Holiday Nutrition Tips for People With Leaky Bladders
It’s the holiday season! Bring on the appetizers, the eggnog, the desserts, the after-dinner espresso! Then, ugh, form a line to the bathroom. Why? For those of us with leaky bladders, the extra food and drink we enjoy will probably mean more trips to the bathroom or an increase in our use of incontinence products. That’s because a lot of the foods and drinks we enjoy over the holidays are bladder irritants.
Are there measures we can take to prevent this seasonal bladder overload? You bet! Here’s what my trusted sources have to say about it:
According to WebMD, there are six main culprits when it comes to bladder irritation.
1. Too Much Water (or Too Little)
Drinking the often-recommended 6 to 8 glasses of water a day could be a problem for someone with incontinence, but if you drink too little water, your urine can become concentrated and may irritate your bladder. Either way, you’ll feel like you have to go.
2. Alcohol
"Alcohol has a direct effect on the bladder," says Amy Rosenman, MD, assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. You'll need to go more often.” Alcohol also affects the messages from the brain to the bladder that tell it when to hold urine and when to go.
Adds the National Association For Continence (NAFC), “That glass of wine or champagne may seem like a good idea, but alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it creates additional urine in the bladder. This can cause an increase in urge incontinence, and may also trigger symptoms of overactive bladder. If you really feel like you need a drink, try making a spritzer by mixing in some sparkling water. You’ll lessen the effects of the alcohol and will also stay hydrated.”
3. Caffeine
Soft drinks, teas, chocolate, and even decaf coffee contain caffeine. It makes you feel like you have to go, and it also prompts your body to get rid of liquids. Limit coffee and tea as much as possible. If that’s a non-starter for you (we get it!), try to have your coffee in the morning instead of at night.
4. Spicy Foods
If you have an overactive bladder, avoid eating spicy foods like Mexican dishes, Chinese cuisine, chili peppers, chili, and horseradish. Spicy foods irritate the lining of your bladder just like caffeine does, says Christine Gerbstadt, MD, a doctor and registered dietitian.
5. Acidic Foods and Drinks
Citrus foods and tropical juices like orange and pineapple have acid that can bother your bladder. Tomatoes are also acidic. Watch the chips and salsa!
6. Carbonated Drinks
Even if fizzy drinks don't have caffeine, they may not be your best choice. The carbon dioxide in the drink can irritate a sensitive bladder.
The NAFC adds, “Many processed foods contain artificial flavors and preservatives that can irritate the bladder and worsen incontinence symptoms. So, try your best to avoid too many packaged foods and stick to whole foods as much as possible (this will help your waistline too!)”
They offer this advice for managing your diet during the holidays: “The best rule of thumb is to try to stick to your normal eating plan as much as possible. You probably already have a good idea of what types of foods irritate your bladder and increase your symptoms. So, keep it simple and try to stay the course. However, if you must indulge (it is the holidays after all), do so sparingly. And try to avoid the above foods as much as possible, since they are known bladder irritants.”
From Prickly Pear Sports, we wish you a joyous holiday season, full of the people and things that are close to your heart. Stay safe, stay active, and go the distance. We’ve got you covered.
For the full articles, here are the links:
National Association for Continence: https://nafc.org/bhealth-blog/your-guide-to-eating-during-the-holidays/
WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/features/oab-diet