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Hi Ossie, I have the chronic condition interstitial cystitis and current thought on treatment is to reduce acid levels in the body. Do you have any recommendations about this? I forgot my evening snack two days ago and had the best sleep in some time. Last night I had my nuts at 9 and was up twice as much. I was wondering if I can get some help in managing this. Even though I feel the general level of inflammation in my body is much reduced on this menu plan, it has not helped the cystitis.
I know that many foods burn in the body with acid residue, proteins in particular. I do have a list of which foods are acid or alkaline inducers, and am trying to pick ones that will help me. I think a balanced meal is my best bet, should I try for only 5 meals a day but with more balanced content?
Hi, Lynn. Hopefully you are being followed by a healthcare professional for your condition
As far as diet goes, basically the trick is to avoid artificial, processed, and acidic foods – including coffee, tea (other than chamomile or peppermint), vinegars, tomatoes and tomato products (including things like barbeque sauce), citrus fruits, cranberries, and pineapples – as well as chocolate, aged cheeses, alcohol, anything with MSG or citric acid (preservative),and spicy foods. Other omissions are very individual (i.e. asparagus, melons, wheat, and most nuts – which seem to be an issue for you).
Foods that seem to be OK include most vegetables, white cheeses, non-wheat breads and other grain products, meats and meat substitutes that are not aged, canned, cured, processed, or smoked.
If leaving out your evening snack helps you, then go for it – in general, this disorder is very individual in what works.Thanks, Ossie, I appreciate your detailed response. I am being seen by a specialist, but both he and my family doctor simply refer me to the online resources as far as diet is concerned. I received more help from a PhD nurse. I am doing a lot of what you mention, but have been dragging my feet on stopping coffee, only one a day….but I must do it. I know that ascorbic acid is one of my problems, and use a special form of Vit C. I do hope melons are not one of my triggers, they are such a good fruit, and there are quite a few I can’t have. I will test it out. Thanks 🙂
Hi Ossie, what is your view on hemp hearts? I was thinking this could replace some of the protein from nuts like cashew or pecan, but maybe they have the same effects on my condition.
Hi, Lynn. Hemp hearts are an excellent choice. They are alkaline (the opposite of acidic) as well as highly nutritious. Every 2 tablespoons (2/3 of an ounce) has the same protein as an ounce of meat – more fat, high in omega-6, but if you combine the seeds with some chia or flax seeds (high in omega-3 and fiber, moderately alkaline), you can get a good all-around balance.
Hi Lynn, I am new to this forum (just joined) and don’t know if I’m being presumptuous, but seeing that you are the one that had my name choice, I read this post and acidity is something that I’ve been studying closely. The biochemist I was working with told me that if I must have coffee I should blend in some almond milk (not dairy, though) and that would help to cancel some of the acidity. I also have a cold brew coffee system that makes coffee that is less acidic in the first place. I did this for a while and then started to drink green tea instead since it is recommended for cancer patients and that’s become my morning drink of choice. It still has caffeine but seems to not cause the acid problems I had with the coffee. I just have coffee on rare occasions as a treat, not on a regular basis. Be sure if you get almond milk to get the unsweetened one. You have to read the labels closely. They are determined to slip in sugar one way or another!
Hi (other!)Lynn, Thanks for your suggestions. My problem isn’t with stomach acidity as much as whole body acid balance….I seem to be retaining too much acid by products and not getting enough alkalinity. So, I must examine every food and try to find a balance. It is proving to be difficult while maintaining an adequate level of protein intake…..all proteins produce acid by products once digested.
OSSIE, I am having difficulty (actually it’s impossible!)aiming for the recommended low level of 20% acid forming foods to promote healing of the bladder, and still following the menu plans, so will have to take a breather. I plan to try some of the agents which are recommended for correcting an imbalance, while I try to eat the right foods….pretty complicated!
OSSIE, I have found a vegetable based protein supplement, but it would help me to know what one serving would replace of the animal protein in my menus. It has vitamins and minerals too, so I worry a little about overdoing them, if I am eating an otherwise healthy diet of real food. It says there is 15 g of protein per one 36 g of powdered supplement (Vega One is the brand)
Hi, Lynn. Each protein exchange in the program has 7 grams of protein – for each serving that appears in your menu, just check the exchanges in “View Menu Exchanges”.
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