Watching what you eat is one of the most important components of treatment for people with interstitial cystitis, a painful bladder condition. Eating certain foods can trigger a flare-up, causing pain and difficulty urinating. Although recipes can vary, a salad such as balsamic brown rice, with its brown rice, vinegar, various vegetables, including onions, cucumbers, and peppers, and seasonings like garlic, may trigger a flare-up in some people with interstitial cystitis, and should be eaten with caution.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis, or IC, is a condition that causes pain in your bladder and pelvic area. It also causes frequent and painful urination. The exact cause of IC is not known, but it may be a manifestation of a condition that causes inflammation of many organs, says the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. IC has no cure, and treatment involves pain management through medication and lifestyle changes that include diet modification.
Bladder-Friendly Foods
Julie Beyer, a registered dietitian specializing in IC, created a balanced diet food list to help people with IC create healthy meals and limit flare-ups. The list includes a variety of bladder-friendly foods from all of the food groups. Brown rice, garlic, cucumbers, avocado and celery -- common ingredients in balsamic brown rice salad -- are all bladder-friendly foods, and can be eaten without worry. In addition, the rice and garlic may be especially soothing during a flare-up, according to Ms. Beyer.
Foods to Try
The IC diet food list also includes a variety of foods you should try. These foods are safe for most people, but have been shown to cause flare-ups in people who are especially sensitive. It is recommended that you try these foods when you are symptom-free, and only one at a time. Red onions and green peppers -- also found in various balsamic brown rice salad recipes -- are on the foods-to-try list. If you're not sure if red onions and green peppers are safe, you should probably omit them from the salad recipe.
Cautionary Foods
The cautionary foods on the IC diet list are foods that trigger discomfort. You should only include these foods in your diet when you are completely symptom-free, says Ms. Beyer. Balsamic vinegar is an IC trigger food. Some balsamic brown rice recipes also use artificial sweeteners as an ingredient, which also trigger flare-ups. It is best to avoid artificial sweeteners altogether when you have IC. If your recipe calls for the use of artificial sweeteners, you should omit it and instead use regular sugar.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders; Interstitial Cystitis; December 2009
- Confident Choices; The IC Diet Food List and Elimination Diet; Julie Beyer; January 2011
- RD411; Interstitial Cystitis and Diet; November 2008
- Yummly: Weight Watchers Italian Brown Rice Salad
- Cooks Recipes: Italian Brown Rice Salad
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