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Diets for IC

Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a painful condition characterized by irritation of the bladder lining. Symptoms include pain, frequent urge to urinate and discomfort that can radiate through the pelvis. The disease is poorly understood, widely underdiagnosed, and there are few standard treatments agreed upon by urologists. Several dietary components seem to affect pain levels in those suffering from the condition and eliminating these foods can bring relief in many cases.

  1. Avoid High Potassium Foods

    • Potassium irritates the inflamed bladder lining of the IC patient to such an extent that pain upon a potassium bladder infusion is used to diagnosis the condition. When potassium consumed in the diet reaches the bladder this also causes pain. Foods high in potassium should be avoided. These include oranges and other citrus fruits and juices, potatoes, bananas, tomatoes, nuts and honeydew.

    Avoid High Acid Foods

    • The inflamed bladder is sensitive to the presence of acid. Foods to be avoided include apples, apricots, spicy foods, coffee, cranberries, grapes, vinegar, tomatoes, peaches, pineapple, plums and prunes. Medications and antacid tablets meant to reduce acidity for people who suffer heartburn also work well to decrease acid for the IC patient. Taking 1/4 tsp. baking soda mixed into 8 oz. water will also help reduce the amount of acid ending up in the bladder.

    Avoid Certain Amino Acids

    • Tyrosine, tyramine, tryptophan, and aspartate should be avoided during bouts of IC. This includes aged foods like yogurt, cheeses, sourdough breads, wine, beer and champagne. The artificial sweetener aspartame must be avoided. Other foods in this category include chocolate, pickles, pineapple, pork, nuts, sour cream, soy sauce, corned beef and cold cuts. Carrying the list of foods to avoid is a good strategy--since these foods have little in common the list is difficult to memorize.

    Avoid Most Beverages

    • Water is best, and the more the better for diluting any bladder irritants in the urine. Beverages which must be avoided include carbonated beverages (soda, seltzer and beer), most wines, coffee and tea and most juices.
      For coffee drinkers, finding a low acid coffee is an acceptable substitute. For tea drinkers a weak herbal tea that does not contain offending fruits may be tolerated.
      Fruit punches made with pear juice or powdered drink mix are another option for a flavored drink.

    The Elimination Diet

    • The idea of going without a large variety of foods can at first appear unthinkable, but when the pain becomes unbearable it is time to try the diet. First compose a list of foods allowed. Eat only these foods for three or four days, giving the bladder some time to heal. This list would include rice, bread, pears, mango, milk, most vegetables, eggs, chicken and ground beef. Carefully read ingredients of any processed or packaged foods to be sure they do not contain irritants, such as potassium sorbate or artificial sweeteners.

      As pain, urgency and frequency begin to subside, add only one or two new foods each day to the diet. Sensitivity to each food varies on an individual basis. Keep a detailed journal of which foods are added and any aggravation of symptoms. Slowly over time, many foods will be tolerated, especially in small amounts. Learning which foods can be consumed without promoting symptoms will help the person with IC lead a pain-free life.

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