Diet list revision! Did we miss anything?

[icnmgrjill]

I'm updating our diet list for 2011, adding new info on alcohol, reorganizing a bit. Did we miss anything in the last list that you would like to see us include?? http://www.ic-network.com/diet/2009icdietlist.pdf

[Briza]

I think peanuts should be in they try it or caution column, rather than bladder friendly.

Pecans are listed in both the try it and caution columns. That is confusing.

[icnmgrjill]

I agree Briza about the peanuts but the Long Island diet study showed that the great majority of patients tolerated peanuts without any flares at all which is why we reduced the category.

[greenredhead]

Seaweed appears to be missing. I've always wondered about it.

[polygon]

It looks great, I'm making a menu and shopping list right now so this is very handy.
I'm also wondering about seaweed - the crispy seasoned ones give me a red flag right away..

[penneyjo]

I didn't spot the new alcohol part. But, I've always wondered about calamata olives. I see the black and green ones on the list. Could you let us know about calamata? They are my favorites.

Also, what about apple cider vinegar? I've heard it is more alkaline, but don't dare chance it without some guidance.

Thanks for all your hard work!

[phoenixgirl]

Garlic is bladder-friendly, right?

Also, what about rice cakes? I see that rice is OK and cheddar cheese is, too, but what about a cheddar rice cake? I guess that would be "seasoned" or maybe have preservatives? Anyone know if we are allowed to eat them?

[mizmak35]

Diet

In desperation for a desert, I tried TRader Joes Almond Biscotti with a de-caf tea. They are delishous (especially if you dip them in the hot tea) and so far..no flare.

[Briza]

I didn't spot the new alcohol part. But, I've always wondered about calamata olives. I see the black and green ones on the list. Could you let us know about calamata? They are my favorites.

Also, what about apple cider vinegar? I've heard it is more alkaline, but don't dare chance it without some guidance.

Thanks for all your hard work!

I'm not sure where the idea came from that apple cider vinegar is alkaline??? I've seen that circulating on the board. Wrong--By nature, vinegar, regardless the type, is acidic, and very acidic at that! Acidity can be lowered by dilution.

Here's an exerpt from wikipedia:

Vinegar is an acidic liquid produced from the fermentation of ethanol in a process that yields its key ingredient, acetic acid (ethanoic acid). It also may come in a diluted form. The pH of table vinegar ranges from 2.4 to 3.4[1] (higher if diluted). The acetic acid concentration typically ranges from 4% to 8% by volume for table vinegar[2] and up to 18% for pickling vinegar. Natural vinegars also contain small amounts of tartaric acid, citric acid, and other acids. Vinegar has been used since ancient times and is an important element in European, Asian, and other cuisines.

Apple ciderApple cider vinegar, otherwise known simply as cider vinegar or ACV, is made from cider or apple must, and has a brownish-yellow color. It often is sold unfiltered and unpasteurized with the mother of vinegar present, as a natural product. It is very popular, partly because of beneficial health and beauty properties[6] and possible weight-loss properties. Because of its acidity, apple cider vinegar may be very harsh, even burning, to the throat. If taken straight, (as opposed to used in cooking), it can be diluted (e.g., with fruit juice or water) before drinking.[7] It is also sometimes sweetened with sugar or honey.[8] There have been reports of acid chemical burns of the throat from apple cider vinegar tablets, but "doubt remains as to whether apple cider vinegar was in fact an ingredient in the evaluated products."[9]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar

Kalamata olives I believe would be considered black olives.

[Landish]

Seaweed appears to be missing. I've always wondered about it.

I can eat wakame, actually I found that it makes me feel better.

Briza, It is thought that Apple Cider Vinegar causes one's pH levels to become more alkaline. Apple Cider Vinegar in itself is alkaline because of its "ash" content, which means if the apple cider vinegar was burned, what is left over becomes ash. When you check for the pH of that ash and dissolve it with water, the content is alkaline. Whenever our body digests anything, it undergoes oxidation, which is similar to burning and the end result is that you can determine whether the end product was alkaline or acid.
The confusion probably comes from the idea that it makes your urine alkaline but alkaline forming food doesn't mean alkaline urine. Like you said, it is an acidic liquid. I tried once on my salad and it caused me burn not only in my bladder but also in my stomach.

[wagamama]

I'm updating our diet list for 2011, adding new info on alcohol, reorganizing a bit. Did we miss anything in the last list that you would like to see us include?? http://www.ic-network.com/diet/2009icdietlist.pdf

A few things I've wondered about - goat cheese, tamarind paste, and lemongrass. A little exotic, I know, but great ways to flavor food. I'm curious about all three - I seem to tolerate them well, but I'm not super food sensitive.

[earthlady]

I have been wondering about grated orange peel and lemon grass in cooking. Haven't heard much about it and if it effects anyone.

[VickiB]

I think providing this diet list is one of the best services the ICN offers. Don't know where I'd have been without it!

I would like to see some sort of a disclaimer on the actual list itself that "bladder friendly" isn't an absolute. If one reads the text on the page leading up to the diet, "Bladder Friendly includes foods that rarely bother even the most sensitive IC bladders" that does kind of indicate friendly isn't 100% guaranteed for all. But I wonder how many read that, compared to those who simply skip forward to the list? To me, the heading bladder friendly is too apt to remove any possibility of doubt.

I know for myself, I went a long time discounting one of my trigger foods as a possibility because it was under usually friendly (or was it usually safe?) on the old listing chart.

Vicki

[naturegal]

How about supplements and herbal stuff that people might try by mistake? The B vitamins and C also are like battery acid to the IC bladder. Thanks!

[penneyjo]

How about coconut milk and coconut water? I hear they are good for the bladder...?