What to Eat for an Enlarged Prostate: Foods to Avoid and the Best Foods to Swap In

If you’re dealing with an enlarged prostate (BPH), you’ve probably noticed the symptoms don’t always feel the same every day. Some days you’re fine. Other days you’re running to the bathroom, waking up at night, or feeling like you never fully empty your bladder.

Here’s the thing: diet won’t “cure” BPH. But certain foods and drinks can absolutely push urinary symptoms in the wrong direction—especially urgency, frequency, and nighttime urination. The goal isn’t a perfect meal plan. The goal is to reduce the biggest triggers and replace them with choices that are easier on your bladder and better for overall prostate health.

Below are four categories that matter most for most men—kept simple, practical, and realistic.

1) Caffeine-heavy drinks (coffee, energy drinks, some teas)

Why to limit it:
Caffeine can increase urine production and ramp up urgency and frequency. For men with BPH, it can also make the bladder feel more “on edge,” which can turn mild symptoms into constant interruptions. Timing matters too—caffeine later in the day is more likely to show up as nighttime trips and lighter, more broken sleep.

Best swap: Water

Why it’s better:
Water hydrates without stimulating the bladder. It also helps your urine stay less concentrated, which can reduce irritation in some men. If you’re trying to get nocturia under control, steady hydration earlier in the day and less stimulation late in the day can make a noticeable difference.

Another strong option: Decaf coffee or caffeine-free herbal tea
Why it’s better:
You keep the comfort and routine of a warm drink without the stimulant effect that often drives urinary urgency. For a lot of men, this is the easiest way to reduce symptoms without feeling like they’re giving up everything.

2) Alcohol (especially close to bedtime)</h4

Why to limit it:
Alcohol can increase urine production and disrupt sleep. That combination is rough for men with BPH. Even if alcohol doesn’t “cause” the prostate problem, it often makes the symptoms feel louder—particularly at night when you’re trying to stay asleep.

Best swap: Caffeine-free herbal tea (chamomile or peppermint)

Why it’s better:
It gives you that evening “wind down” ritual without pushing urinary output the way alcohol can. If nighttime urination is one of your biggest complaints, creating a calmer, more consistent evening routine is one of the most practical lifestyle changes you can make.

Another strong option: Water
Why it’s better:
Simple and predictable. If you’re trying to identify triggers, water is the baseline. It’s also easier to control portion-wise compared to beverages that people tend to refill without thinking.

3) Sugary and carbonated drinks (soda, sweet tea, sports drinks, sparkling beverages)

Why to limit it:
This category is a common double-hit for urinary symptoms. Sugary drinks can contribute to inflammation and unstable energy, and carbonation can irritate the bladder for some men—both of which can make urgency and frequency worse. Many sodas also contain caffeine, which adds yet another trigger in the same bottle.

If you feel like you’re fine during the day but your symptoms spike after lunch or in the evening, this category is one of the best places to look.

Best swap: Water (lightly flavored if needed)
Why it’s better:
You get hydration without sugar, caffeine, or carbonation. If plain water feels boring, infusing it with cucumber or berries can help you drink consistently without adding the stuff that tends to flare symptoms.

Another strong option: Unsweetened iced tea (preferably low-caffeine or decaf)
Why it’s better:
It gives you flavor without the sugar spike. And choosing a low-caffeine or decaf version helps you avoid stacking triggers. For many men, swapping sweet tea or soda for unsweetened tea is the most realistic long-term change.

4) Red meat multiple times per week

Why to limit it:
When red meat becomes a frequent staple—especially higher-fat cuts or processed versions—it can work against the bigger goal of lowering inflammation and supporting metabolic health. For men dealing with BPH symptoms, overall inflammation and lifestyle factors can influence how “irritated” the urinary system feels day to day.

This doesn’t mean “never eat steak again.” It just means red meat doesn’t have to be the default protein at most dinners.

Best swap: Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, trout)
Why it’s better:
Fatty fish is a strong protein choice that also brings omega-3s, which fit well into an anti-inflammatory eating pattern. It’s typically lighter than a heavy red-meat meal and pairs easily with simple sides like vegetables, rice, or potatoes without feeling restrictive or “diet-y.”

Another strong option: Lean chicken or turkey
Why it’s better:
Poultry gives you high-quality protein with less saturated fat than many red meat choices. It’s also versatile and easy to prep in different ways, which makes it easier to stay consistent week after week.

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A simple way to test what affects you (without overthinking it)

If you want to know what’s actually driving your symptoms, don’t try to change everything at once. Do a short “trigger test”:

For 7 days: reduce caffeine, alcohol, and sugary/carbonated drinks

Keep everything else mostly the same

Pay attention to urgency and nighttime trips

If things improve, you’ve found leverage. If not, you’ve still improved your baseline health—and you can look at other factors with more clarity.

When diet isn’t enough

Diet changes can help a lot with day-to-day symptoms, but if you’re still waking up multiple times per night, dealing with urgency, or struggling with weak flow, it may be time to talk about a real solution.

At MTVIR in Dallas, Dr. Travis Van Meter offers Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)—a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure designed to shrink the prostate and relieve BPH symptoms at the source.

Looking for a prostate clinic in Dallas?

Look no further. We have a state-of-the-art center in North Dallas, where we can perform not only consultations but also surgeries.

Find us at:

9101 N Central Expy, Suite 550, Dallas, TX 75225
Call (469) 458-9800
Or contact us here to schedule a consultation.