Interstitial cystitis diet

The foods that you eat and the diet that you follow play a crucial role in controlling both the symptoms and the severity of interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis is a painful bladder condition that causes the individual to feel like they have to relieve their on a frequent basis. The pain from interstitial cystitis can encompass entire pubic region. Many times the person who has this condition will also have stomach ulcers.

More women than men suffer from this condition. Women who have interstitial cystitis should follow a healthy diet to help control this condition. There are certain foods that should avoided when you have an over active bladder, because these foods can irritate the bladder and cause the severity of the symptoms to increase. There are also certain medications that you can take to treat this condition. However, medications can cause various negative side effects and many people would rather try to go on an interstitial cystitis diet to help relieve their condition.

A healthy interstitial cystitis diet is one that will help soothe the inflammation in the urinary tract that can be caused by eating certain foods. If you follow a good interstitial diet and limit these foods you can successfully limit the symptoms that accompany this syndrome.

The proper modification of your diet should limit the inflammatory foods that cause irritation of the bladder and one that focuses on including foods that are soothing to the bladder. Foods that can soothe the bladder include:

  • Potatoes, rice, pasta, most breads
  • Certain fresh fruits that are low on the acidic scale like apples, pears, coconut, bananas and peaches, grapes and figs etc.
  • Certain dairy products like milk, buttermilk, vanilla ice cream, cream etc.
  • Natural beef, poultry and fish that is not canned or processed in any way.
  • Beverages that are decaffeinated and acid-free. For example you can have certain herbal teas as well as decaffeinated coffee. Fruit juices can be enjoyed if they are not made from the acidic fruits as well.
  • Green vegetables, broccoli, artichokes, egg plant and oher vegetables that are alkaline producing.
  • White chocolate

Many people find that when they eat certain foods they have more trouble with the symptoms of interstitial bladder condition. The severity of the symptoms can increase for people who eat these foods. However, everyone is different and one food may trigger problems for one person and may not bother another person at all. It can take up to a year for some people to pinpoint which foods cause them more trouble with their bladder than others. Certain common foods cause most people who suffer with this syndrome to have increased symptoms. Basically the troubling foods that should be avoided are:

  • Breads made from rye flour or sourdough bread
  • Acid producing dairy products like aged cheeses, sour cream, yogurt and chocolate milk.
  • Acid forming fruits like apricots, avocados, cranberries, oranges, lemons, limes, tangerines and grapefruit.
  • Acidic forming beverages like, beer, liquors, coffee, tea, cranberry juice, orange juice, lemonade and all carbonated sodas.
  • Condiments and seasonings like mayonnaise, miso, soy sauce, salad dressings and vinegar.
  • Acid forming meats that contain nitrates like ham, bacon, corned beef, smoked meats and processed luncheon meats, hot dogs, sausages, pepperoni, salami and chili beans.
  • Fish that is canned, smoked or processed
  • Artificial sweeteners, monosodium glutamate, citric acid, benzol alcohol and other preservatives.
  • Vegetables like onions, tomatoes, lima beans and fava beans, chili peppers, corn, lintels and olives.
  • Chocolate
Last updated on Dec 9th, 2009 and filed under Genitourinary Disorders, Healthy Eating. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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