Foods To Avoid After A Urine Infection

Bacteria are the primary cause of many urinary tract infections in men, women and kids, reports the American Urological Association. Urine infections tend to occur more in females than in men. Females are susceptible to bacteria because they have a shorter urinary tract than males. Urinary tract infections are normally characterized by pain and burning while urinating, blood in the urine, fever and feeling the need to urinate often. Although UTIs have several risk factors, there are some foods that should be avoided after a urine infection.

Sugar

According to the book "A Seat on the Aisle, Please!" by urologist Dr. Elizabeth Kavaler, you should avoid sugar as bacteria feed on it and subsequently use it to multiply in size. After a urine infection, patients tend to go back to their regular eating habits, which can prompt recurring infections, notes Kavaler. As a result, you should restrict or limit food sources with refined sugars such as cakes, cookies, crackers, chips, soda and other starchy or sugary foods.

Acidic Fruits

Acidic fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges, tomatoes, pineapples and grapefruits contain acidic content that irritates the bladder. Kavaler states that acidic fruits can cause bladder inflammation and subsequently worsen urinary infection symptoms. After your urinary tract infection clears, avoid acidic foods and other similar bladder irritants to prevent the UTI recurrence.

Other Foods to Avoid

The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that people who are recovering or currently have a UTI, avoid or limit their consumption of dairy products, alcohol and spicy foods. These foods can irritate and promote inflammation in your urinary tract system. It is also important to limit your consumption of caffeine, which can increase the heart rate and cause bacteria to circulate more quickly to your urinary area. Caffeinated teas, coffee, chocolate and sodas should be limited or restricted. No matter what foods you restrict or limit in your diet, be sure to drink water daily to potentially flush toxins out of your urinary tract system.