The IC-Smart Diet - Read more about foods, listed, elmiron, beverages, contain and tomatoes.

In this post, I will dive into the myth that you should follow the IC diet for an indefinite period of time. I will provide a history of the Interstitial Cystitis (IC) diet and what steps you can take to identify your dietary triggers.I vividly remember sitting in my urogynecologist's office years ago being told that I should “cut out” items from my diet such as coffee, alcohol, citrus, chocolate, and artificial sweeteners, among many other things.My doctor told me, “this is the IC diet, and you

Looking for a diet to help with interstitial cystitis? Check out this page for information on what to eat (and what to avoid) to help ease your symptoms.

How to get relief from bladder spasms related to interstitial cystitis

Ever wonder what is actually causing your Interstitial Cystitis flare? Are you living in constant fear/worry that you will eat something or do something that will cause your symptoms to flare?First, let’s review what a bladder flare is. It is considered a “period of extreme pain with increased urinary frequency/urgency across several days or weeks”, or simply, a “sudden increased intensity of symptoms. There are many theories as to what causes bladder flares. Here are the four leading theories a

Now that we’ve established what Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is in my previous blog post, I want to elaborate more about the recommended diet for IC. Why do I have to follow a special diet at all? You may ask. Well, remember, IC is a condition that can affect the lining of the bladder wall, making it more sensitive to changes in the pH of the urine. Think of it like this: have you ever gone to cut a lemon or a lime and forgot you had a cut on your finger? Lots of burning, throbbing pain will resul

Our health begins in our gut; our gut's ability to break down food affects every aspect of our wellness. Learn how I healed my IC with diet and supplements.

Everyone wants an IC grocery shopping list. Well, I couldn’t come up with one that would satisfy everyone, but I do have these recommendations for the top 15 healthiest choices. FRIDGE: Eggs – Try Ome

The interstitial cystitis diet protocol is designed to support healing of the bladder wall for people suffering from interstitial cystitis.

Released in Spring 2015, the IC Chef Cookbook offers more than 260 bladder and prostate friendly recipes for patients struggling with interstitial cystitis

I am often asked whether a person with interstitial cystitis can create a meal plan on a vegan diet. I always hesitate to answer because a vegan diet is challenging enough without the additional restrictions of another special diet like that for IC, but I will try here. Keep in mind, not all vegetarian diets are the same. Just to get everyone on the same page, here are some definitions that can help: Vegetarian diets in general do not include meat, poultry, or fish, although some people who eat vegetarian meals may include fish occasionally. The term "vegetarian" is fairly generic and doesn't describe whether or not a person consumes other animal products such as milk or eggs. Lacto-ovo vegetarian diets avoid all meats, but DO include milk and eggs. You may also hear of people who will only use milk products but not eggs (lacto vegetarian), or eggs but not milk products (ovo vegetarian). Vegan diets don't include any animal products at all and, by nature, are the most restrictive and difficult to balance nutritionally. There is some debate whether products created by animals (like honey) should be included in a vegan diet. In addition to various religious restrictions, many people consume a vegetarian diet for the advertised health benefits of higher fiber, and anti-oxidant consumption, and lower saturated fat. Which Vegetarian Diet Works for You? I don't usually recommend a strictly vegan diet for people with IC unless there is a strong religious or personal moral conviction against eating meat or other animal products. Besides the fact that foods that are generally a staple of a vegan diet like soy (including edamame, soy milk, and tofu), tomatoes, citrus fruits, and some legumes (fava and lima beans) can increase interstitial cystitis symptoms, many IC patients find that a consuming high quality protein each day helps them feel better. Therefore, a good compromise to a vegan diet might be a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet. People with interstitial cystitis generally find that eggs are soothing when they are in a flare, and also, many feel that vanilla milk shakes, warm milk with vanilla, or cottage cheese are soothing foods. Try adding egg white protein or whey protein to shakes and smoothies. You could also consider including fish one or two times a week. Some choose organic sources of eggs and milk/milk products to minimize exposure to hormones, steroids, and other chemicals that could stimulate your IC symptoms. If you choose not to consume any animal products at all, it becomes essential to "complete" your protein intake by consuming the various types of plant based foods each day. A good rule of thumb is to include something from each of the amino acid rich plant groups each day: vegetables, legumes, grains, and nuts/seeds. Each of these food groups supplies a different set of "essential amino acids." Combining these essential amino acids helps ensure that you are getting the most protein possible out of a vegan diet. Julie Beyer, MA, RDN Author, Speaker, Patient Advocate www.ic-diet.com Helping Yourself Is the First Step to Getting Well For step by step guidance for creating your own personal interstitial cystitis meal plan, see: Confident Choices®: Customizing the Interstitial Cystitis Diet. For some basic, family-style, IC bladder-friendly recipes, see: Confident Choices®: A Cookbook for Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder For health care workers: Interstitial Cystitis: A Guide for Nutrition Educators

This is a transcribed episode from my podcast, IC You. Click here to listen to the episode.IntroductionToday I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about diet and Interstitial Cystitis (IC). You know, this is what I do. I am a registered dietician and I got into this field because I'm good at nutrition and this is the only thing I was good at in college. I was actually an occupational therapy major before. I was doing well in my nutrition 101 class and then also I wanted to help people with [0

An interstitial cystitis diet can fight inflammation and avoid foods that can contribute to flare-ups. Here’s a list of what helps and hurts, plus supplements.

The ICN is pleased to release a new series of Fact Sheets for 2014 for patients and care providers discussing basic IC facts, the new AUA treatment protocol, the IC diet and food triggers as well as IC flares and common flare triggers! These are available at no cost to patients through our website.

In search of a reliable aid for interstitial cystitis, you may have overlooked the supplements you should avoid. In this article, you will learn about supplements you should avoid and take to treat IC.

One thing I always tell my patients is that living with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome is more tolerable if you have good problem solving skills. Sure, it is easy to end up depressed and frustrated, especially about food, if all you do is concentrate on the “do nots” and “cannots.” But, if you look at your treatments and diet with curiosity and an eye for substitution, you will feel better about yourself and your choices! For example, IC patients often grumble that they can’t have ethnic foods. This fact has not been lost on researchers who repeatedly mention Indian, Chinese, and Mexican cuisines as contributing to bladder pain and other symptoms. Now, just so you know, I have a beautiful, multi-cultural family. My son-in-law is Korean, my daughter-in-law is Indian, my niece is African, and my nephew and cousin are Mexican. So, frankly, I think throwing entire cultures under the bus is ludicrous and irresponsible of the researchers. But instead of complaining about this, I have decided to put on my problem solving hat. What are recipes anyway? Just different combinations of various ingredients, right? So, all we have to do is look at the list of foods that are common in a culture, keep the ones that are bladder friendly, and switch out those that can be problematic. Let’s take a look at Mexican food. Instead of bemoaning the fact that we can’t have jalapeños and chili seasoning, let’s concentrate on the fresh and fun elements of our favorite recipes from south of the border! Meat: Consuming high quality protein is an important element of a healthy, IC friendly diet. It isn’t the meat in Mexican food that is the problem, but how you season it. Options include ground and grilled meats (beef, chicken, turkey, pork), grilled or poached seafood (try tilapia, cat fish, shrimp, or crab meat), and eggs. Are you cooking for your family? Simply separate your portion from the rest before adding problem ingredients. Tortillas: Both corn and flour tortillas are generally well tolerated by IC/BPS patients. To help fold these traditional unleavened breads into tacos, burritos, fajitas, and enchiladas, heat briefly in a microwave or on a skillet. Don’t be concerned about the “lime” you find in the ingredient list of some tortillas. This lime is not citrus, but rather the common name of calcium hydroxide, an alkaline substance added to the water to help shell the corn kernels used to make corn tortillas. You may even see it as an ingredient on flour tortillas. Cheese: Various cheeses are used in both traditional and Americanized Mexican foods. Cheddar, Monterey jack, cream cheese, and crema (a saltier version of sour cream) are all great toppings for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and salads. Vegetables: Onions, colorful sweet bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, corn, and leafy vegetables are a great way to add flavor, fun, and nutrition to your Mexican-inspired dishes! Cut vegetables into small bits and add to ground meat to add in tacos and burritos, or sprinkle vegetable slices with olive oil and coarse salt then grill or roast in the oven to caramelize them, releasing the best flavors. This is a great use of “less than perfect” produce! Avocados: Did you know that traditional guacamole only has avocado, salt, and a bit of pepper? You do not need to add tomatoes, chili peppers, or onions to enjoy this fantastically healthy dip for tortilla chips! If you want to add a little variety, combine with chopped, sweet red peppers and a spoonful of sour cream. Yum! Beans: Pinto beans are used frequently in Mexican recipes. High in soluble fiber and protein, these versatile ingredients can even be used as meat substitutes in many dishes! When buying canned beans, read the ingredients carefully. Some contain a high amount of added fat and even jalapeños. Please note that black beans may be more irritating than pinto or pinquito beans. Seasonings: Many traditional Mexican seasonings are actually well tolerated by IC/PBS patients. Common ingredients to try include garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Paprika, cinnamon, and cumin are also commonly used in Mexican dishes, but start with a small amount to be sure they do not bother you. “Maybe” Ingredients: Tomatoes: Keep in mind that a eating a slice of tomato is much different than consuming a cup of tomato sauce which may include the equivalent of two or three whole tomatoes. If your bladder is in a good place, you may want to try a tablespoon or two or chopped tomatoes as a garnish on your taco or fajita. Don’t forget that yellow tomatoes, homegrown versions, and heirloom tomatoes are often less acidic and may give you the taste you are looking for with less bladder “ouch.” Limes: Are you surprised to see a citrus food on this list? Certainly you don’t want to use the juice of a whole lime to season your meat, but adding a few drops to your guacamole may be ok. Lime zest (grated peel) can also add a lot of flavor without triggering your painful bladder symptoms. Of course, taking Prelief before a meal may allow you to eat potential trigger foods like tomatoes, lime juice, or other acidic foods Soft Chicken Tacos with Roasted Red Pepper and Corn Salsa (makes 6) Ingredients 1 T. olive oil ½ c. chopped onion 1 garlic clove, peeled and chopped (optional, as tolerated) ½ c. chopped roasted sweet red pepper 1 ½ c. cooked, shredded chicken (may substitute ground meat) ½ t. cumin ½ t. paprika 1 t. chopped oregano Salt and pepper to taste ½ c. roasted sweet red pepper, chopped and chilled ½ c. corn (for more flavor, use kernels from grilled corn on the cob. Chill before using.) ½ c. canned black beans, drained and rinsed ½ c. cubed cucumber ¼ c. chopped onion (if tolerated) 2 t. pear juice 1 t. olive oil 1 t. chopped cilantro ¼ t. lime zest 1 t. chopped oregano 6 small corn or flour soft tortillas Lettuce Cheese 1 avocado cut into slices Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add first ½ c. onions, garlic, and first ½ c. red peppers, cooking until slightly browned and caramelized. Add shredded chicken, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper and heat until cooked through. While meat mixture is heating, combine second ½ c. red pepper, corn, black beans, cucumbers, second ½ c. onions, pear juice, oil, cilantro, lime zest, and oregano to make salsa. To warm and soften tortillas, place two between paper towels and heat for 20 seconds in the microwave. Fill with meat mixture. Top with lettuce, cheese, salsa, and avocado slices. Enjoy! Julie Beyer, MA, RDN Author, Speaker, Patient Advocate www.ic-diet.com Need Some Guidance? Want More Recipes? For step by step guidance for creating your own personal interstitial cystitis meal plan, see: Confident Choices®: Customizing the Interstitial Cystitis Diet. For some basic, family-style, IC bladder-friendly recipes, see: Confident Choices®: A Cookbook for Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder For health care workers: Interstitial Cystitis: A Guide for Nutrition Educators

The ICN is pleased to release a new series of Fact Sheets for 2014 for patients and care providers discussing basic IC facts, the new AUA treatment protocol, the IC diet and food triggers as well as IC flares and common flare triggers! These are available at no cost to patients through our website.

Whether you're new to IC or an IC veteran, finding IC-friendly recipes can be difficult. You'll find that once you're diagnosed and told about the IC diet, you'll go to the grocery store and find that food companies LOVE to hide problematic ingredients in their food. Things like soy, vinegar, and citric acid are just a few ingredients that you can find anywhere in the ingredient list on a food label. Here are 8 IC-friendly swaps and a variety of recipes that you can try while conducting an elimi

Have you ruled out diet as a cause of your IC symptoms?

This is a transcribed version of Episode 25 of the IC You Podcast. Listen to this episode here. I edited it to make it a bit more user-friendly.IntroductionDo you ever wonder if diet is causing your interstitial cystitis flare ups, or if it's something else?Today I wanted to talk about some non-diet related triggers in relation to IC. What we know is that about 90% of people with IC have an extent of diet sensitivity. The thing is that there is likely at least one other trigger outside of diet