Living with interstitial cystitis (IC) presents daily challenges, particularly in managing the condition through diet. The interstitial cystitis diet plays a crucial role in easing symptoms and improving the quality of life for those affected by this chronic condition. This comprehensive guide answers your questions about the IC diet, providing the information needed to make better dietary choices. Last Updated on July 25, 2024.
Understanding Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis, often abbreviated as IC, is a chronic condition that affects the bladder, involving recurring pain or discomfort in the pelvic region and bladder. Symptoms can vary from person to person but commonly include urinary urgency, frequency, and pressure. Managing IC involves various approaches, with diet playing a significant role in symptom management. Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition that is estimated to affect around nearly 3% of women and 2% of men in the United States (1).
People living with interstitial cystitis may consider it a painful and uncomfortable issue to deal with, as there is no single treatment or cure currently available (1). Therefore, many people turn to alternative treatments to ease symptoms of interstitial cystitis, including following an interstitial cystitis diet.
Interstitial cystitis is characterized by frequent urges to urinate and bladder or pelvic pain, pressure, and discomfort (1). Some research has found that certain foods may worsen symptoms of interstitial cystitis by altering the pH or potassium content of urine or activating pain receptors in the bladder (2, 3).
The Interstitial Cystitis Diet Explained
The IC diet, or interstitial cystitis diet, is a dietary approach that helps manage the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. The primary goal of the IC diet is to identify and eliminate foods and beverages that trigger bladder discomfort. By doing so, individuals can experience significant relief from their symptoms.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
Key Components of the IC Diet:
- Bladder-Friendly Foods: These are foods that are less likely to irritate the bladder and include most vegetables, certain fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains.
- Trigger Foods: Foods and beverages that can exacerbate IC symptoms, which need to be avoided or limited.
- Hydration: Staying well-hydrated is crucial, but it is essential to choose bladder-friendly fluids.
Why Diet Matters in Managing Interstitial Cystitis
Diet plays a vital role in managing interstitial cystitis because certain foods and beverages can irritate the bladder lining, leading to increased pain and discomfort. By following the IC diet, individuals can significantly reduce their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
Therefore, you can consider making adjustments to your diet that may help manage pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and the frequency of urination (3). However, certain foods may impact symptoms of interstitial cystitis differently for some people, meaning that it may take some trial and error to determine what works for you (4).
Therefore, it’s recommended to try an elimination diet for 1-2 weeks, which involves eliminating all foods that are possible triggers from your diet and slowly reintroducing them one at a time to evaluate which may cause symptoms for you (4). According to the Urology Care Foundation, using a food journal and adding one food back into your diet per day can help identify which ingredients your body can tolerate versus which ingredients may trigger bladder symptoms (4).
Foods to Avoid with Interstitial Cystitis
Knowing which foods to avoid is a cornerstone of the interstitial cystitis diet. Here are some common trigger foods to avoid with interstitial cystitis:
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
- Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits are highly acidic and can irritate the bladder.
- Tomatoes: Both fresh and processed tomatoes, including sauces and ketchup, are known to be problematic for many with IC.
- Spicy Foods: Hot peppers, curry, and other spicy dishes can cause bladder irritation.
- Caffeinated Beverages: Coffee, tea, and some sodas contain caffeine, which is a known bladder irritant.
- Alcohol: All forms of alcohol can worsen IC symptoms.
- Artificial Sweeteners: Sweeteners like aspartame can trigger bladder pain.
- Carbonated Drinks: Sodas and sparkling water can increase bladder discomfort.
- Chocolate: Contains caffeine and other bladder irritants.
Some foods are more likely to worsen symptoms of interstitial cystitis, including tomatoes, citrus fruits, coffee, and chocolate (4). On an interstitial cystitis diet, you should eliminate these foods from your diet for 1-2 weeks and add them back in gradually to determine which you are able to tolerate.
Here are some foods you might need to limit or avoid (5):
- Fruits: oranges, grapefruits, lemons, pineapples, strawberries
- Vegetables: tomatoes and tomato products, pickles, chili peppers, sauerkraut
- Processed sandwich meats: bologna, ham, salami, cold cuts
- Soy foods: tofu, tempeh, edamame, soy beans
- Dairy products: yogurt
- Chocolates: chocolate bars, chips, and candies
- Condiments: chili, horseradish, salad dressings, soy sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup
- Beverages: alcohol, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, juices (including orange, grapefruit, cranberry, and pineapple juice)
- Food additives: monosodium glutamate (MSG), artificial sweeteners
In addition to the ingredients listed above, you may also want to limit or avoid spicy foods, pizza, and certain types of cuisines - such as Thai, Indian, or Mexican food - to evaluate how these foods affect your symptoms.
Crafting the Best Diet for Interstitial Cystitis
The best diet for interstitial cystitis is one that is personalized to your specific triggers and needs. Here are some general guidelines for creating an effective interstitial cystitis diet:
Bladder-Friendly Foods
- Vegetables: Most vegetables are safe, but it is best to avoid those that are highly acidic or spicy.
- Fruits: Non-citrus fruits like blueberries, pears, and watermelon are generally well-tolerated.
- Lean Proteins: Chicken, turkey, and fish are excellent protein sources that are less likely to irritate the bladder.
- Whole Grains: Brown rice, oats, and quinoa are good carbohydrate choices.
- Dairy Products: Some people with IC can tolerate milk and cheese, but it is important to monitor your body’s response.
Fruits that are considered less bothersome, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Association of America (5): bananas, apricots, blueberries, dates, melons, prunes, pears, raisins
Read also: Weight Loss with Low-FODMAP
Vegetables that are considered less bothersome, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Association of America (5): avocados, asparagus, broccoli, beets, eggplant, peas, mushrooms, spinach
Grains that are considered less bothersome, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Association of America (5): oats, rice
Proteins that are considered less bothersome, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Association of America (5): beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish, eggs
Nuts that are considered less bothersome, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Association of America (5): walnuts, almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, pistachios
Nut butters that are considered less bothersome, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Association of America (5): peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower butter
Dairy that are considered less bothersome, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Association of America (5): low-fat and whole milk, mild cheeses
Herbs and spices that are considered less bothersome, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Association of America (5): rosemary, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme
Beverages that are considered less bothersome, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Association of America (5): water, grain-based coffee substitutes
According to the American Urological Association, a person with interstitial cystitis can include the following foods in their diet:
- Certain fruits: Avocados, bananas, blueberries, melons, pears, apricots, dates, prunes, and raisins.
- Some vegetables: Asparagus, celery, bell pepper, broccoli, beets, eggplant, peas, mushrooms, and spinach.
- Grains: Oats and rice.
- Proteins: Beef, eggs, pork, lamb, poultry, and fish.
- Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, cashews, macadamia nuts, and pistachios.
- Nut and seed butters: Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, and sunflower seed butter.
- Some dairy: Cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and low fat and nonfat milk.
- Herbs and spices: Basil, garlic, thyme, and rosemary.
- Beverages: Water, pear juice, blueberry juice, grain-based coffee substitutes, and chamomile or peppermint tea.
Hydration Tips
- Water: Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is crucial, so aim to consume at least eight glasses daily.
- Herbal Teas: Herbal teas that are caffeine-free can be hydrating and soothing.
- Avoid Trigger Beverages: Stay away from caffeinated, carbonated, and alcoholic drinks.
Meal Planning Tips
- Keep a Food Diary: Track what you eat and how your body responds. This will help identify specific triggers.
- Introduce New Foods Slowly: When trying new foods, add them one at a time to monitor for any adverse reactions.
- Balance Your Diet: Ensure you are getting a balanced intake of nutrients from various food groups.
The Elimination Diet: A Step-by-Step Guide
To identify potentially bothersome foods and beverages you must strictly follow the elimination diet and your plan exactly as designed during these four weeks. You cannot make any exceptions. Eating even one trigger food (sneaking a cup of coffee, or sharing a few sips of alcohol, for example) may affect the outcome of the elimination diet. If you currently consume caffeinated drinks, you may experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms when you eliminate these beverages.
The reintroduction phase of the elimination diet may take several months. For the best results, follow this step exactly. Also, if you have a history of severe bladder flares, talk with your doctor before adding potential trigger items back into your diet. For the elimination diet, make a list of the foods you think cause your bladder to flare. Add to that list the items that are most bothersome for those with IC/BPS. Some of the items on your “Foods to Restrict” list may be things you used to consume regularly. Think about potential alternative options to eat and drink during the elimination diet. Don’t expect your symptoms to improve right away. It can take weeks for bladder flares, associated with specific foods and beverages, to calm after starting the elimination diet. After one month of bladder-friendly foods, slowly reintroduce the foods and beverages you restricted. The goal is to be able to tell if that specific item is a problem. How quickly a food or beverage may cause a flare varies. Some individuals note that symptoms appear within a few minutes of eating. Add back one item at a time. For each item go slowly, using the following three-day approach. If you want to retest a problem item, you can try it again. Based on the outcome of the elimination diet, you may find it helpful to revise recipes, as needed, to eliminate trigger items. Also, bring your list of trigger foods with you when you go grocery shopping. Read food labels and check for bothersome ingredients before you purchase.
Benefits of Following an Interstitial Cystitis Diet
According to one review, consuming certain foods or beverages that may worsen interstitial cystitis could cause symptoms within just 2-4 hours (6). Therefore, following an interstitial cystitis diet could be beneficial for alleviating symptoms like bladder or pelvic pain and discomfort.
One study found that removing several common trigger foods from the diet - including soy, tomatoes, spicy foods, and citrus - was able to alleviate symptoms of interstitial cystitis after three months. This elimination diet still proved effective at least one year later (7).
Additionally, a study in 2,101 people with interstitial cystitis found that around 45% of those who had tried dietary modifications reported that it controlled their symptoms “pretty well,” making it one of the most effective complementary treatments available (8).
Another older study had similar findings, reporting that approximately 90% of people surveyed indicated that consuming certain foods or beverages exacerbated symptoms of interstitial cystitis (9).
While these results suggest that an interstitial cystitis diet could be beneficial for some people, more research is needed on its long-term effectiveness.
Potential Downsides of the IC Diet
The interstitial cystitis diet may be difficult to follow for some people, depending on what your current diet looks like. It also eliminates many nutrient-dense foods, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, soy products, and fermented vegetables.
Some people may also have to avoid soy-based protein sources like tofu, tempeh, and edamame, which may make it more challenging for vegans and vegetarians to meet their nutritional needs.
However, keep in mind that these foods are only temporarily eliminated from your diet and may be able to be reintroduced, depending on whether or not they worsen symptoms for you.
Additionally, note that dietary modifications may not control symptoms completely for everyone and other lifestyle changes, such as managing stress levels or regular physical therapy, may also be beneficial (4). In some cases, other methods of treatment might also be recommended by your healthcare provider, such as prescription medications, neuromodulation therapy, injections, or even surgery (4).
Sample Menu for an Interstitial Cystitis Diet
On an interstitial cystitis diet, a sample menu could include the following:
- Breakfast:
- Omelette with mushrooms and spinach
- Oatmeal with bananas, nut butter, and blueberries
- Avocado toast with hard-boiled egg
- Lunch:
- Rice, asparagus, and baked salmon
- Brown rice, grilled chicken, and broccoli
- Wrap with cream cheese, chicken, avocado, and spinach
- Dinner:
- Pork chops with mashed potatoes and green beans
- Tuna salad sandwiches
- Stuffed bell peppers with ground beef
- Snacks:
- Sliced apple with peanut butter
- Celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins
- Almonds with low fat cheese
Additional Tips for Managing IC
Beyond food, there are other complications that may cause IC symptoms such as sleep, stress, menstruation, and other lifestyle habits and patterns. Keeping track of these patterns may be beneficial to determine what else may be contributing to your symptoms. Diet alone will not solve the problem and there is no known cure for Interstitial Cystitis.
Quick Synopsis: Foods to avoid for Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
A complete list of foods is included, but here is the short and sweet version.
- Carbonated and alcoholic beverages
- Spicy foods
If you feel you have to have a food item you know will cause a problem use “Prelief”. Prelief is an over the counter neutralizer that if taken 30 minutes before eating can help to decrease the occurrence of pain.
General Recommendations for the Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Diet
A complete list of foods - with both bladder friendly foods and foods to avoid - is in the downloadable PDF. This list is supplied as a quick reference.
IC Diet: Bladder Friendly Foods
- Beverages: Plain water, blueberry or pear juice, milk, milk substitutes (almond milk, rice milk, Lactaid), vanilla milkshake, peppermint or chamomile tea, non-dairy creamers (some), non-alcoholic eggnog
- Dairy: Cheese (American, mozzarella, mild cheddar, feta, ricotta, string cheese), cottage cheese, cream cheese, ice cream (some), milk, milk substitutes (almond milk, rice milk, Lactaid), sherbet (no citrus or chocolate flavors), vanilla Rice Dream dessert, whipped cream (from dairy, Cool Whip, Dream Whip)
- Meats, Fish, Poultry, & Protein: Eggs, chicken, turkey, fish, beef, seafood (clams, un-canned crab meat, lobster, shrimp), lamb, pork, protein powder (whey, egg whites), veal, liver (beef or chicken)
- Vegetables: Asparagus, avocado, beans (black eyed peas, garbanzo, lentils, pinto, white, most dried beans), beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chives, corn, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, greens (collard greens, kale, mustard greens, okra, swiss chard, spinach, bok choy), lettuce (and most salad greens), mushrooms, black olives, parsley, peas (green, snow peas, split peas), bell pepper (yellow, orange, red), potatoes (white, yams), pumpkin, radishes, rhubarb, rutabaga, squash (summer, winter, zucchini), turnips
- Fruits: Apples (Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady), applesauce (from apple varieties noted), blueberries, coconut (without preservatives), dates (without preservatives), pears, rhubarb, watermelon
- Grains: Breads (cornbread, oatbread, pita, potato bread, white bread, Italian sweet bread, whole wheat bread), cereals (most cereals without problem ingredients), oat cereal, rice cereal, crackers (matzo), grains (couscous, grits, millet, quinoa, spelt), flour (buckwheat, wheat), pasta, rice
- Soups: Homemade soup & stock (from okay meats and vegetables)
- Sweets & Desserts: Blueberries, cake (homemade pound cake, homemade white/yellow cake, angel food cake, carrot cake), frostings (homemade vanilla frosting, homemade caramel frosting, carob, whipped cream), carob (chocolate substitute), cookies (oatmeal, shortbread, sugar), muffins (carrot), cheesecake, crème brule, custards, pie (custard, cream pie, homemade apple pie made with safe apples, pumpkin pie), divinity (nougat made with egg white, corn syrup and sugar), sweet breads (homemade zucchini bread), pastries (plain, almond, pear), peppermint or vanilla ice cream, pudding (tapioca, vanilla, rice), milkshake (vanilla), sweeteners (brown sugar, honey, sugar, maple syrup)
- Snacks: Almonds, carrots, celery, plain chips (corn, potato, crackers (soda or soup), fruit bars (blueberry or pear), milkshake (vanilla), oatmeal bars, peanuts, peanut butter, popcorn, plain pretzels
- ABOUT Preservatives: Avoid: Benzyl alcohol, citric acid, MSG, NutraSweet, saccharin. Any food with preservatives and artificial ingredients or colors.
Tips for dining out:
Eating out can be difficult for individuals with IC since it is hard to know what ingredients are being added. That does not mean you are out of luck. Plan-ahead by checking out the menu. Do not be afraid to ask for modifications. Example: Choose “no seasoning” on a burger
For social events, prepare a dish that is safe for you and bring to share with everyone!
Dietary Considerations for Newly Diagnosed Individuals
If you are newly diagnosed and your bladder symptoms are raging, you may be in so much discomfort that you simply can’t tell if foods irritate your bladder. Diet modification is a critical first step in gaining control over your symptoms. Ask yourself “would you pour coffee on an open wound on your hand?” The answer, of course, is “no.” Then how can you justify pouring acid on a wound in your bladder? For the next three to six months, you should be modifying your diet to give your bladder wall an opportunity to calm down and, ideally, heal. One week or two weeks is not long enough. It takes weeks if not months for the bladder to have an opportunity to heal as well as for inflammation to be reduced. So, using the IC Food Lists for one or two weeks is simply not long enough. Start with the foods that research studies have determined to be either the “more bothersome” and “less bothersome” foods for IC patients.
The 2025 ICN Food List
When you’re ready to expand your diet, the ICN Food List will help you choose foods that may be more bladder friendly. This diet list replaces old, outdated lists. The 2025 ICN Food list is the most current and combines information from patients and research studies into a comprehensive, alphabetized list of foods, offering bladder friendly, try it and caution variations of foods. A major goal of this document is to provide a list of foods for those patients who find themselves confused and/or afraid to eat.
Sample Menus
These sample menus are not a strict dietary guide. Given that food sensitivities vary among those with IC/BPS, some of the sample meals may not reflect your individual triggers. Also, we all have foods we like and don’t like.
- TIP: For variety, substitute a starchy vegetable such as potatoes for a grain serving.
- TIP: Skip the mayo. Instead, mash an avocado and spread it on sandwich bread.
- TIP: Leafy greens are full of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.
- TIP: Rice milk is a grain beverage made from brown rice. It offers an alternative to those who are lactose intolerant or sensitive to soy products.
- TIP: Cook up some extra servings at dinner time and package them for lunch.
- TIP: Tuna is a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids, which help to combat inflammation.
- TIP: Legumes, like beans, peas, and lentils, are nutrition super-foods, high in vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, and fiber.
- TIP: Salmon is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, and onions are rich in antioxidants. Raw onions, however, may make you feel bloated, which can trigger IC symptoms.
- TIP: Broccoli has lots of vitamins/ minerals and phytochemicals.
- TIP: Milk is a great source of vitamin D.
The Importance of Well-Balanced Meals
Well-balanced meals give you all of the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals needed for good health. Eat them regularly and you may have room in your diet for “discretionary” calories. Foods with no nutritional value other than calories are discretionary. These foods may satisfy your sweet or salty tooth. They are fine in small portions. But, in large amounts, they can lead to trouble. Junk foods contain compounds that fuel inflammation leading to chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and cancer….maybe even IC/BPS. So, moderation is the key. There is no such thing as a ‘bad’ food, but eating too many foods high in saturated fats, sugar, and salt can lead to health issues. In addition, these calorie-laden foods rarely contain the fiber needed to help prevent constipation. Remember, as an occasional treat, discretionary calories are fine….just don’t overdo!
The Role of Anti-Inflammatory Foods
2022 research indicates that an anti-inflammatory diet may help those with interstitial cystitis. This could include foods low in saturated fats and rich in vitamins. Other research from the Interstitial Cystitis Association links flare-ups to trigger foods such as artificial sweeteners, spicy foods, and coffee.
When to Contact a Healthcare Professional
If symptoms do not improve after making dietary changes to manage the condition, a person should contact a healthcare professional. Also, a person should speak with a healthcare professional immediately if they experience any of the following symptoms: chronic pelvic pain, vaginal pain, testicular pain, frequent urination during the day and night.
FAQs about Diet for Interstitial Cystitis
- Can exercise help with interstitial cystitis? Exercise can be beneficial for overall health and stress reduction, which may indirectly help with IC symptoms. However, it is important to choose low-impact activities and listen to your body.
- What should I do if I accidentally consume trigger food? If you accidentally consume trigger food, drink plenty of water to help flush your system. Taking a bladder-friendly supplement may also help neutralize the acid. Monitor your symptoms and avoid the trigger food in the future.
- What is the best diet for interstitial cystitis? The best diet for interstitial cystitis consists of anti-inflammatory foods such as avocado, bananas, broccoli and whole grains such as oats and rice. Avoid spicy foods, citrus fruits, and coffee or carbonated beverages.
- What can calm interstitial cystitis? Treating interstitial cystitis involves medications for pain, bladder installations to pass medication directly into the bladder, and therapies such as physical therapy and counselling.
- What nutrients are best to limit and avoid? It is best to avoid foods high in acidity, such as citrus fruits. Other foods to avoid include spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and foods with monosodium glutamate (MSG).
tags: #interstitial #cystitis #diet #cheat #sheet