WellBladder.com

This is a partial list of foods and beverages that have been reported to cause bladder irritation, particularly in people diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis (IC).  It is important to get to know you own body's responses and your individual dietary and environmental triggers.  Everyone is unique.  That being said, this list is a very good place to start.

Keeping a Diet Journal:

Who better to figure out what's bugging your bladder than you?  A good way to take responsibility for your own health is to begin keeping a diet journal.  It is not concerned with calories, so you don't need to include amounts, just the foods themselves, and don't forget beverages too. 

You may be surprised by the results!

COMMON BLADDER IRRITANTS:

• Caffeine (espresso, coffee, tea, chocolate, green tea)
• Vinegar (all types)
• Alcohol (all forms)
• Soy sauce and other very salty foods
• Sugar - White cane sugar, brown sugar, etc.
• Tomato products - especially canned tomatoes.  Some people tolerate fresh tomatoes well if they don't over-do it.
• Fruits & Vegetables that are high in Oxalates (contain Oxalic Acid) - including spinach, rhubarb, pumpkin, kale, and others - the web has lots of information on high-oxalate foods.
• Citrus fruits and juices
• Yeast & fermented foods
• Dairy products
• Wheat
• Gluten (Wheat, Barley & Rye) link to my site on gluten-related health issues, diet, resources, and support www.glutenfreechoice.com
• Cranberries - yes, that's right cranberries.  Despite helping to prevent urinary tract infections in people with healthy bladders, they can be quite irritating to people with interstitial cystitis.

Following an Allergy-Elimination Diet:

This process takes a deep commitment, planning, and organization, but can really yield some impressive results, as you methodically track down every irritant, allergy and food sensitivity by following your elimination diet plan.   It might take anywhere from two weeks to five weeks to get your results. 

1. You can start by avoiding all of the common bladder irritants, foods that other immediate family members are allergic or sensitive to, and the list of top  allergens:   shellfish, dairy products, wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, citrus, and chocolate.  Also exclude chemical additives like MSG, Potassium Sorbate, and Aspartame. 
2. Eat only fresh fruits, vegetables, protein, and grains.  The trick is to start with the least allergenic fruits and vegetables, and plain rice, which is considered to be the grain least likely to produce allergic symptoms. A traditional food elimination starts with rice, lamb, pears, and spinach.  For those with bladder issues, spinach is not a good first choice.  Substitute carrots, zucchini, cauliflower or broccoli. 
3. Eat only these foods for three days, drink plenty of water, and track your symptoms.  At the end of every three days, add one new food item, rotating food groups between protein, grain/starch, vegetable, and fruit.  By the end of the first week, you'll get the hang of it.