Eating Out with IC/BPS

Are you tired of saying “No” when invited out to eat with family and friends?? You CAN enjoy a great restaurant meal even with IC/BPS. Here are some tips that will help:

#1: Be Prepared:

  • If you’re new to IC and tend to forget which foods you can and can’t have, make a list of your food triggers, or bring the ICN Diet Card or ICN Food List.
  • Don’t forget to bring your favorite acid neutralizers. Prelief® is the oldest and most trusted IC supplement on the market today. Cited in numerous medical journals and treatment guidelines, Prelief® is a medical food for the dietary management of Interstitial Cystitis.
  • Plan your food choices early by reviewing their menu online. You’ll feel more relaxed and in control.
  • If your bladder is sensitive or flaring, stick to low acidic, friendly foods. If you’ve been following the IC diet and your bladder feels good, you may be able to “get away with” a little treat.

#2: Choose the restaurant wisely

  • If you’re looking to celebrate, pick restaurants that prepare food to order. Though more expensive, fine dining restaurants will often prepare special requests that are not on the menu to meet your needs. Call in advance if necessary to see if this is an option.
  • Small, family run cafes can be a lovely place to enjoy a meal. From your favorite breakfast place to burger bar, they usually prepare many foods from scratch and can easily adapt for their customer needs.
  • Restaurants that advertise “heart-healthy” menus will have plenty of simply prepared foods.
  • Fast food restaurants are challenging. Many of their foods are prepared in advance with spices and preservatives that can trigger an IC flare. Sandwich shops (i.e. Subway, Jersey Mikes) are better options. In a pinch? You can’t go wrong with a simple turkey sandwich.

#3: Food choices

  • Look for foods with simple preparation (such as steamed vegetables or broiled fish) and don’t be afraid to ask how they were prepared and/or what the ingredients are.
  • Try to choose a balanced meal of meats, vegetables, grains etc. If one of your choices turns out to contain a bladder irritant, it’s better that you didn’t make the whole meal of it.
  • Fancy sauces, breading, or stuffings are the most likely to contain hidden bladder irritants. You can always ask for sauces to be served on the side as well.
  • You can turn a “safe” appetizer into a whole meal by adding bread, a vegetable or dressing-free salad, and a simple ice cream dessert. A baked pear dessert can become a side dish by asking for it to be served with your dinner.
  • If the dinner menu isn’t promising, ask if you can order from the lunch or breakfast menu.
  • If the food isn’t prepared as you ordered, don’t be afraid to send it back or ask for something else if necessary. This isn’t being picky, it’s being sensible and asking for your needs to be respected.

#4 – Need Flavor?

  • Sadly, hot spices are not your friend. If you love Mexican or Thai food, you should know that “heat” can irritate the bladder. Ask the restaurant if they will not use or reduce hot spices (i.e. chili). Mexican foods can be quite bladder friendly, flavorful and comforting if they aren’t too spicy.
  • Italian food lovers should try white or pesto sauces on their pasta rather than a typical marinara sauces. Carbonara sauce is an IC favorite for its mild, cheesy goodness. Parmesan and other aged cheeses are not as worrisome as they used to be. If you feel good, consider trying a small amount. Thankfully garlic and other Italian spices are considered very IC friendly.
  • Craving pizza?? Look for pizzas made with white sauces or olive oil rather than red sauce. For toppings, look for fresh meats, cheese  and veg. Preserved meats (i.e. pepperoni) are certainly more risky. Veggie pizza, on the other hand, could be your perfect bladder friendly choice.
  • BBQ can be very challenging because of the heavy spices used in the rubs and sauces on many BBQ favorites (i.e. pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, brisket). The high salt content could also trigger more irritation. Look, instead, to milder BBQ chicken or steak. Prelief can help!
  • Many Chinese foods (i.e. almond chicken, beef and broccoli, stir fried veggies, beef & broccoli, fried rice, egg rolls) are fine as long as they aren’t using MSG or lots of soy sauce. Ask before ordering. Some soups may contain more salt or MSG. You can also ask for sauces on the side so that you can use very small amounts.
  • Vegetarian restaurants are often a safe haven though soy is irritating for some but not all IC’ers. Stir fried vegetables on quinoa makes for a lovely meal. Falafel, hummus and pita make for a tasty lunch or snack.
  • Don’t be afraid to try new cuisines. Just go slow and try a few bites to test for flavor and acid.

Conclusion

Please don’t fear eating out. With a little time, preparation, creativity and assertiveness, there are meals that you can enjoy while socializing with family and friends. However, be prepared to be “odd man out” and order what you want in spite of what everyone else is ordering, and that includes alcohol. If everyone is sharing a bottle of wine, you can ask for sparkling water with no shame. If your guests appear impatient, sometimes a few words of explanation helps: “Do you guys mind if I take a little longer to order? I’m on a medical diet and need to ask some questions first.” Just mentioning that you have a food allergy can satisfy the curiosity of those you’re dining with.

Most importantly, be confident. You are not alone. Food intolerances are common. Just think of the millions who struggle with GERD and stomach issues who must also avoid acidic foods. From reducing salt due to high blood pressure to avoiding sautéed fat because of gall bladder issues, restaurants are used to customers who might need a little extra consideration and service. After all, there’s a very good chance that one of their employees has to modify their diet too.

Politely ask for what you need and give the restaurant the opportunity to meet those needs.

Updated: 3/5/2025 – Jill Osborne

Adapted from “A Taste of the Good Life” by Bev Laumann.