Eating with IC

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Interstitial Cystitis Association

Research about the effect of diet on interstitial cystitis, or IC, is limited. But, many people with IC report that certain foods appear to irritate their bladder. And, they find that changing what they eat and drink can help control IC symptoms and flare-ups.

What things can bother people with IC?

Research links a handful of foods and drinks to IC flare-ups, including:• Coffee,tea,soda,alcohol,

andcitrusjuicesincludingcranberryjuice.

• Foodsanddrinkswithartificialsweeteners(aspartameandsaccharin).

• Hotpeppersandspicyfood.

• Somefoodswithhighpotassiumlevels,likebananas,chocolate,andoranges.

However,thereappearstobegreatindividualvariationintheeffectoffoodsanddrinksonICsymptoms.Howmuch,howoften,andthespecificcombinationoffoodsanddrinksvariesforeachperson.Also,somefreshfoodsthatbotheryoumaynotcauseaflare-upwhentheyarecooked.Forexample,thoughafreshapplemayirritateyourbladder,youmaybeabletoenjoyapplesauce.ManypeoplewithICnoteworseningofsymptomswithfoods,drinks,medicines,andsupplementscontainingpreservatives,artificialingredients,colors,andmonosodiumglutamate(MSG).Flaresmayoccurwithinminutesofeatingordrinkingatriggeritem,ormayoccurhoursordayslater.SomeICpatientshaveadditionalsymptomscausedbyfoodallergies,includingsensitivitiestowheat,corn,rye,oats,andbarley.Otherpatientswithmilkallergiesandlactoseintolerancemayexperienceabadresponsetothesefoods.Womenwithvulvodyniamayneedtoavoidfoodshighinoxalates.Talkwithyourhealthcareprovideraboutanyfoodintolerancesandpotentialcrossreactions.

Discovering which foods and beverages to restrict can be a lengthy process.

Todetermineyourpersonaltriggerfoods,usethislistoftheleasttomostbothersomefoods,ordownloadacopyatwww.ichelp.org/ICFoodList:BLADDER FRIENDLYincludesfoodsthatrarelybothereventhemostsensitiveICbladders.Ifyouarenewlydiagnosed,eatthosefoodsuntilyouexperiencesomerelieffromyoursymptoms.Itmaytakeafewweeks,butdoyourbesttostickwithit!TRY ITincludesfoodsthataregenerallysafetoeat,thoughtheymightbothermoresensitivebladders.Ifyourbladderisimproving,thesefoodsaresafetotry.Startwithasmallquantityandseehowyoudo.CAUTIONincludesfoodswhichtriggerbladderdiscomfort.Trythesefoodsonlyifyourbladderisnolongersensitive.

Hints for Determining Your Trigger Foods

Don’t be afraid to eat.TherearemanyfoodsthatyoucaneatwithICthatwillnotbotheryourbladder.

When trying a risky food, start with smaller quantities.Try½apieceoffruitoradashofspice.Seehowyourbodyrespondsandifyoudowellwiththatfood,thentrygraduallyincreasingthequantity.

Figure out what brands you can eat.Many“brands”ofthesamefoodmayhavecompletelydifferentingredientsandadditives.Beforegivinguponaspecificfood,trydifferentbrands.

Become a label-reader. Takeaminutetodoublechecktheingredientsinpackagedfoods.

1.KeepanOKfoodandsymptomdiarywhileyouareexperimentingwithyourdiet.

2.Askyourhealthcareprovideraboutfoodsthatmaycompromisetheeffectivenessofmedicinesandothertreatments.

3.Don’tbeafraidtoeat.Therearemanyfoodsthatyoucaneatthatwillnotbother

yourbladder.MostICpatientsfindtheycanaddtotheirpersonalOKfoodlistastheirsymptomsimprove.SomemayevenbeabletooccasionallyconsumefoodsfromtheCautionlist.

4.Ifyoursymptomsflareafterconsumingaproblemfood,returntothefoodsyouknow

tobeokforyourbladderuntiltheflarepasses.

5.Whenpossible,shopforfreshfoods.Processedfoodsoftencontainingredients

thatcanbeirritatingincludingsomepreservatives,artificialflavorings,additives,and/orartificialvitamins.OrganicfoodsoftencontainfeweradditivesandmaybeusefulinanICdiet.

6.Many“brands”ofthesamefoodhavecompletelydifferentadditives.Before

givinguponaspecificfood,youmightwanttotrydifferentbrands.

7. Pre-existingfoodallergies,suchasanallergytonutsorcorn,canalsotriggerbladderirritationand,possibly,astrongerallergicreaction.Ifyouareallergictospecificfoods,avoidthesefoodseveniftheyarelistedbelow.

How Do I Figure Out What I Can Eat and Drink?

Dining OutWhenyouareeatingatrestaurantsorsocialgatherings,askaboutingredientsandstayawayfromdisheswhereingredientsarehardtodiscern.Spicyethnicfoodscanposeaproblemwhendiningout.Theingredientsinthesedishesareoftendifficulttodetermine.Beforeordering,askyourwaiterwhatspicesareusedinparticulardishes.

Least to Most Bothersome Food List

PleasereviewthefoodsanddrinksthatmanyICpatientsreportleastbothersome(Bladder Friendly),okaytoeat(Try It),andmostbothersome(Caution).Thelistisnotadietaryguidelineoramealplan,butratheraguidetoassistyouindeterminingproblemandnon-problemfoods.FormoreinformationonICanddiet,gotowww.ichelp.org/ICDiet.

BEVERAGESBL

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WATER –testonethatworksforyouJUICE –blueberry,pearMILK, MILK SUBSTITUTES – almond,rice,LactaidMILKSHAKE –vanillaTEA –chamomile,peppermintNON-DAIRY CREAMERS – checklabelEGGNOG –nonalcoholic,withoutproblemingredients

JUICE –low-acidorange,grape,someapple,babyCOFFEE –herbal,low-aciddecaf,roastedcarobTEA – alfalfa,roastedcarobSODA –rootbeerwithice(decaffeinated,notdiet)SPORTS DRINKS –testtofindonethatworksforyou(e.g.,blueGatorade®)

ALCOHOL –notrecommendedwithmanyICmedicinesWATER – carbonated,vitamin,flavoredJUICE – cranberry,orange,acaiMILK – chocolate,soyCOFFEE – regular,decafTEAS – regular,green,herbal,icedSODAS – colas,citrus,orange,dietDRINK POWDERS – suchasKool-aid®,lemonade,orange,orpowderediceteadrinksENERGY DRINKS – guarana,mate

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BREADS –cornbread,oatbread,pita,potatobread,whitebread,Italiansweetbread,wholewheatbreadCEREALS –mostcerealswithoutproblemingredients,oatcereal,ricecereal(hotorcold)CRACKERS –matzoGRAINS –couscous,grits,millet,quinoa,speltFLOURS –buckwheat,wheatPASTARICE

BREADS – rye,sourdoughCEREALS – instantpackagedhotcerealCRACKERS – withoutproblemingredientsGRAIN – amaranth

BREADS – madewithunsafeingredientsand/orheavilyprocessedandfortifiedCEREALS – heavilypreserved,sweetened,heavilyfortified,flavoredFLOUR – soyPASTA – preparedorboxedpastadishesRICE – boxeddishes

FATS & NUTSBL

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NUTS – almonds,cashews,peanutsBUTTERS –almond,peanutOILS – canola,coconut,corn,olive,peanut,safflower,sesame,soy

MARGARINE LARDSHORTENINGSALAD DRESSING – homemadewithoutproblemingredients

NUTS – macadamia,pecans,walnutsMAYONNAISETAHINISEEDS –sunflowerseedsSHORTENING – butter-flavored

NUTS – filberts,hazelnuts,pecans,pistachiosOILS – checklabelSALAD DRESSINGS – most

IF YOU HAVE NUT OR OTHER FOOD ALLERGIES, TALK WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER ABOUT YOUR SPECIAL DIET NEEDS.

EGGS, MEAT, FISH, & POULTRY

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EGGSPOULTRY – chicken,turkeyFISHBEEFSEAFOOD – clams,crabmeat(notcanned),lobster,shrimpLAMBPORKPROTEIN POWDER – whey,eggwhiteVEALLIVER – beeforchicken

GARDEN/VEGGIE BURGERS – withoutsoyproductsBEEF – cornedbeefSANDWICH MEATS – liverwurst,ham(freshorboiled,withoutheavypreservativesorflavorings)BACONANCHOVIESCAVIARPROSCIUTTOSAUSAGES – withoutproblemingredients

CURED MEATS – bologna,pepperoni,salami,cannedcrabmeat,hotdogs,sausageSMOKED FISHSOY PRODUCTS – soyveggiepatties,proteinpowder,tofu

DAIRY, CHEESES, & FROZEN DESSERTS

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CHEESES – American,mozzarella,cheddar(mild),feta,ricotta,stringcheeses,creamcheese,cottagecheeseICE CREAM – mostMILKMILK SUBSTITUTES – Lactaid®

SHERBET – nocitrusorchocolateflavorsWHIPPED CREAM

CHEESES – bluecheese,brie,brick,parmesan,camembert,cheddar(sharp),edam,emmenthaler,gruyerehardjack,MontereyJack,parmesan(freshandcanned),Roquefort,stilton,SwissbuttermilkSOUR CREAM – accentonabakedpotatoorsoupPIZZA – plain,chickenandgarlic,veggie,madewithwhitesauceSORBETYOGURT – blueberry,vanilla,plain

CHEESES – processed,CheezWhiz®

ICE CREAM – citrusorchocolateflavorsSOY PRODUCTS – soymilk,soycheesesPIZZA – pepperoni

FRUITSBL

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APPLES – Gala,Fuji,PinkLadyAPPLESAUCE – homemadewithGala,Fuji,orPinkLadyapplesBLUEBERRIES COCONUT – withoutpreservativesDATES – withoutpreservativesPEARS WATERMELON

APPLESAUCE – commercialorbabyAPRICOTSBANANASBERRIES – blackberries,raspberries,olallieberries,cherimoyaCHERRIES – fresh,maraschino

CITRUS PEELSCURRANTSFIGSMANGOMELON – Crenshaw,honeydewPEACHESPLUMSRAISINS – brownRHUBARB

BERRIES – cranberriesCITRUS –lemons,limes,oranges,grapefruitDRIED FRUIT – withpreservativesGRAPESGUAVAKIWI FRUIT

MELONS – cantaloupeNECTARINESPASSION FRUITPAPAYAPERSIMMONPINEAPPLESTARFRUITSTRAWBERRIESRAISINS – golden

VEGETABLES & DRIED BEANS

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ASPARAGUS AVOCADOBEANS – blackeyedpeas,garbanzo,lentils,pinto,white,mostdriedbeansBEETSBROCCOLIBRUSSELS SPROUTSCABBAGECARROTSCAULIFLOWERCELERYCHIVESCORNCUCUMBEREGGPLANTGREEN BEANSGREENS – collardgreens,kale,mustardgreens,

okra,swisschard,spinach,bokchoyLETTUCE AND MOST SALAD GREENSMUSHROOMSOLIVES – blackPARSLEYPEAS – green,snowpeas,splitpeasBELL PEPPERS – yellow,orange,redPOTATOES– white,yamsPUMPKINRADISHESRHUBARBRUTABAGASQUASH – summer,winter,zucchiniTURNIPS

BEANS – fava,kidneybeans,limabeans,blackbeansBELL PEPPERS – greenOLIVES – greenGREENS –chicory,dandeliongreens,purslane,turnipgreens

LEEKS (COOKED)ONIONS – white,red,cookedbulbonion,rawgreenTOMATOES – homegrown,lowacidWATERCRESS

CHILI PEPPERSONIONS – rawbulbonionsPICKLESSAUERKRAUT

SOY BEANS – edamame,roastedTOMATO – tomatosauces,tomatojuiceTOFU

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ALMONDSCARROTSCELERYCHIPS – corn,potato(plain)CRACKERS – sodaorsoupFRUIT BARS – blueberry,pear

MILKSHAKE – vanillaOATMEAL BARSPEANUTSPEANUT BUTTERPOPCORNPRETZELS – plain

DONUTS – glazed,oldfashionedGRAHAM CRACKERSFRUIT AND NUT BARS – withsafeingredientsLICORICEPIZZA – plain,chickenandgarlic,veggie,madewithwhitesauce

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS – acesulfameKaspartame,Nutrasweet®,saccharine,Sweet-N-Low®,steviaCANDY – redhot-typecinnamonCHOCOLATE – cocoa,milk,bittersweet,darkICE CREAM – chocolate,coffee,rockyroad

SORBETS – withproblemfruitsPASTRIES – withproblemfruitsPIE – pecan,mincemeatPIZZA – pepperoni DESSERTS – withproblemnutsFRUITCAKES

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HOMEMADE SOUP AND STOCK – fromokaymeatsandvegetables

SOUPS – canned,lowsodium,organicsoups(withoutproblemingredients)

BOUILLON – cubes,powderCANNED – mostPACKAGED SOUPS – most

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CONDIMENTS, SEASONINGS, & FLAVOR ENHANCERS

ALLSPICEALMOND EXTRACTANISEBASILCARAWAY SEEDCORIANDER

DILLFENNELGARLICMACEMARJORAMOREGANOPOPPY SEED

ROSEMARYSAGESALT (insmallquantities)THYMETARRAGONVANILLA EXTRACT

BLACK PEPPERCELERY SEEDCILANTROCINNAMON – (powdered) CITRIC ACID – insmallquantitiesCUMIN (smallamount)DRIED PARSLEY

DRIED CHERVILGINGERLEMON EXTRACTLEMON ZESTMAYONNAISEMALT POWDERNUTMEGONION POWDERORANGE EXTRACTTURMERIC

ASCORBIC ACID AUTOLYZED YEAST BHA AND BHT BENZOATESCATSUP (ketchup)CAYENNECLOVESCHILI POWDERHORSERADISHHOT CURRY POWDERHYDROLYZED PROTEINMEAT TENDERIZERSMISO

MUSTARDOLEORESIN PAPRIKAPAPRIKAPICKLESRED PEPPERSOY SAUCETAMARIVINEGARWORCESTERSHIRE SAUCEMSG – monosodiumglutamateMETABISULFITESSULFITES

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FIBER SUPPLEMENTSACACIA FIBERBENEFIBER®METAMUCIL® – plainpsylliumBULK PSYLLIUM FIBER – notsugarfree

COLACE®METAMUCIL® – cinnamonwafers

METAMUCIL® – orange,berryburstPSYLLIUM FIBER – sugar-freeduetothepresenceofartificialsweeteners SENNA

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DESSERTS & SWEETSBERRIES – blueberriesCAKE – homemadepoundcake,angelfood,homemadewhite/yellowcakes,carrotFROSTINGS – homemadevanillafrosting,homemadecaramelfrosting,carob,whippedcreamCAROB

COOKIES – oatmeal,shortbread,sugarMUFFINS – carrotCHEESECAKECREME BRÛLÉECUSTARDSPIE – custard,creampie,homemadeapplepie(withsafeapples),pumpkinpie,divinitySWEET BREADS – homemadezucchinibread

CANDY – licoriceMAPLE SYRUPPASTRIES – plain,almond,pearICE CREAM – peppermint,vanillaPUDDING – tapioca,vanilla,riceMILKSHAKE – vanillaSWEETENERS – brownsugar,honey,sugar

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS – Splenda®(sucralose)CANDY – caramelCHOCOLATE – whiteICE CREAM – caramel,coconut,mango,peppermint,butterpecan

SORBET – coconutPASTRIES – blueberry,cinnamonPOPSICLES – someSWEET BREAD – bananaYOGURT – frozen

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS – acesulfameK,aspartame,Nutrasweet®,saccharine,Sweet-N-Low®,steviaCANDY – redhot-typecinnamon

CHOCOLATE – cocoa,milk,bittersweet,darkICE CREAM – chocolate,coffee,rockyroadSORBETS – withproblemfruits

PASTRIES – withproblemfruitsPIE – pecan,mincemeatDESSERTS – withproblemnutsFRUITCAKES

FOR MEBLADDER FRIENDLY

FOR METRY IT

FOR MECAUTION

About the ICATheInterstitialCystitisAssociation(ICA)istheonlynon-profitcharitableorganizationdedicatedtoimprovingthequalityofhealthcareandlivesofpeoplelivingwithinterstitialcystitis(IC).

MissionConqueringIC.ChangingLives.TheICAprovidesadvocacy,researchfunding,andeducationtoensureearlydiagnosisandoptimalcarewithdignityforpeopleaffectedbyIC.

Contact email:icamail@ichelp.orgweb: www.ichelp.orgaddress:1760OldMeadowRoad,Suite500McLean,VA22102

TheinformationprovidedbytheICAisdesignedtosupport,notreplace,therelationshipthatexistsbetweenanindividualandhis/herhealthcareprovider.

Copyright©2013InterstitialCystitisAssociation(ICA).Materialmaynotbereproducedinwholeorinpartwithoutwrittenspecialpermission. RBD

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