Importance of Nutrition
What we put into our bodies affects many systems, including our urinary track. Different foods can hinder or help us stay in control.
Here are some dietary triggers for the bladder.
Caffeine is a strong diuretic (it causes the body to excrete water and it’s a dehydrator). And the acidic effect of tea or coffee – even decaffeinated varieties — can be hostile to your bladder.
Carbonated sodas are also on the no-thanks list, as are all drinks with artificial sweeteners. Most fizzy and cola-type drinks, including the “diet” sodas irritate your bladder, causing it to feel the urge to urinate more often, more strongly, or both. The same goes for orange and tomato juice, because they are acidic.
Cranberry juice is a good cop and a bad cop in one. Its acidic nature reduces bacteria and the risk of a bladder infection. But the same acidic quality can be a major irritant to an overactive bladder.
Foods that are acidic, spicy, or sweet (we know, all our favorite things!) are potential dietary triggers of incontinence.
Other culinary culprits include ketchup, red pasta sauce, chilies, vinegar, mayonnaise, soy sauce, and most salad dressings.
Does this mean you can’t eat or drink these things? No, remember the word “potential”. Our job is not to dictate your choices, but to elevate your mindfulness around what you put in your mouth and how it affects the control of what comes out of your body. Also, everyone’s body is different. What makes one woman’s bladder edgy can leave another one’s relaxed. You need to dial into your body and judge how it reacts to what you put in your mouth. Then you can make the choice about cutting out, cutting down or substituting.
There are lots of bladder-friendly foods, such as olive oil and garlic. Bananas, cherries, grapefruit, and peaches are fine. Onions, bread, pasta, potatoes, beef, fish, rice, poultry, cauliflower, and mushrooms all get the bladder’s approval.
A Word on Water
Don’t overhydrate or underhydrate. Your body may not need 8 glasses of water a day. The rule is to check the color of your urine. If you see clear, straw-colored urine, you’re well-hydrated. Urine that is too light means that you’ve overhydrated, and urine that is too dark or has a strong smell means that you haven’t hydrated enough and the urine is too concentrated (which can really irritate the bladder).
