
Rick,
I have very similar symptoms with the face swelling. I also went to see an allergist and he was a waste of time. I’m going to see another allergist next month now that I have more information. It’s difficult to pin point what exactly causes these swelling episodes. But pizza+wine or beer, will do it. Scary to think that the swelling is life threatening. Good luck to all.
I have an allergy to Baker’s and Brewer’s yeast as well but it presents as digestive issues rather than hives or vomiting (massive bloating). Within hours I’m miserable and it stays that way for days. I also get mouth sores (cankersores) that I’ve yet to be able to get rid of. I’ve been yeast free for about 2 months after massive elimination diets. I tried gluten free (my sister is a Celiac), dairy free, etc. Finally hit upon yeast and home run!
I’ve found that French Meadows is absolutely amazing. I love it and it doesn’t cause issues. I’m sure I have sinus issues with coffee but I’m not ready to cut that out yet. I can drink wine with no digestive issues, but beer, no way-it’s bad news. I can eat cheese, though I don’t hardly eat much of it, but grapes are out of the question. I feel icky after eating those. Still finding new foods that don’t work…
But again, love the French Meadows. I find it here in CA in Whole Foods markets. If they don’t have it in stock, they will order it for me. Haven’t seen it elsewhere yet…
Hi Suzy and Rick and MaryLou,
I also can’t tolerate balsamic vinegar, fermented soy (ate health food cheesecake made with tofu cream cheese before I knew it was a yeast problem), grapes, beer and … I don’t really know what else because I’ve been on such a strict elimination diet for a long time. When I added balsamic vinegar to the plainest of meals, that was a big clue. My symptoms are red hives on my face and milder hives on my upper back, terrible bloating and my digestive system just sort of shuts down for up to a week. Also, I have 1-2 days of total lethargy and can barely get out of bed. So what can we eat?? Would you please share your “allowed” foods with me? I kind of overdid it last week and had a reaction to something, either “fresh squeezed” local bottled orange juice or a cup of black tea. I will guess it was the OJ; do any of you drink tea? Any diet advice would be so appreciated.
i have just had allergy testing done and I am allergic to brewers yeast (and mold!!!) but i am having a lot of trouble working out which foods specifically contain only brewers yeast so i know what to avoid. Or if something has 1 type of yeast, does it usally have brewers yeast too???
I am having alot of problems with extreme itching and hives on my face. My face and body are severely swollen I am miserable beyond belief.e I have gone through a several allergy test. I have had three different result. One said that I was allergic to yeast, soy, milk, white rice and trees plants and shrubs. The next allergist said the only allergy that I had was to grass and I was free to eat what ever. I went to yet another and they told me that I was allergic to white potatoes and that was it. All of these test have been in the last year. I am desperate to find someone who can help me. I cannot eat much of anything without itching I only have whole grains. I have not had a piece of bread in years. I have recently eat fruit because I was under the impression that I could.. I cannot eat beans, oatmeal, barley. Never have tea, I have been drinking coffee lately because I am so tired and I can barely put one foot in front of the other. My meals consist of chicken, carrots, hamburger and just a handful of other vegetables. I am always hungry. What should I do?
I recently found out I am allergic to brewer’s & baker’s yeast. I’ve already had to avoid gluten but that did not make a difference in my symptoms. If anyone has any tips on which friuts & veggies are safe, seasonings, any flavorings.. I would really appreciate it… I’ve already lost 36 lbs due to not knowing what is ok to eat. Definitely could use some feedback.
I have an allergy to yeast extract. I have anaphylactic-type symptoms when I eat it. Same reactions to wine. I previously had an allergy to MSG and nitrates/nitrites that triggered migraines. I seen an acupuncturist to remove these allergies. Check out the NAET procedure. It is a one-time trip per allergy and then the allergy is gone. Myself and many I know have had success with this. Soon I will get the yeast extract allergy treated. Best of luck to all you allergy sufferers!
rick ,
my six year old breaks out in hives, around mouth and butt cheeks we think from canditas. have you heard of this condition? the rashes are severe.
I see peanuts on the list. Are other nuts ok? I have been desperately trying to gain weight for the last six months after developing irritable bowel syndrome and when I was diagnosed with a severe yeast allergy this week I hope it might be the answer to why my body went crazy. I still want to keep as much good fat in my diet as possible so I have been putting unsweetened almond butter in my oatmeal. Is that safe?
If you are tolerating it after a week it should be fine.
ive been told not to have brewers yeast but not told what its in eg foods etc,i know its in beer and other alcohol drinks but thats all.if anyone can help please do.
Could you offer any recipes using bread machine to make gluten free and yeast free bread? My husband is on a gluten free diet and I;m having trouble finding a bread recipe that is gluten and yeast free. It’s odd that my husband’s nutritionist suggested eating foods with some form of yeast in it (which is a long list)…. It’s hard to avoid them…
Thank you…..
Your best bet is going to be looking for gluten-free cracker or muffin recipes. They are generally not bread machine recipes, since they are quick breads.
There is one bakery that makes a certified yeast-free sourdough bread fermented with bacteria, but it has gluten. It would be hard to do at home because there are wild yeast spores in the air that get into your sourdough starter.
I was tested and was told I’m alergic to Bakers and Brewers yeast. Can I still eat thing that have wild yeast? Even though I’m positive to Yeast but I don’t have any server reaction to date it only if I eat excessive amount of pizza dough…
Most wild yeast is the same as baker’s yeast
I get horrible heartburn from bread less than 24 hours old. Wine exagerates the burn. Nothing else seems to cause this. I havent heard anyone else say this. I drink lots of beer and never get heart burn. of course the yeast isnt new. I have decided only fresh yeast is my problem. sound familiar to anyone?
I’ve recently been diagnosed with “baker’s asthma”, and had to leave my workplace. Tested positive for baker’s yeast allergy. Allergist said there wasn’t a lot written on the subject due to it’s rarity.
Is there any reading that you can recommend on the subject of baker’s yeast allergy.? My case also includes asthma, so it’s difficult to tease out what symptoms are from breathing vs. eating baker’s yeast.
i have a bad bakers yeast allergy and it does give me sinus infections all the time…but its in everything so go figure..
I am allergic to yeast, dairy, peas, & garlic. These are very hard to avoid.
I appreciate all of the ideas everyone is writing in about. Very bad itching
lethargy, & swelling from these. This is a new diagnosis for me.
I just ound out that I am HIGHLY allergic to mold as well, (thought it was wheat and it is not) and I just had a drink with friends a few days ago and have had a baadd issues with my sinuses, headache, and stomach upset as well as a few bumps on my face…all week! I’m curious, are there ANY adult beverages that may not be harmful to me or am I just a complete non-drinker now?.. a friend told me to check into “distilled” alcohols because of their cooking process possibly killing off the mold bacteria…???
http://foodallergies.about.com/od/livingwithfoodallergies/a/alcohol.htm
It could be mold or yeast, or it could be sulfites or histamine or gluten causing your symptoms. Have you ever been tested for celiac disease?
I was just diagnosed with an allergy to baker’s yeast, brewer’s yeast, soy, wheat, gluten and dairy. It’s going to be a tough road ahead but I’m looking forward to finally feeling healthy after almost 5 years of constantly being sick. So grateful for websites and communities like these that provide awesome resources!
Thanks!
I had eliminated all grain products, starchy veggies and ate only low-glycemic fruits…trying to balance blood sugar and control candida. My latest blood allergy report came back with brewer’s and baker’s yeasts way off the charts high. Thanks to your website, I checked my supplements. Guess what? Its in those B Vitamins, multi-vitamins and digestive enzymes that I take multiple times EVERY DAY!!!
BTW, is it ok to use raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar while avoiding yeasts/ferments/molds? I believe this is a powerful candida-killer.
Naturopaths who diagnose candidia “infections” often suggest drinking these vinegars. There has been no benefit to allergies or GI problems found in either the mainstream or alternative medicine literature.
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/applecidervinegardiet/a/applecidervineg.
Over use of apple cider vinegar can cause (not solve) stomach problems.
I just found out I’M alleric to yeast I finding very hard to find some other things to eat because everything i look at has something in it that is not on the list that i was given to me by my doctor. i ‘m getting tried of the same old things to eat i really miss my yogurt and cheeses and peanutbutter
was wonder if you could tell me of some other things to eat
I have a yeast allergy which presents in various ways depending on the type of yeast and method of contact. For example if I walk near a bakery in the supermarket my lungs will react like asthma and produce fluid thus causing coughing. My throat also swells (and neck and face) and this can affect my voice significantly but as yet not my breathing. If I ingest a small amount (e.g. gravy made with Oxo cubes) I will get bad stomach pains a few hours later). I can get away with a small amount of vinegar eg on chips. Bread triggers migraines that cause me to lose chunks of time! There is something called a Herman cake (aka a friendship cake) so beware of this as I react even if its sitting on the side in someones kitchen covered over. When its stirred it must release something from the live yeast culture! If I stir it I react immediately with throat swelling and coughing and if I am just in the room then it may take a few hours before the swelling starts. I take antihistamine as soon as it happens and it takes about an hour to recover. I reacted the other day to a teaspoon of plum jam! I also have an issue with oats but I dont think there is a connection? I have also found a live greek yoghurt that triggers migraines and some live yoghurt can contain yeast! One glass of alcohol means fatigue and being unable to wake up properly or think clearly does anyone else get this? Like a severe hangover. Mine is linked to migraines so some of the symptoms may overlap. I’m still learning as its only recently, after years of ill health that I became aware that it was a yeast allergy. All help and advice appreciated!!!
Gg