An IC Diet Road Map!

Like most other things in life, if you are trying to manage your interstitial cystitis symptoms with the IC Food List, you need a plan. Imagine that you are going to take a vacation. If you are like most people, you probably start choosing a destination weeks or even months in advance. You will likely spend time deciding on transportation, entertainment, and lodging. If you are driving, you might study maps to familiarize yourself with the various routes you can take. Or, if you are flying, you might compare the price and convenience of various airlines.

Now imagine the confusion and frustration that would result if you just woke up one day and decided to take a vacation. Just choosing where you want to go would be paralyzing, let alone knowing what clothes to pack, or how you will figure out last minute transportation. Of course, you can drive to your destination, but would you set out to an unfamiliar place without a map or directions? (As an interstitial cystitis patient, you would probably want to know where all the bathrooms are too!)

Just like planning a vacation, spending a few minutes each week planning IC friendly meals based on the interstitial cystitis diet can save you the agony of making last minute decisions. Having meals planned in advance along with recipes can even reduce the temptation to eat outside of the home. Also, creating a grocery list from your menus and shopping once a week, will save you the frustration of shuffling the contents of your refrigerator and pantry or running to the store at the last minute to find that one elusive ingredient.

Not everyone can afford an IC Diet consultation with me, but that is why I wrote the books. With a little help, I believe most people can do this themselves! It's a new year! Give it your best!


Julie Beyer, MA, RDN

Author, Speaker, Patient Advocate

www.ic-diet.com  

Helping Yourself Is the First Step to Getting Well

For step by step guidance for creating your own personal interstitial cystitis meal plan, see: Confident Choices^®: Customizing the Interstitial Cystitis Diet.

For some basic, family-style, IC bladder-friendly recipes, see: Confident Choices^®: A Cookbook for Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder

For health care workers:  Interstitial Cystitis: A Guide for Nutrition Educators

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