What to Eat

A balanced diet with a wide variety of items from all food groups is the best diet for IC/BPS.

What to Eat

The nutrients in food play an essential role in supporting your body. They help strengthen the immune system, promote wound healing, support nerve function, maintain healthy blood flow, and promote overall well-being.

For people living with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a balanced diet that includes a wide variety of foods from all food groups is still the best foundation for good health—just as it is for everyone else. The key difference is that some foods and beverages may need to be limited or avoided.

It’s important not to restrict too many foods, as this can lead to nutrient gaps and affect your overall health. The good news is that most problem foods have suitable alternatives, making it possible to nourish your body while also managing IC/BPS symptoms.

To support both your nutrition and your bladder health, consider these general guidelines:

  1. Aim for variety. Eating a wide range of foods helps ensure you get the nutrients your body needs.

  2. Practice moderation. Restaurant portions are often larger than necessary—don’t hesitate to ask for a doggie bag!

  3. Stay well hydrated. Drink enough fluids so your urine is a pale yellow color—an easy way to check hydration.

  4. Be mindful of sugar, salt, alcohol, and fat. Limiting excess sugar, sodium, alcohol, saturated fat, trans fats, and cholesterol is beneficial for everyone, including those with IC/BPS.

  5. Read food labels carefully. Check Nutrition Facts and ingredient lists for saturated fat, sodium, added sugars, and any ingredients that may trigger your IC/BPS symptoms.

With thoughtful choices and simple substitutions, you can enjoy a satisfying, nourishing diet that supports both your overall health and your bladder comfort.

THE BASICS OF HEALTHY EATING

FRUITS
MILK AND DAIRY

  • Choose whole fruits more often than fruit juice to benefit from fiber and nutrients.

  • Select fresh, frozen, or canned fruits without added sugar.

  • If you drink juice, choose 100% fruit juice, such as pear nectar.

  • Include vitamin C–rich fruits regularly, as tolerated.

  • Opt for low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such as skim or 1% milk.

  • Choose low-fat yogurt* without added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

     NON-STARCHY VEGETABLES
MEAT AND MEAT SUBSTITUTES

  • Enjoy fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables without added sauces, fats, or salt.

  • Aim for variety by choosing vegetables in many colors—green, orange, red, purple, and yellow—to get a wide range of nutrients.

  • Try to include at least two 3-ounce servings per week of cold-water oily fish, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, or sardines, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

  • Include meatless meals using beans, veggie burgers, nut butters, eggs, or low-fat cheese.

  • Remove the skin from chicken and turkey to reduce fat.

  • Choose lean cuts of meat and trim visible fat.

  • Read food labels and select meats and cheeses that are lower in fat.

  • Prepare foods by baking, roasting, broiling, or grilling instead of frying.

      GRAINS, BEANS, AND STARCHY VEGETABLES
ADDED FATS

  • Choose high-fiber foods such as legumes and whole grains.

  • Cook and bake with whole-grain options like whole-wheat flour, oats, barley, or quinoa.

  • Limit added fats when preparing grains, beans, and starchy vegetables.

  • Snack on small portions of whole-grain cereal, whole-grain crackers, or popcorn.

  • Use added fats such as butter, oil, margarine, mayonnaise, and salad dressings in moderation.

  • Cook with heart-healthy oils like olive or canola oil.

  • Choose products that are free of trans fats.

  • Enjoy nuts and seeds as snacks in small amounts.

*Some people with IC/BPS find yogurt to be bothersome.

Diet