Recipes Archives - The IC Diet Project (2024)

FAQs

What is the best diet for interstitial cystitis? ›

And less obvious spices such as cumin, cloves or paprika also have substances that may irritate some IC bladders. Yet many other herbs and spices are mild and bladder-safe even in relatively large amounts. Basil and mint for example are culinary herbs that most of us don't have trouble with.

Here is a list of some of the suggested items to restrict, fol- lowed by foods and beverages that a number of IC patients have noted do not cause them problems. Milk/Dairy Products Avoid: aged cheeses, sour cream, yogurt and choco- late.

Don't expect your symptoms to improve right away. It can take weeks for bladder flares, associated with specific foods and beverages, to calm after starting the elimination diet. It can be hard to be patient, but your bladder needs time to heal.

Oral medications

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline or imipramine (Tofranil), to help relax your bladder and block pain. Antihistamines, such as loratadine (Claritin, others), which may reduce urinary urgency and frequency and relieve other symptoms.

Coffee, soda, alcohol, tomatoes, hot and spicy foods, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus juices and drinks, MSG, and high-acid foods can trigger IC symptoms or make them worse.

When meal time rolls around, eggs are an IC patient's best friend. Naturally alkaline (with a pH of about 8), egg whites can help neutralize the bladder-provoking acids in other foods you may be eating.

Allowed: Bananas, coconuts, dates, blueberries, melons and pears Avoid: All other fruits and juices (especially acidic and citrus fruits) Special note: Avoid cranberry juice. The acid is a strong bladder irritant. Avoid: Benzyl alcohol, citric acid, MSG, NutraSweet, saccharin.

Personal Tips for Living with IC

Mix a quarter teaspoon of baking soda into a ½ cup of water, stir, and drink promptly. This calms the bladder. Make sure and check with your doctor if you take other medication. Eat squash and sweet potatoes during a flare-up.

Avocados have become a mainstay in the diets of many patients with IC. Remarkably low in acid and high in fiber and healthy fats, it is one of our most under appreciated vegetables. Avocado can shine at every meal. Avocado toast with a poached egg makes for a perfect breakfast.

Can you eat sweet potatoes with IC? ›

Leafy green & root vegetables like kale, spinach, cabbage, sweet potatoes, carrots & cauliflower can be safely eaten with unprocessed meats during IC flare-ups to avoid any further irritation to the bladder.

Limit the amount of fat you add when cooking and serving grains, beans, and starchy veggies. Snack on small amounts of whole grain cereal or whole grain crackers or popcorn.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a disorder in which the bladder (the organ that stores urine before it is passed out of the body) is overly sensitive, and usual causes for this, such as infection, cannot be found. The major symptoms are: pain in the pelvic area. urgent need to urinate often (up to 60 times a day).

People with IC are also at greater risk of other pain syndromes, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and fibromyalgia. Some people with IC report additional symptoms such as constipation, a reduced ability to pass stool regularly or empty your bowels when you need to poop.

If you have interstitial cystitis, you'll receive the message to pee much more frequently, sometimes up to 60 times in a day, and the process of holding and releasing urine becomes very painful. For women, the pain in the pelvic region can increase in severity during the menstrual cycle.

In fact, only banana skins or extremely overripe bananas may have enough tyramine to bother IC bladders. Unlike many other fruits, bananas are fairly low-acid so they make an ideal choice for IC patients to experiment with.

Drink as much water as possible. Water is the best thing for your body, especially for those of us with IC. The spasms and other symptoms will eventually calm down after you flush your bladder. Drink chamomile or peppermint hot teas.