Food during urinary infection treatment

During a urinary tract infection, it is important to increase your intake of water and foods with diuretic properties, such as watermelon, soursop, cucumber and carrots, as they promote the elimination of excess bacteria through urine. It is also important to avoid foods that irritate the bladder, such as coffee and caffeinated drinks.

Furthermore, cranberry juice, also called cranberry or cranberry juice, can also be a great ally to treat and prevent new infections, as it interferes with the adhesion of bacteria to the urinary tract, preventing the development of more serious infections.

In general, treatment for urinary tract infections involves the use of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor, according to the cause of the infection. However, a varied and balanced diet can prevent urinary infections and help speed up the healing process. Find out more about urinary tract infections.

What to eat when treating urinary tract infections

Foods that can be consumed during treatment for urinary tract infection are:

• Wateras it increases urine production, favoring the elimination of bacteria that are causing the infection;
• Diuretic foods, such as onion, watermelon, asparagus, parsley, soursop, cucumber and carrot. Discover other foods rich in water.
• Cranberry and blueberriesas they help fight urinary infections and, if the person has recurrent infections, they help prevent them, as they make it difficult for bacteria to adhere to the cells of the urinary tract.
• Teas with diuretic and antibacterial propertiessuch as horsetail tea or parsley infusion.

Taking a vitamin C supplement can also help improve and alleviate the symptoms of urinary tract infections, as can eating probiotic foods, such as natural yogurt.

What to avoid

Foods that should be avoided during urinary tract infections are those that can irritate the bladder, such as:

• Coffee and foods rich in caffeine, such as green, black or mate tea;
• Artificial sweeteners;
• Spicy foods, pepper and chili powder;
• Alcoholic beverages.

It is also important to avoid foods rich in sugar such as refined sugar, soft drinks, cakes, breads, desserts, sweets and chocolates. Processed meats, such as sausage, ham or mortadella, should also be avoided, as they are pro-inflammatory foods, that is, they stimulate the inflammation process in the body, making it difficult to cure the infection.

Menu to combat urinary infection

The following table provides an example of a 3-day menu with foods that help treat and prevent urinary tract infections:

The types and quantities of food indicated on the menu may vary according to the person’s age and health status and, therefore, it is important that a nutritionist is consulted to recommend an individualized meal plan.

If you want an individualized eating plan, make an appointment with the nutritionist closest to you:

It is important to remember that treatment for urinary tract infections is mainly done with the use of antibiotics, which must be prescribed by the doctor after a urine test. Food is an ally that helps strengthen the immune system and prevent new infections. Find out what the complete treatment for urinary tract infections is like.

Watch the video below for more tips from nutritionist Tatiana Zanin: