Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS) is a chronic health condition that causes pain and pressure in the bladder and pelvic area. It can cause an urgent need to urinate, a frequent need to urinate, or both.
Although PBS cannot be cured, it can be treated. Researchers have found there are dietary changes you can make to help manage and avoid flare-ups. Below are just a few examples of foods/beverages that are friendly for such patients and those that are not:
Fruits
Avoid - Lemons, limes, oranges, strawberries, pineapple, kiwi fruit
Vegetables
Avoid - Chili peppers, onions, tomato products, pickles
Milk/Dairy
Avoid - Chocolate ice cream, processed cheeses, soya products, yogurt (lemon, lime, orange or chocolate)
Beverages
Avoid - Alcohol, chocolate milkshake, coffee, cranberry juice, soda, tea (regular, green, herbal, iced) tomato juice, sports drinks
ICN Food List
If you need help selecting bladder-friendly foods, there's an app for that. The ICN Food List, available for Android and iPhone, provides a reference guide you can use while shopping and eating out. The app contains a database with foods divided into three categories: bladder-friendly foods, foods worth trying cautiously and foods to avoid.
Happy eating, and have a healthy bladder!