Foods to Avoid During a Painful Urinary Tract Infection | Bladder Infection Diet

Understanding UTIs and What Causes Them

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections that affect the urinary system. They occur when bacteria, often from the gastrointestinal tract, make their way into the urethra and bladder. UTIs can be extremely uncomfortable and painful. Typical symptoms include a frequent and intense urge to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, cloudy, bloody or foul-smelling urine, pelvic pain or pressure, and fever or chills in some cases.

What Factors Contribute to UTIs

There are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing a UTI, including:

• Being female - women have a shorter urethra making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder
• Being sexually active
• Using certain types of birth control like diaphragms or spermicides
• Going through menopause
• Having blockages or obstructions that prevent the bladder from fully emptying
• Having a suppressed immune system
• Having structural abnormalities in the urinary tract

Foods and Drinks That Can Irritate the Bladder

While UTIs are caused by bacterial infection, certain foods and drinks can irritate the bladder which exacerbates UTI symptoms. These include:

• Alcohol
• Caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and sodas
• Carbonated drinks
• Artificial sweeteners like aspartame
• Spicy foods
• Tomato-based products
• Naturally acidic foods like citrus fruits and juices
• Sugar and honey
• Chocolate

10 Foods to Avoid During a UTI

When you’re experiencing the painful symptoms of a UTI, the last thing you want is to make matters worse. Paying attention to your diet and avoiding bladder irritants can help ease discomfort. Here are 10 foods doctors recommend avoiding during a UTI.

1. Alcohol

Alcohol acts as both an irritant and a diuretic, meaning it stimulates urination. This can be extremely uncomfortable when you already feel a near-constant urge to pee. All types of alcohol, including wine, beer, cocktails, and liquor can exacerbate UTI symptoms.

2. Carbonated drinks

Fizzy drinks like soda and sparkling water contain carbonation that can further irritate the inflamed bladder tissue during a UTI. Avoid drinking carbonated sodas and mineral water to help ease painful urinary symptoms.

3. Coffee and tea

Caffeinated beverages function as diuretics, increasing bladder irritation and pressure. Coffee, black tea, green tea and iced tea can worsen UTI symptoms. Limit or avoid caffeine while allowing your body to heal.

4. Tomato products

Tomatoes and tomato-based products like pasta sauce, salsa, chili, ketchup, tomato juice, pizza sauce, and V8 can trigger bladder discomfort due to high acid content. Steer clear of these items until your infection has cleared.

5. Citrus fruits

Oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit and other citrus fruits and juices contain citric acid that burns the inflamed lining of the bladder when you urinate, worsening that constant feeling of needing to pee. It’s best to avoid citrus altogether rather than risk irritation and pain.

6. Spicy foods

Foods containing hot spices, especially those with capsaicin including hot sauce, chili peppers, chili powder, pepper flakes, curries and Cajun spice blends can be absolute torture on an already inflamed urethra and bladder. Avoid eating spicy foods until your UTI has resolved.

7. Sugar and honey

Recent research indicates that added sugars feed the bacteria responsible for UTIs, allowing them to proliferate and sustain infection. Avoid added sugar like soda, candy, ice cream, sugary cereals, and limit natural sugars like honey as well.

8. Chocolate

Chocolates, especially darker varieties, contain caffeine and historically have been discouraged for those prone to UTIs. Consider cutting out chocolate until your current infection clears up and symptoms resolve.

9. Alcohol-laden foods

Avoid foods that contain alcohol including vanilla extract, wine vinegar, some marinades, and alcohol-based flavorings. While many cook off during preparation, even trace amounts of alcohol can be an irritant.

10. Glutenous grains

Some research indicates that women experience more UTIs when following a gluten-heavy diet. Limiting bread, pasta, crackers, baked goods, cereal, barley, rye and wheat may help prevent infection and speed healing.

Lifestyle Changes That Can Prevent UTIs

Making certain lifestyle modifications can help prevent painful UTI recurrences. Here are some key things doctors recommend to keep your urinary system healthy and infection-free.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking more fluids helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract before infection can set in. Aim for at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of non-irritating liquids like water and herbal tea each day.

Urinate When You Feel The Urge

Holding urine in your bladder creates an environment perfect for bacterial overgrowth. Pee as soon as you feel the need instead of waiting which can prevent UTIs.

Wipe Front To Back

Wiping from back to front can introduce gastrointestinal bacteria towards the urethra. Always wipe front to back after using the bathroom to avoid bacterial transfer to the urinary tract.

Practice Safe Sex

Using condoms and urinating before and after intercourse can reduce exposure to bacteria that enter the urinary tract during sex and heighten UTI risks.

Consider Probiotics

Probiotic supplements containing healthy bladder bacteria may make it harder for UTI-causing bacteria to survive and multiply in the urinary tract. Talk to your doctor about probiotic options.

Making smart dietary choices and avoiding known bladder irritants can provide symptom relief allowing your body to effectively resolve infection faster. Speak with your physician about any lingering discomfort or recurrent UTI issues.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.