The urinary tract consists of the bladder and kidneys, as well as the tubes that connect them. When germs that normally exist in the intestines and stool get get into this system, an infection can occur. The bladder is the most common site for such infections. Urinary tract infections generally require treatment so they don't become more serious or spread to another area of the body. A physician may recommend taking antibiotics to help the infection clear. While you're undergoing medical treatment, you may want to consider cutting back on or eliminating foods that could aggravate a urinary tract infection.
Caffeine and Alcohol
Part of eating a diet to control urinary tract infection symptoms is reducing the workload on the bladder so it can heal. MayoClinic.com suggests eliminating coffee, alcohol, caffeinated soft drinks and citrus drinks, all of which can irritate the bladder and intestines. Consumption of spicy foods should also be reduced or eliminated. Although an increased need to urinate places stress on the bladder, it's important to drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day to help the system flush out the infection.
Sugary Foods
Having high blood sugar levels or diabetes increases the risk of getting a urinary tract infection, so you should take steps to keep blood glucose levels in check, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. Doing so involves restricting your intake of sugary foods and sweetened beverages. If you suffer urinary tract infections repeatedly, a doctor or registered dietitian can make dietary recommendations based on your personal health.
Other Foods
Certain other foods, such as dairy products and foods with gluten, corn, preservatives or food additives, all have the potential to cause allergic reactions in some people. If you're sensitive to certain foods, you should avoid them when treating a urinary tract infection, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. A physician can perform food-sensitivity tests to discover problem foods and then make recommendations for substitutes.
Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice can help prevent future infections, as cranberry juice has substances that inhibit bacteria from sticking to the bladder walls.
