IC Disease

When it comes to what to eat and avoid with Interstitial Cystitis, patients are probably going to get confused and will read so many different “theories”. The IC Network is an organization that I have the most faith in when it comes to what to do and not to with IC Disease. The IC Network recommends that patients eliminate the premanufactured and processed foods. For example, instead of buying boxed macaroni and cheese they recommend making homemade mac and cheese. The reason? You know what you are putting in homemade food. You may not recognize all of the additives and ingredients placed in packaged foods.

The IC Network also recommends keeping the diet simple and going organic whenever possible. Organic foods won’t have the pesticides and other chemicals on them that can irritate an IC patient’s bladder. This is the diet the IC Network recommends:

Meats
The IC Network says that you can eat any FRESH meat you would like, just do without the sauces (BBQ, steak). Instead of adding seasonings to the steak, saute mushrooms. Avoid processed and preserved meats.

Vegetables
Most vegetables should be okay with the exception of tomatoes and any tomato-based products. Asparagus can cause problems for IC patients.

Dairy
Milk and eggs are fine for the IC patient. Cheeses may be a different story. The IC Network recommends only eating MILD and FRESH cheeses. Examples include mozzarella, soft monterey jack or plain cottage cheese, farmers cheese, string cheese and small amounts of Parmesan cheese.

Breads
Preservative free breads made fresh at a local bakery or bread that you can make at home are an IC patient’s best choices. The reality is, however, an IC patient may not be physically up to making their own breads so if you have to purchase, buy plain wheat, white, rice or oat. Avoid sourdough and rye, as these may cause irritation.

Fruits
Most fruits are hard for IC patients to tolerate because they are acidic. Here is what the IC Network suggests for trying to eat fruits:

We suggest starting with pears and blueberries. If you do well with those, try a mild sweet apple (like Gala or Fuji) and just have a few slices to see how you feel. If you tolerate the apples well, try the tropical fruits of mango or papaya. If those sit well, try the melons like watermelon, canteloupe or honeydew. Please note, however, that melons do provoke symptoms for quite a few patients just, hopefully not you! Please avoid all citrus and be careful of citrus.

Desserts
My favorite part! Yum! Plain vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce are both IC friendly. Vanilla cookes and snickerdoodles are also IC friendly desserts. For those IC patients who like chocolate (Me!), there are carob candies that can be purchased. The IC Network recommends a carob candies made by Queen Bee Gardens.

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