Simple changes in your diet can help control IC symptoms, and reduce flare-ups. Avoid foods high in acid and potassium, and beverages containing caffeine, alcohol, or carbonation. Some basic guidelines are:
Fruits/ Vegetables: Include fruits like bananas, blueberries, coconut, dates, pears, and melons (other than cantaloupe). Avoid other fruits and fruit juices, especially citrus and cranberry. Most vegetables are good, but avoid fava and lima beans, soybeans, soy milk and tofu, onions, and store-bought tomatoes.
Dairy: Avoid aged cheeses, sour cream, yogurt, and chocolate. American and cottage cheese, milk, and white chocolate are fine.
Carbohydrates/Grains: Avoid rye and sourdough breads.
Meats/Fish/Nuts: Avoid anchovies, caviar, livers, and meats that contain nitrates or nitrites. Also avoid aged, canned, cured, processed or smoked meats and fish. Most nuts, other than almonds, cashews, and pine nuts should be avoided.
Other things to avoid are mayonnaise, miso, salad dressings, soy sauce, other spicy foods (like Chinese, Mexican, Indian, and Thai foods), and vinegars. Some preservatives and artificial colorings, like benzyl alcohol, citric acid, MSG, aspartame, saccharin, and others can also increase IC flare -ups.
Source:
The IC-Smart Diet. Janssen Pharmceuticals, Inc. November, 2011. Print.