We all know that a good diet is essential to your health. The holiday season is a time of celebration, and all that celebrating includes feasting on your favorite holiday dishes. However, it’s vital to consider the effects that certain holiday foods you eat have on your urinary system, as some foods are much healthier options than others. If you’re concerned about maintaining your urological health, we’re here to help you at Athens Area Urology! We’ve compiled a list of foods to enjoy and to avoid this season to keep yourself and your urinary system healthy.

Fruits and Vegetables

Do: Green beans, onion, garlic, cauliflower, mushrooms, arugula, winter squash, pears, cranberries, grapes, blueberries.

Why: These fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber and are high in vitamins C, K, and B, which are great for maintaining your urological health.

Don’t: Spinach, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, olives, avocados, bananas, oranges, dates, raisins, prunes.

Why: You should generally avoid these fruits and vegetables because they tend to be high in potassium and phosphorus. These can aggravate your urinary system if you consume more than your recommended daily amount.

Our Suggestion: Winter squash soup and crunchy, toasted green beans served with almond slivers make for excellent holiday side dishes.

Proteins

Do: Chicken, eggs, fish.

Why: These proteins are good for keeping your kidney in good health while remaining low in sodium and cholesterol. Preparation is also necessary: in general, skinless chicken and fish that’s either baked or grilled is a much healthier option than frying your protein.

Don’t: Processed meats, red meats, deli meats, fried fish.

Why: These kinds of proteins are very high in sodium, which can make it difficult for your kidneys to properly filter out the waste your body needs to get rid of. Plus, the high sodium and cholesterol levels of these proteins can lead to high blood pressure and heart issues.

Our Suggestion: Baked sea bass with lemon makes for a delicious family dinner, and grilled chicken can be chopped up and added to a salad.

Treats

Do: Blueberry scones, popcorn, fruit smoothies, cranberry muffins.

Why: Popcorn is a low-sugar alternative to other desserts, and it’s just as delicious! Blueberries and cranberries are great for your urinary tract and can help with various bladder issues. Fruit smoothies are yummy, but be cautious with your intake as these can be high in sugar content.

Don’t: Dairy products, large amounts of processed sugars, dark sodas.

Why: In general, it’s important to avoid large amounts of sugar and processed foods to maintain your overall health. However, avoiding consuming too much processed sugar and fats is also a great way to keep up with your urological health.

Our Suggestion: Drizzle butter over popcorn and add a small amount of cinnamon sugar for a healthy alternative to holiday cookies. Pears, which are in season during the winter months, also make amazing snacks as slices or baked/grilled as a dessert.

Beverages

Do: Water, herbal teas, cranberry juice.

Why: Water is essential to your urinary health. It’s important to stay hydrated and drink at least 1-2 liters of water each day. Check the color of your urine, and remember to drink more water if it appears dark. Decaf herbal teas are a good alternative to coffee, and cranberry juice is good for maintaining your urinary tract.

Don’t: Dark sodas, coffee and other high-caffeine beverages, alcohol.

Why: Moderation is key with alcohol; too much can negatively affect your bladder and overall health. Alcohol has also been linked to kidney cancer. High-caffeine drinks like coffee are diuretics and can worsen bladder problems such as incontinence.

Our Suggestion: Water! If nothing else, do your best this season to drink more water and stay hydrated. It’s okay to treat yourself to a drink, a cup of coffee or a glass of apple cider here and there, but be sure you’re watching your sugar intake and balancing out your beverages with water throughout the day,

If you’re interested in more information about improving your urological health, check out our website. See our services page to find out how we can help you stay healthy this winter, or contact us with questions you may have about your urological health. From all of us at Athens Area Urology, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season!