Many, (but not all) patients with Interstitial Cystitis (IC) find that modification of their diet can help control their symptoms and prevent flare ups. Also try smaller meals. To try the diet start on food in the Okay section, eliminating those in the avoid section. After a few weeks you can gradually reintroduce one by one those in the avoid section. If this does not result in a flare of your symptoms you can continue with that item and try adding in the next one. Symptom flares usually occur 2 to 24 hours after ingestion. You should be able to gradually work out which foods aggravate your symptoms. You may not have to give these up forever but find you can tolerate them in either small amounts or on a rotational basis. You may wish to consider working with a nutritionist.
OKAY
- Rice, potatoes, pasta and other breads
- Chicken, Fish, most meat
- White chocolate
- Non-aged cheeses (cottage)
- Most vegetables
(home grown tomatoes are less acidic) - Watermelons, Pears
- Almonds, Cashews and Pine Nuts
- Bottled or Spring Water
- Decaffeinated, acid free tea and coffee
- Most Herbal Teas
- Garlic and other seasonings
AVOID
- Rye and Sourdough Bread
- Aged, canned, cured, processed or smoked meats and fish, corned beef
- Anchovies, Caviar, Chicken Livers
- Chocolate, Sour cream and Yoghurt
- Aged cheeses
- Tomatoes, Onions
- Fava, Lima and Soy beans and Tofu
- Apples, Apricots, Avocados, Bananas, Grapes, Cantaloupes, Citrus fruits, Cranberries, Nectarines, Peaches, Pineapples, Plums, Rhubarb, Strawberries and their juices. Most other nuts
- Tap Water
- All Caffeine, All Alcohol
- Carbonated Drinks, Cranberry Juice
- Mayonnaise, Miso, Spicy Foods, Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Salad Dressing, Preservatives, Artificial Ingredients & Colours, Benzol Alcohol, citric acid, MSG, Artificial Sweeteners, Tobacco, Diet pills, Junk Foods, Recreational Drugs, ephedrine or pseudoephidrine and some vitamins.
Version: V2, July 2013
