Diet Restrictions for Interstitial Cystitis
There is no scientific link between interstitial cystitis and diet, but many IC patients find that modifying their diet helps to control their symptoms and avoid flare-ups. The following is a list of foods by food group that many IC patients have trouble with and that the Interstitial Cystitis Association recommends avoiding:
- Milk and dairy products: aged cheeses, sour cream, and yogurt and chocolate.
- Vegetables: favabeans, lima beans, onions, tofu and tomatoes.
- Fruits: apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, cantaloupes, citrus fruits, cranberries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pineapples, plums, pomegranates, rhubarb, strawberries and any juices made from these fruits.
- Carbohydrates and grains: rye and sourdough bread.
- Meats and fish: aged, canned, cured, processed or smoked meats and fish, anchovies, caviar, chicken livers, corned beef, and meats containing nitrates or nitrites.
- Nuts: most nuts.
- Beverages: alcoholic beverages including beer and wine, carbonated drinks, coffee, tea, cranberry juice.
- Seasonings: mayonnaise, miso, spicy foods (in particular Chinese, Indian, Mexican and Thai), soy sauce, salad dressings and vinegar.
- Preservatives and additives: benzol alcohol, citric acid, monosodium glutamate, aspartame (Nutrasweet?), saccharine, foods containing preservatives and artificial ingredients and colors.
- Miscellaneous: tobacco, caffeine, diet pills, junk foods, cold and allergy medications containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine and certain vitamins that contain fillers especially aspartate.
It is important to remember that each individual reacts differently, so what effects one person negatively will be fine for another. Many IC patients report having the least trouble with rice, potatoes, pasta, vegetables and chicken.
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