With summer upon us it’s time for picnics and barbecues galore! With lots of tempting food and drink on offer, your bladder may feel a little overwhelmed, especially if you have bladder weakness. With that in mind, check out these recommendations from the continence care specialists iD Direct for bladder-friendly foods and drinks that wont’s trigger your incontinence.
DRINKS
Some drinks should be avoided in order to maintain a calm and happy bladder, including caffeine, carbonated drinks and alcohol. You should also make sure you stay hydrated, by drinking plenty of water. Don’t worry though, there are still plenty of drinks out there for you to enjoy and that will keep you refreshed during the warm summer months:
Milk
It might not seem like the obvious choice for a hot, summer’s day but combining semi-skimmed or whole milk with some fresh bladder-friendly fruits, like blueberries will make a delicious milkshake! Serve in a cocktail glass for the ultimate summer-time vibe!
Water
Spice it up with some chopped fruit and the benefits to your overall health and skin will be enormous! Why don’t you try a homemade coconut-water-lemonade? Freshly made and stored in the fridge, it will refresh you on a very hot summer day and is still beneficial for your bladder health.
Diluted Fruit Juice
You can still enjoy a glass of self-made delicious fruit juice as long as it’s diluted with water. Make sure to avoid overly acidic fresh juices, such as orange and grapefruit, as these can irritate your bladder. You could even mix more than one juice together to make a tasty mocktail!
Decaffeinated tea and coffee
Caffeine is not great for your bladder, so switch to decaf tea and coffee. You could enjoy one on those cooler summer evenings as the sun goes down.
FOODS
Once again, there are, of course, some foods you may wish to avoid if you experience bladder weakness issues, such as spicy dishes and acidic foods like tomatoes, which can irritate your bladder. Nonetheless, there are plenty of delicious foods for bladder health:
Yoghurt
Yoghurt is not only refreshing, but it is a great addition to a fruit salad and it is a great food for bladder health too. It is full of probiotics that promote a healthy bladder. Try some yoghurt and bladder-friendly fruits for your breakfast or make a tasty side dish for a barbecue.
Fruit and vegetables
Fruit and vegetables are great foods for a healthy bladder. Upping your intake could really help to improve your symptoms, as they contain vitamins that promote bladder health as well as general health. Some delicious examples of fruit and vegetables to enjoy during the summer are bananas, strawberries, blueberries, watermelon coconut, asparagus, kale, cucumber, lettuce and peppers.
You could make a delicious smoothie, milkshake or salad for a lovely summer lunch! They are the perfect accompaniment to a barbecue.
If you are considering changing your diet or if you feel that for some reason your bladder weakness issue is getting worse, iD recommends to first consult your GP or a healthcare professional.
You can view the full range of iD products and get useful advice and tips about incontinence at www.id-direct.com or follow @id.invisiblesolutions
