Foods to eat and avoid if you have a urologic condition

Foods to eat

1. Berries

Berries like blueberries and strawberries contain huge amounts of vitamin C, which helps with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Plus the antioxidants in berries can help to flush the bad bacteria out of your urinary tract and prevent bad bacteria from accumulating.

2. Broccoli

Broccoli is rich in antioxidants which help to detox your body. Broccoli helps to create an alkaline pH in your body and promotes healthy immune function. Broccoli is also rich in fibre, which helps cut out constipation.

3. Legumes

Beans are full of fibre as well as protein. Beans also help to alkalize your urine, therefore leading to fewer infections and promoting urinary health.

4. Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a kidney-friendly superfood. This superfood has a very good amount of vitamin C, folate and fibre. It also contains compounds that help neutralize toxic substances in your liver.

Foods to avoid

1. Canned foods

All types of canned or frozen foods should be avoided as they contain high amounts of sodium, as salt is added as a preservative to increase the shelf life of canned foods. Too much sodium is bad for our kidney health.

2. Caffeine

Caffeine is a diuretic — it encourages the release of water in the urine. This can make the symptoms of an OAB (overactive bladder) worse. So it is recommended to limit caffeinated drinks and opt for alternatives like water, diluted juice and herbal teas instead. This little change can improve symptoms of urgency and frequency of urination.

3. Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits are also believed to irritate the bladder, which might cause painful urination.

4. Avocados

While avocados are usually a healthy addition to the diet, individuals with kidney disease should avoid them. This is because avocados are a very rich source of potassium — one cup (150 grams) of an avocado provides a whopping 727 mg of potassium.

5. Pickles

Usually, large amounts of salt are added during the pickling process. For example, one piece of pickle contains more than 300 mg of sodium. Likewise, there are 244 mg of sodium in 2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish.