Effective UTI Diet Chart: Foods to Include and Avoid for Better Urinary Health
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- 1 Effective UTI Diet Chart: Foods to Include and Avoid for Better Urinary Health
UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infection. It is a type of infection that can affect any part of the urinary system, such as the urinary bladder, urethra, ureters, and even the kidney. This infection is mainly caused by E. coli bacteria, which is a normal bacteria present in our gut. There are many ways of targeting UTIs in general. One of the major ways is by following a UTI diet chart, a sample of which has been provided in the article below.
SYMPTOMS OF UTI
The symptoms of a UTI vary depending on which part it has affected and the extent of the infection. DIET4UWELLNESS mentions some of the common symptoms of UTIs in this article.
When the bacteria affects the lower tract of the urinary system, affecting the bladder, ureters and the urethra:
- Burning sensation: Patient feels a burning sensation, especially while urinating.
- Frequent urination: There is a constant urge to urinate, with actual small amounts of urine.
- Cloudy or blood in urine: Urine often looks cloudy or might have stains of blood in it.
- Pungent-smelling urine: Urine often has a strong, intense, and unpleasant odor. This is one of the earliest symptoms of an ongoing UTI.
- Pelvic pain: The patient feels tenderness, pressure, and discomfort in the pelvic area in the lower abdomen. There is also a constant urge to urinate.
When the bacteria affect the upper tract of the urinary system, affecting the kidneys:
- Fever with chills: Fevers are generally a sign of inflection and inflammation. Therefore, fevers are only seen when the infection has reached the upper tract of the urinary system, thus causing frequent chills and sweats along with high fever.
- Abdominal pain: In this upper urinary tract infection, the bacteria mainly affect the kidneys. Due to inflammation, there is often tenderness, discomfort, and pain in that area.
- Nausea and vomiting: This symptom only occurs when the infection has spread and becomes very severe.
- All the symptoms seen in the case of the lower UTI
FOODS TO BE EATEN DURING UTI DIET CHART
UTI prevention diet chart should be curated by a board-certified dietician like Dt. Rukhsana Azhar practicing in Navi Mumbai and giving online services all over India. Such a UTI prevention diet that helps reduce the risk of developing UTI should be followed under guidance only. Some of the dietary tips for UTIs are:
- Adequate hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, around 3-4 litres per day. Adequate hydration helps to excrete bacteria from the urinary tract. Therefore, staying hydrated can prevent UTIs or prevent severe infections. Even if someone is not following a UTI prevention diet, they should definitely try to drink more water.
- Cranberry juice: Research has shown that cranberry juice helps prevent UTIs by preventing bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract, thus preventing inflammation or severe infections. However, it is important to consume cranberry juice without added refined sugar. Therefore, it is best to choose organic cranberry juices, which could be added without any guilt to an UTI prevention diet.
- Vitamin C-rich foods: Vitamin C-rich foods like limes, lemons, etc. acidify the urine, making the environment inhabitable for bacteria, thus preventing urinary tract infections.
- Probiotics: Probiotics are present in food items like curd, yogurt, etc. They contain lactobacillus bacteria. They maintain a healthy balance in the gut and the urinary tract, thus preventing any risk of UTIs. Therefore, probiotics are a significant component in a UTI prevention diet chart.
- Foods rich in dietary fibres: It is advised to increase the uptake of dietary fibres in a diet for UTI patients. Eating fibre-rich foods helps maintain regular bowel movements, thus preventing any risk of constipation. Constipation further increases the risk of UTIs, as it induces pressure to the bladder and the abdominal region.
- Healthy fats: Healthy fat sources like nuts, seeds, and avocados can be consumed to prevent the risk of UTIs. They help maintain the immune system strong, thus preventing the severity of the UTI. Therefore, a diet for UTI patients should contain such healthy fats instead of trans fats.
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED IN UTI DIET CHART
When someone is trying to manage and prevent UTIs, it is important to seek the guidance of a board-certified dietician like Dr. Rukhsana Azhar before starting to follow a UTI diet chart. Some foods and drinks should not be included in a diet for UTI patients.
- Alcohol is a diuretic. It increases urinary production, thus affecting the bladder. Alcohol also dehydrates the body, which prevents the bacteria from excreting. It is a beverage that should not be included in a UTI prevention diet chart.
- Spicy foods: Spicy foods like chili, peppers, spicy food, etc., also irritate the bladder and can deteriorate UTI conditions; thus, they are not included in a UTI prevention diet chart.
- Refined sugar: This is a type of artificial sweetening produced from aspartame and saccharin. It irritates the bladder and can worsen cases of UTI.
- Caffeine: Beverages like coffee, tea, and energy drinks are loaded with caffeine, which irritates the bladder. Hence, they should be avoided from a UTI diet chart.
- Carbonated beverages: Carbonated drinks, like soda and sparkling water, often irritate the urinary bladder and further worsen urinary infections. Therefore, it could be wise to avoid carbonated drinks from a UTI diet chart.
- Processed food: Processed foods tend to contain high sodium and high sugar, which contribute to inflammation and weaken the immune system. A weakened immune system cannot fight off the infection, which thrives in the body. Therefore, processed foods are best excluded from a UTI diet chart.
UTI PREVENTING DIET CHART
- Breakfast
After waking up, it is advised to take a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of honey. This should be followed by a bowl of vegetable oats or vegetable poha with a lot of vegetables topped with a few seeds and nuts.
- Morning Snack
This can be needed by people who have breakfast early in the morning. One can have a bowl of fresh fruits like guava, papaya, blueberries, and grapes. If people do not like fruits, they can serve a bowl of fruits with chat masala and black pepper.
- Lunch
Whole wheat roti with a bowl of mix vegetable or a bowl of brown rice with a bowl of lentil soup, chicken curry, green salad and one bowl Curd.
- Evening Snack
A bowl of sprout salad with lemon sprinkled along with onions, chopped tomatoes, black pepper, and chat masala.
- Dinner
A bowl of brown rice or one roti with mixed vegetables or fish curry.
OTHER TIPS TO PREVENT UTI
Other than following a UTI diet chart, it is also important to consider cleanliness, hygiene, and the type and fabric of clothes one is wearing when an UTI is concerned. Even after following a UTI diet chart, potion sizes need to be controlled based on dietary preferences, hunger levels, and the body’s needs. However, this should be done according to the advice of dieticians. One could consult board-certified dietician Rukhsana Azhar.
If someone feels that they are showing early signs of UTI symptoms, one should consult a registered dietician.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING UTI DIET CHART
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What foods to eat to prevent UTI?
- One should opt for foods rich in probiotics, such as yoghurt, curd, and fermented foods like kimchi, which help maintain good gut health.
- Research suggests that cranberry juice or raw cranberries should be consumed. Cranberries have been shown to prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder lining.
- One could also opt for Vitamin C-rich fruits like lemons and limes, which are known to boost the immune system and thus can help fight such UTIs.
- High-dietary fiber foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables help maintain proper bowel movement.
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How much water should you drink to prevent UTIs?
Drinking at least 2-3 liters of water per day is essential for UTI patients’ diets. Water helps flush out the bacteria in the system. Hydration is essential for wellness and fitness also.
2. Is alcohol allowed in a UTI preventive diet?
Alcohol consumption should be prevented in a diet for UTI patients. It leads to excessive dehydration and also leads to excess urine production.
3. Can probiotics in the diet help in preventing UTI?
Probiotics like curd and yogurt can help maintain good gut health and hence can be included in a diet for UTI patients. Thus, they would help reduce the risk of bacteria in the urinary organs.
4. Can herbal tea be included in the diet to prevent UTIs?
Herbal teas and supplements, such as camomile and lavender tea, have a diuretic effect. However, including them in a diet to prevent UTI has shown no effective results.
Hello My Name is Dt. Ruksana Azhar and I am a certified dietician and providing online & offline services for Weight Management, PCOS/PCOD Management, Diabetes Management , etc. I have 12+ years of experience in the Apollo Hospital Delhi , Max Super Specialty Hospital Delhi, Lilavati Hospital Mumbai and VLCC healthcare Mumbai. I loves to write healthcare and lifestyle related blog. My favorite part of being a doctor is the opportunity to directly improve the health and wellbeing of my patients and to develop professional and personal relationships with them.