Interstitial Cystitis Advice

Of all the categories of food, it is perhaps fruit where many ICers have to eliminate the highest number of choices. The acidity and other factors in most fruits make them too difficult for IC bladders to tolerate with out a flare in symptoms. Fruits like cranberries, all cirrus, peaches; apricots, (for some ICers) grapes, nectarines, most tropical fruits, and pineapple are probably best to be avoided all together. But there is hope! Try making recipes (or eating them on there own) with blueberries, blackberries, pears, dates, and most melons (except cantaloupe) are widely acceptable with little or no problems for most ICers. As well you may be able to tolerate limited amounts of fruits like apples (Fuji has a good IC record), bananas (watch out though the potassium can be a bladder irritant), currents, coconut, lychees, custard apples and Maraschino cherries. When it comes to jams, jellies, and preserves the repertoire of bladder friendly jams (and the like) is considerably small for most people, but there are still options available. Try to find jams with as few preservatives as possible, and those that are sweetened with made with grape juice as opposed to (the very common) lemon juice. When making jams and preserves (fruit or veggie) at home always thoroughly wash your produce, select pure sugars, and try to use as little acidity as can you. While you’ll most likely want to avoid those with fruits like citrus, pineapple, most berries, cherries, nectarines, and peaches you can find alternatives. Pears, blueberries, blackberries and apricots are all fruits that many report having good luck with in the jam department Pickled vegetable, fruits, and other products are best avoided due to the acidity of vinegar, as well as a number of other products used in canning (such as high volumes of pepper corns, cloves and salt). Whether fresh or cooked, baked in a pie, or served over ice cream try to incorporate as much bladder friendly fruit into your diet as possible.