How to Create and Follow an Interstitial Cystitis Diet

Individuals living with interstitial cystitis may find it challenging to manage their symptoms effectively.

It often requires a combination approach, including taking medication and making certain lifestyle changes. One of these changes is creating and following an interstitial cystitis diet.

This elimination diet usually involves identifying and avoiding foods that trigger symptoms or that can potentially irritate the bladder.

What is an Interstitial Cystitis Diet?

Interstitial cystitis (IC) — or bladder pain syndrome (BPS) — is a condition that develops when the bladder walls become inflamed due to factors such as stress, diet, and hormonal changes.

Managing this condition usually involves a multifaceted approach. This can include following an IC-friendly diet that focuses on avoiding foods and beverages that may irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms.

An IC-friendly diet includes anti-inflammatory foods that are less likely to cause symptoms to flare up.

Benefits of an interstitial cystitis diet

The primary benefit of an interstitial cystitis diet is the reduction of symptoms like bladder discomfort, pelvic pain and urination frequency or urgency.

When these symptoms are reduced, it can significantly improve your quality of life. Other benefits of following this diet include:

• Promoting healthy eating by incorporating more whole, unprocessed foods into your diet
• Increasing awareness around eating habits and how different foods can impact your body

Because this diet generally focuses on eating less acidic and spicy foods, it can also be beneficial for people with other health conditions — such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a sensitive stomach.

Disadvantages of an interstitial cystitis diet

Although an IC-friendly diet can be beneficial, it also has a few disadvantages that are important to consider.

The main difficulty encountered by most people aiming to follow an IC-friendly diet is identifying which foods trigger their symptoms.

Although many people develop flare-ups from the same types of food, it can still vary from person to person.

Identifying all of the foods that you should avoid can also be time-consuming, and it may take a while to adjust your diet completely.

Other disadvantages of following this diet may include:

• Being restricted to a limited variety of foods which can lead to feelings of deprivation
• Being at risk of developing nutritional deficiencies
• Having difficulties dining out and participating in social events that involve bothersome foods
• Potentially creating an unhealthy relationship with food because of the stress and anxiety involved in constantly monitoring what you eat

It’s important to note that there’s also no guarantee that following an IC-friendly diet will provide long-term relief from symptoms.

This can be demotivating for some people, especially if they’ve invested time and energy into identifying their specific food sensitivities.

Which Foods Can You Generally Eat When on This Diet?

An IC diet primarily focuses on foods that won’t aggravate the bladder and cause uncomfortable symptoms.

These foods are typically low in acidity, have a reduced potassium content — a substance that is a known bladder irritant — and contain little artificial additives.

IC-friendly foods are also easy to digest, which can help reduce the stress placed on the body to absorb nutrients. This can help reduce the risk of inflammation and bladder irritation.

Foods that you can incorporate into your meals typically include:

• Fruits like pears, blueberries, melons, and bananas (despite their high potassium content)

• Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and lettuce

• Mild vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, peas, and potatoes

• Proteins like chicken, turkey, salmon, eggs, and lean cuts of beef or pork

• Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, oats, whole wheat bread, and pasta

• Dairies like milk, cheese, and plain yogurt may be tolerated in small amounts, but this can vary

• Snacks like unsalted nuts and seeds

• Mild herbs and spices such as basil, parsley, and thyme can be used to add flavor to meals

• Sweeteners like honey are a great alternative to artificial sweeteners that may aggravate the bladder

In addition to these foods, beverages like water, herbal teas, and non-acidic juices are great options for ensuring proper hydration without risking a symptom flare-up.

Which Foods Should Typically Be Avoided?

When creating an IC-friendly diet, it’s important to be aware of and avoid certain foods that could irritate the bladder. These include:

• Citrus juices and fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and tomatoes

• Acidic fruits like pineapples, plums, and cranberries

• Spicy foods like chili peppers, salsa, curries, wasabi, and horseradish

• Beverages that are carbonated or contain caffeine or alcohol

• Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin, often found in sugar-free foods

• Processed foods like crisps, smoked or cured meats, french fries, and takeout meals

• Pickled foods like pickles, sauerkraut, peppers, and onions

• Aged cheeses, including cheddar, gruyere, parmesan, gouda, and manchego

Many of the foods known to cause symptomatic flare-ups have a high acidity, contain artificial additives, and are relatively spicy.

This can cause the bladder to become sensitive and make it more susceptible to infection.

Some trigger foods — like coffee and alcohol — are diuretic, meaning that they increase urine production.

This can lead to a frequent and urgent need to urinate, which can worsen the bladder irritation associated with IC.

Tips for Creating an Interstitial Cystitis-Friendly Diet

Meal planning and grocery shopping

Planning ahead is a great way to approach any dietary modifications. This involves writing a list of foods you want to buy and making your meals for the week ahead of time.

Meal planning helps you avoid the stress of having to decide what to cook and can be useful for maintaining your IC-friendly diet without wasting food or money.

When you go grocery shopping, having a list can also help you avoid the temptation to splurge on foods that may trigger bladder symptoms.

As you shop, remember to pay close attention to food labels and look out for hidden ingredients that may irritate your bladder — such as citric acid, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives.

These could also be listed as:

• Aspartame
• Sucralose
• Saccharin
• Acesulfame potassium
• Neotame
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• Sodium benzoate
• Potassium sorbate
• Sulfites
• Nitrites and nitrates
• Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
• Propyl gallate

Adapting your meals

Adjusting to an IC-friendly diet can be difficult, especially if you have to eliminate a wide variety of foods. Here are a few tips for making this transition easier:

• Modify your favorite meals with non-irritating ingredients, such as replacing tomatoes with carrots or butternut squash

• Cook at home to allow yourself full control over what goes into your meals

• Experiment with flavors by using various non-irritating herbs and spices

• Gradually introduce new foods into your diet to avoid feeling too overwhelmed

You can also try incorporating small portions of trigger foods to determine your tolerance level.

Some people may be able to consume potentially irritating foods in limited amounts without triggering IC symptoms.

This can make it easier to follow an IC-friendly diet because you won’t be giving up any potential favorite foods completely.

Choosing the right beverages

Similar to the impact of food on IC symptoms, certain beverages can also cause inflammation and irritation to flare up.

That’s why choosing the right drinks is a key component of creating and following an IC-friendly diet. Some options may include:

• Water
• Herbal teas like chamomile and peppermint
• Non-acidic juices like pear or blueberry juice

It’s also recommended to avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea, alcohol, and carbonated drinks, as these could cause bladder irritation.

Have a good support system

Making strict dietary changes and committing to them can be challenging, even if it helps alleviate your discomfort.

Having a group of people who can keep you accountable and support you when it becomes overwhelming is a great strategy for helping you stick to your IC diet.

Inform close friends and family about the changes you’re making and provide some educational resources to help them understand your decisions.

This can make it easier for them to support you, which can help you feel less overwhelmed and anxious about the transition.

You can also consider joining an IC support group. These platforms usually offer helpful advice, understanding, and shared experiences which can make your dietary journey easier.

When Should You See a Doctor About Following an Interstitial Cystitis Diet?

Because IC is such a complex condition, it’s always recommended to consult your doctor about treating and managing your symptoms.

If you’re considering following an IC-friendly diet, speaking to your doctor or a nutritionist can help you make appropriate dietary decisions that will be the most effective for you.

Working with a nutritionist to create your IC diet can help you avoid nutritional deficiencies that may cause other health complications.

You should also consult a doctor if you experience any of the following while implementing an IC diet:

• Persistent or worsening symptoms that don’t improve
• Nutritional concerns
• Pregnancy or planning to get pregnant
• Difficulties following or sticking to the diet

If you have any other health conditions — such as diabetes or gastrointestinal disorders — it’s also recommended to speak to your doctor before starting a new diet.

Some conditions have special dietary considerations, making it important to notify your doctor about new eating habits to ensure that you’re looking after your health properly.

Where Can You Learn More About Managing Interstitial Cystitis?

If you’re concerned about your symptoms or want to know more about managing interstitial cystitis by following a bladder-friendly diet, LifeMD is here to help.

LifeMD can connect you to a team of medical professionals who can assist you with information and provide guidance on best practices for managing this condition while avoiding further complications — all from the comfort of your home.

Make an appointment today to get started.