Diet and Nutrition

    Chocolate: Chocolate seems to be loved and desired by all. But those who suffer from Interstitial 
Cystistis find that chocolate has a way of triggering IC symptoms. The reason for this may be due to 
chocolate containing theobromine, caffeine, phenylethylamine, tannis and oxalates. The funny think 
about chocolates triggering IC symptoms and that reports from the field have related that cheap 
chocolates are worse than more expensive chocolates or even white or very dark chocolates. Again, one 
needs to experiment and keep careful notes on how various foods affect you.

    Most Bothersome Foods:
    • Coffee- both caffeine and decaf
    • Tea
    • Carbonated and Non-carbonated caffeine and decaffeinated beverages
    • Beer
    • Citrus type juices
    • Red Wine
    • White Wine
    • Champagne
    • Pineapple
    • Cranberry Juice
    • Pineapple Juice
    • Tomato products
    • Hot Spicy Foods
    • NutraSweet, Sweet N Low, Equal, Saccharine
    • Mexican, Thai and Indian Foods
    • Horseradish
    • Chili
    • Vinegar
    Diet Tips:
    1. Start keeping a food diary. Track your pain and give it a score, like 1-10 with 10 being the worst.
    2. Keep track of how often you use the bathroom and measure your urine output if possible.
    3. Follow a bladder friendly diet until you get some relief before adding foods.
    4. Don’t expect results over night. It might take weeks but take joy and celebrate your success if you can reduce your pain even slightly. Build on your success.
    5. When it is time to add foods, add foods with more nutritional bang. Good examples would be bananas, low acid orange juice, raspberries as a start.
    6. Foods may affect you differently at different stages of your disease, so don’t be afraid to retry foods if you are feeling better.
    7. Most patients need to combine dietary modification with other treatment options, so make sure you work with your health care team to work a multiple strategy approach to this problem.
    IC Smart Diet – The Truth About the Foods You Eat

    Did you know that certain foods can cause additional distress when you’re suffering with interstitial cystitis (IC)? Typically, foods high in acid and potassium, as well as beverages containing caffeine and alcohol, should be avoided.

    Recipes:

    Try these bladder-friendly recipes the whole family will enjoy!