Foods To Eat and What To Avoid When You Have A Urinary Tract Disease

December 14, 2022

Urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms include a burning sensation, abdominal pain, and cloudy urine. Although a portion of your urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, can be affected by this painful infection, the lower urinary tract is the site of most UTIs (specifically, the bladder).

Aside from being uncomfortable, a UTI’s excruciating symptoms can also be harmful and, if the infection spreads to the kidneys, have life-threatening effects.

In addition to adhering to a professional treatment plan, there are several methods you may be able to relieve UTI symptoms. The first step to feeling better is to consult a certified professional urologist. The second is to be conscious of the food you intake. So here are foods to eat and what to avoid when you have a urinary tract disease.

How to treat UTI?

Everyone hates having urinary infections. And if untreated, the symptoms may get worse over time. Don’t suffer in silence if you believe you have a UTI and are displaying signs and symptoms.

Antibiotics are usually prescribed by doctors to treat UTIs. Along with adhering to your doctor’s treatment plan, managing your painful UTI symptoms and hastening the healing process at home can be done by following a particular diet. In consideration, we have created a helpful guide on what to eat, drink and avoid when suffering from a UTI.

What are the foods you can eat when you have UTI?

You may want to consider eating the following foods to recover from a UTI as quickly as possible:

  • Berries – Eating cranberries, blueberries, and raspberries help ward off a UTI. But specialists are continuously studying their efficacy. They contain proanthocyanidin, which has been shown to prevent bacteria from clinging to the urinary tract barrier and generating bacterial infection.
  • Foods high in probiotics – Consider incorporating foods like pickles, kimchi, and plain yogurt in your diet since these contain beneficial bacteria that can help fight infections.
  • Fiber-rich foods – Bananas, soybeans, peas, almonds, oats, and other whole grains are fiber-rich foods that can remove unwanted bacteria from your body. Additionally, they promote regular bowel motions, which may lessen some bladder strain.
  • Salmon – Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish, can aid in reducing inflammation brought on by a UTI. Fish oil pills are a good alternative for those who don’t consume fish. However, before introducing any supplements to your diet, always consult your physician.

What to drink when you have UTI?

Consuming pure cranberry juice, cranberry extracts, or cranberry capsules may help lower the incidence of recurring UTIs, according to several clinical trials (mostly on women). However, there isn’t much to gain from cranberry juice for a UTI.

What should you consume to treat a UTI? The best beverage for someone with a UTI is water, without a doubt. While you have an infection, drinking a minimum of 12 8-ounce cups of water a day will help remove the bacteria from your body and accelerate the healing process.

What should you avoid when you have UTI?

Changing your diet for a UTI requires more than just adding particular foods and beverages. It also involves giving up something. Uncertain about where to begin? Simple advice: If you have a UTI, steer clear from sweets. Presently, an overwhelming number of processed foods and beverages include sugar. Unfortunately, it can make an infection worse. To maximize your UTI treatment and relieve your exposure to these sugar sweets, steer clear of the following:

  • Carbohydrates
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Synthetic sugars

Although there is no verification that sugar substitutes can make a UTI worse, they have been known to make bladder sensations worse for those with recurrent chronic cystitis, so you may want to avoid them. Other substances to stay away from when having a UTI are the following:

  • Spicy food. Some spicy foods might trigger bladder irritation. Instead, when you have a UTI, follow a bland diet.
  • Citrus. Although citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruits are rich in immunity-stimulating vitamin C, they can inflame your bladder and exacerbate UTI symptoms.
  • Coffee-based beverages. It’s essential to keep hydrated when you suffer from a UTI, but try to avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages. If unsure, just drink water!