Prevent bladder infections with these 5 tips for clean eating

More and more medical research points to the fact that when it comes to our health, everything is connected. For women who suffer from painful urinary tract infections, that’s great news – since the healthy eating habits that give you glowing skin, greater energy and better digestion can also help prevent UTIs.

The MyUTI team sat down with Diane May, a leading nutritionist in the Greater New York area, who works closely with women of all ages. Not surprisingly, UTIs are a serious problem for a lot of her patients! Many live with chronic or recurring infections – the kind that make life miserable for months on end, or keep coming back even after multiple courses of antibiotics.

Diane helps women create a clean eating plan that strengthens urinary, vaginal and digestive health, which are closely interrelated. Ultimately, she says, the goal is to eat and drink in a way that helps stop infections before they start. Here are

Recommendations For UTI Prevention

1. Add healthy, UTI-fighting foods to your diet.

Foods that deliver healthy probiotics support the urinary and digestive microbiomes, giving your body a decisive edge in fighting off urinary tract infections. “I recommend that women try and enjoy fermented foods, because they give us loads of natural probiotics,” Diane says. 

 Her list of recommended foods includes yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, kimchi, sourdough bread and some cheeses. Here’s a great guide to adding more probiotic-rich foods to your diet.

2. Drink LOTS of plain water without added sugars.

“Dilution is the solution,” Diane says. “When we make water our primary beverage, we’re flushing out uropathogens – the bad guys that cause bladder infections.” 

 Plain water works best because it doesn’t contain caffeine or added sugar, which can irritate the bladder. “Added white sugar and refined carbohydrates actually FEED the bacteria that drive UTIs,” Diane explains. “This is why juices, sports drinks, soda and other bubbly beverages can make an infection worse.” 

 What about cranberry juice, often recommended for UTI relief? “As long as you’re drinking lots of water and choosing an unsweetened brand, you’re on the right track,” Diane notes. 

 Women should drink at least 11.5 cups of water daily, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you’re fighting an active infection, more H20 is a great idea.

3. Remember that food is first, but supplements can help.

In creating personalized plans for the women she sees, Diane often recommends nutritional supplements. “Sometimes, it’s because a woman needs high levels of target nutrients or has trouble tolerating certain foods,” Diane says. “ I coach her to think of food as her first line of defense, with supplements helping to fill in crucial gaps.” 

 Pairing the right foods with specially designed supplements for urinary tract health has helped many women. Here’s some we recommend you check out.

4. Eat plenty of fiber.

When it comes to urinary health, everything really IS connected, Diane says. “Bowel movements have a direct connection to UTIs. If you’re constipated, the backed-up stool in your system will put pressure on your bladder. So you’re not getting the healthy flow that cleanses and protects your urinary tract.”

Diane encourages women to eat fiber-rich foods that keep bowel movements regular. Here’s a guide to getting more fiber. Drinking plenty of water helps too, making tip #2 above a double-prevention bonus!

5. Seek out personalized advice for UTI prevention.

No two women are exactly alike. Working with a  licensed nutritionist who will look at all aspects of your health can make a positive difference. “In consulting with women, I take the whole picture into account,” Diane explains. “This way, we can discuss how her life and her diet come together. The goal is to create a plan that gives her the best chance of living without the pain, worry and inconvenience of UTIs.” 

Helping women take command of their own health is our mission at MyUTI. Here are more articles on diagnosis, testing and prevention that can help you overcome chronic or recurring UTIs.