Baking Soda

Baking soda helps alkalize the body. Acids are in foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes and chocolate. They are also hidden in processed foods as ascorbic acid, citric acid and others. Acids can also be found in supplements that contain vitamin C. All acids can trigger IC pain. If you are in pain, take baking soda according to the directions on the box. Even better, if you are going to eat food that you are uncertain about, take the baking soda preventatively. Diet is the first step to reducing IC pain but learning what foods are safe for you can prove to be a challenge. Baking soda is the first step to recovering from excess acid.

Super Hydrate

Drinking a lot of water may not sound like tons of fun with our bladder symptoms. We find we feel better, tho, so the IC sisters are both big water drinkers. You never find us away from home without our stainless steel water bottles. Try to drink half your weight in ounces of water per day. For example, Sister 1 weighs 128 pounds (with shoes on) and tries to drink 64 ounces of water per day.

Drinking water helps dilute those acids we consume in foods. It also helps to dilute acids produced within the body.

Start your day with 2 glasses of water, before consuming any other foods or liquids.

Here are some indicators of under hydration: yellow urine (pee clear!) dry skin or lips, headaches, constipation... the list goes on. Try this, pinch the skin on a knuckle on the back of your hand and after you let go if the skin does not immediately lay back down you are dehydrated. Drink up! Use your pee clear test to tell you how you are doing.