Medications
Judy Seybold, MS, RDN, LD, CLC
Chief Nutrition Officer
Did you know that diet and lifestyle may have an impact on the efficacy of some medications? When you take a medication to manage a health issue, it should be taken responsibly as directed by your health provider. Sometimes, food interactions with some medications can occur. This happens when something you eat interferes with the drug in your body. Food-drug interaction may reduce or increase a drug’s bioavailability thus altering its effectiveness. That is why it is important to follow your health provider's direction and read product labels carefully. Be aware of what you eat, ensuring the food you eat does not conflict with medications in any way. For example, several common foods that have known interactions with select drugs are grapefruit juice, licorice, and green leafy vegetables.
When you create a MyDiet Profile on Sifter and identify a medication(s), our advanced technology filters in only products that are compatible when taking any of the twelve medication classifications defined below. These practices and principles are grounded in evidence-based research, as shown by the American Dietetic Association, Nutrition Care Manual, and Food & Drug Administration. Every product in Sifter is evaluated by assessing the nutrition panel, ingredient line, and package information. Always follow your healthcare provider's direction and read a product's label before consuming.
Medication Classifications
Antibiotics - Some antibiotics can’t be taken with milk products or may cause a temporary lactose-intolerance issue. Products presented do not contain milk, but may include yogurt with probiotics.
Anticoagulants - It is important to avoid large increases or decreases of Vitamin K-rich foods like green leafy vegetables, green tea, and cranberry juice. Products presented do not contain these ingredients.
Antihypertensives - Grapefruit juice and licorice are often limited when taking some type of these medications. Products presented do not contain these ingredients.
Bisphosphonates - Supporting good bones requires a diet rich in calcium, Vitamin D, magnesium, phosphorous, and protein while limiting excess sodium. Choose these foods first and limit sodium when taking these medications.
Bronchodilators - Products presented do not contain caffeine from coffee, chocolate and tea to avoid interference with effectiveness when taking these medications.
MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor)- Foods high in histamine and tyramine must be avoided. These are aged or fermented products like aged cheeses or fermented fruits, vegetables, soy sauce, or chocolate. Products presented do not contain these ingredients.
Nonpotassium Sparing Diuretics - Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, citrus juices and dairy (potassium-rich foods) is important because these medications increase fluid and potassium loss. Choose those foods first.
Potassium Sparing Diuretics - Limiting fruits, vegetables, citrus juices and dairy (potassium-rich foods) is important because these medications increase fluid loss but hold onto potassium. Products presented do not contain these foods.
Statins - Drinking large amounts of grapefruit or citrus juices may block the metabolism of these medications. Products presented do not contain these ingredients.
Steroids - Products presented do not contain excess sugar and sodium to help prevent fluid retention or blood sugar swings.
Stimulants - Products presented do not contain coffee, caffeine and chocolate. Too much of these foods may aggravate irritability or sleeplessness.
Tamoxifen - Research shows that Tamoxifen should not be taken with large amounts of sesame seeds, tahini, sesame oil. Products presented do not contain these ingredients.
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