Eating with IC - What is the IC Diet?


Research about the link between IC and food is limited. But, many people with interstitial cystitis, IC, report that certain foods appear to irritate their bladder and cause their IC to flare. And, they find that changing what they eat and drink can help control IC symptoms and flare-ups. These patients follow the IC Diet.

What things can bother people with IC?

Research links a handful of foods and drinks to IC flare-ups, including:

  • Coffee, tea, soda, alcohol, and citrus juices including cranberry juice irritate IC
  • Foods and drinks with artificial sweeteners (aspartame and saccharin) bother many patients with IC
  • Hot peppers and spicy foods flare IC symptoms
However, there appears to be great individual variation among IC patients in the effect of foods and drinks on IC symptoms. How much, how often, and the specific combination of foods and drinks varies for each person with IC. Also, some fresh foods that bother your IC may not cause a flare-up when they are cooked. For example, though a fresh apple may irritate your bladder, you may be able to enjoy applesauce.

Many people with IC note worsening of IC symptoms with foods, drinks, medicines, and supplements containing preservatives and artificial ingredients and colors—such as benzyl alcohol, citric acid, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). If you have milk allergies or are lactose intolerant, your IC symptoms may worsen when you drink milk and eat dairy foods.

Determining Your Personal IC Trigger Foods

Diet modification is the first line of defense for patients struggling with IC or bladder pain and discomfort (IC/PBS/BPS). Since sensitivity to various foods can vary among individuals with IC, it is important to determine your personal IC trigger foods. This three-column system is based on emerging research as well as information gathered from IC patient and clinician experience.

Step by Step Through the IC Food List

    • IC Friendly
      Includes foods that rarely bother even the most sensitive IC bladders. If you are newly diagnosed, eat these foods until you experience some relief from your symptoms. It may take a few weeks, but do your best to stick with it!
    • Try It
      Includes foods that are generally safe to eat though they might bother more sensitive bladders. If your bladder is improving, these foods are safe to try. Test one food at a time, beginning with a small quantity such as 1/2 a piece of fruit or a dash of spice, gradually increasing portion size over the course of a few days. If you do not react to the food, you can add it to your own personal “IC Friendly” food list. If your IC symptoms flare after consuming a problem food, return to the foods you know to be ok for your bladder until the IC flare passes.
    • Caution
      Includes foods which trigger IC bladder discomfort. Try these foods only if your IC is in check and your bladder is no longer sensitive.


Additional Hints

  1. Keep a good food and symptoms diary while you are experimenting with your diet. It can take from minutes to hours for a problem food or beverage to trigger symptoms.
  2. Avoid trigger foods when starting new therapies, such as Elmiron®. Problem foods may compromise the effectiveness of those treatments.
  3. Don't be afraid to eat. In addition to the many foods that you can enjoy from the “IC Friendly” list, as your symptoms of IC improve, add variety to your IC diet by testing foods from the IC Food List “Try It” list. Some IC patients, occasionally, may be able to consume small quantities foods from the IC Food List “Caution” list.
  4. Shop for fresh foods whenever possible. Processed foods often contain ingredients that can be irritating to IC patients, including some preservatives, artificial flavorings, additives and or artificial vitamins. Organic foods often contain fewer additives and may be useful in an IC diet. Always read labels to look for hidden IC triggers.
  5. Try different brands. Many "brands" of the same food have completely different ingredients and additives and could irritate your IC bladder.
  6. Avoid foods that you know you are allergic to even if they are included in this IC diet guide. Pre-existing food allergies, such as an allergy to nuts or grains, can also trigger IC bladder irritation and/or a stronger allergic reaction.

Remember...

Making the changes necessary for the IC diet and changing the foods you eat to help control your symptoms of IC can take time. Give yourself plenty of time to discover your ideal IC diet. It may require several weeks of trial and error. To learn more check out:


Check out more eating with IC resources in the ICA Store and on the IC Reading List.

 

Revised August 20, 2010