5 foods to avoid with UTI: What you shouldn’t eat when fighting a urinary tract infection

From the constant urge to pee to the burning sensation during urination, UTIs can be uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life. While medications like antibiotics are often necessary for treatment, your diet also plays a part in how quickly and comfortably you recover.

Certain foods and drinks can irritate the bladder and urinary tract, worsening your symptoms or slowing the healing process. By knowing what to avoid and what to eat instead, you can support your body’s recovery and reduce your chances of future flare-ups. 

Here are the top foods to avoid with UTI and practical tips to help you feel better, faster.

1. Avoid caffeinated beverages

If you’re someone who leans on coffee to start the day, you might want to give up caffeine when dealing with a UTI. Caffeinated beverages like coffee, black tea, green tea, and energy drinks can irritate the lining of your bladder, increasing inflammation and making the urge to urinate even more intense.

Caffeine is also a diuretic, which means it makes you urinate more often. While that might sound helpful for flushing out bacteria, it can actually worsen dehydration and cause more discomfort during urination.

What to do instead: Opt for non-caffeinated herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint. They're soothing and hydrating without irritating your bladder.

2. Cut back on alcohol

Alcohol is another bladder irritant that can significantly worsen UTI symptoms. It increases urine acidity and can cause burning during urination. Even worse, alcohol dehydrates the body, reducing the amount of fluid available to flush out bacteria from your urinary tract.

Alcohol also suppresses immune function, which can slow down your body’s ability to fight off the infection.

Tip: If you’re treating a UTI, skip the weekend cocktails and stick to hydrating fluids like water or electrolyte-rich drinks until you're fully recovered.

YOU MIGHT LIKE: 10 countries around the world where alcohol is prohibited

3. Steer clear of spicy foods

That plate of pepper soup or extra-spicy suya might be tempting, but spicy foods can irritate the bladder.

When your urinary tract is already inflamed, adding spice can increase pain and make burning during urination feel worse.

Better choices: Mildly seasoned meals using herbs like parsley, thyme, or basil, which add flavour without heat.

READ THIS: What happens to your body when you eat spicy food?

4. Limit acidic fruits and juices

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, along with their juices, are high in ascorbic and citric acid, which can irritate the bladder lining and worsen symptoms. Although vitamin C is essential for immune function, the combination of these fruits can trigger more burning sensations.

Instead of citrus, try bananas, melons, pears, and blueberries. These fruits are more bladder-friendly and still provide essential nutrients.

5. Reduce consumption of processed and sugary foods

Sugar doesn’t just affect your waistline, it also feeds the bacteria responsible for UTIs, particularly Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is the main culprit in most infections. Processed foods, baked goods, candy, and soda all contain high levels of refined sugar that can prolong your infection and make symptoms worse.

When you consume sugary snacks, you’re essentially creating a friendlier environment for bacteria to thrive in your urinary tract.

Instead, take whole fruits, unsweetened yoghurt with probiotics, or lightly salted nuts. You could also use natural sweeteners in moderation, like honey or small amounts of pure maple syrup instead.

READ MORE: Why you should never eat any sugary food before bed

Other foods to approach with caution

Not every bladder reacts the same way, so it's important to listen to your body. However, there are some foods that commonly trigger bladder irritation in sensitive individuals, especially during a UTI.

Examples include:

• Tomato-based sauces

• Vinegar and pickled foods

• Onions (especially raw)

If you notice your symptoms spike after consuming these items, it’s best to avoid them until the infection clears.

What to eat instead: UTI-friendly foods

So, what can you eat while managing a UTI? A soothing, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating diet can support your healing.

UTI-friendly choices include

• Water: Your best friend during a UTI. Aim for at least 2-3 litres a day.

• Herbal teas: Chamomile, peppermint, or marshmallow root teas can ease discomfort.

• Probiotic-rich foods: Yoghurt, kefir, and fermented foods support gut and urinary health.

• Fruits like blueberries and pears: These are low-acid and may help fight infection.

• Vegetables: Leafy greens, cucumbers, and carrots are nutritious and gentle on the bladder.

Eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated helps your body flush out bacteria naturally and shortens the duration of symptoms.

Of course, diet alone isn’t a substitute for proper medical care. If you’re experiencing persistent or severe symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. A supportive diet, combined with the right treatment, will help you get back to feeling your best in no time.

RELATED: How to avoid urinary tract infection