Leena Watts
Prednisone is a steroid medication that can be highly effective in treating inflammation in the body. However, it can also cause several side effects, including weight gain, increased appetite, higher blood pressure, and an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and steroid-induced diabetes. Therefore, it is essential to be mindful of your diet while taking this medication. A diet that is rich in nutrition and low in fat, sugar, and sodium can help counteract some of these side effects. In addition, including foods high in calcium and vitamin D can help maintain strong bones and prevent osteoporosis.
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What You'll Learn
Consume foods rich in calcium and vitamin D
Consuming a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is essential when taking prednisone, a steroid drug that carries the risk of several side effects, including osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D are crucial for building and maintaining strong, dense bones throughout life.
Vitamin D is a nutrient that is both a vitamin found in certain foods and a hormone produced by the body when exposed to sunlight. However, it is often difficult to get all the vitamin D you need from sunlight and food alone. It helps the body absorb calcium, which is why a deficiency in vitamin D can lead to weak bones, a condition known as osteoporosis.
Foods that are good sources of vitamin D include:
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Egg yolk
- Mushrooms
- Milk
- Orange juice
- Yogurt
- Infant formula
- Fortified cereals
- Cheese
Calcium is a mineral that is absorbed best when consumed in amounts of 500-600mg or less. It is recommended to spread out your calcium intake throughout the day, preferably with meals. Foods that are high in calcium include:
- Low-fat dairy
- Broccoli
- Tofu
- Cooked spinach or kale
- Sardines
- Corn
- Almonds
- Boiled white beans
- Salmon
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Avoid foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats
When taking prednisone, it is important to be mindful of your cholesterol and saturated fat intake. Prednisone can increase your risk of high cholesterol and heart disease, so it is crucial to make some dietary adjustments to mitigate these potential side effects.
Firstly, avoid foods that are high in cholesterol. This includes organ meats like liver, kidney, and sweetbreads, as well as egg yolks, and shellfish such as shrimp and crab. These foods are rich in dietary cholesterol, which can contribute to high blood cholesterol levels, especially when coupled with the effects of prednisone. Instead, opt for leaner cuts of meat and include more plant-based sources of protein in your diet, such as beans, tofu, and quinoa.
Saturated fats should also be limited. Saturated fat is known to increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, in the blood, which can lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Foods high in saturated fat include fatty cuts of beef, pork, and lamb, as well as full-fat dairy products like butter, cream, and cheese. Processed meats, such as bacon, sausage, and salami, are also typically high in saturated fat. Instead, opt for healthier sources of fat, such as olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds, which provide essential fatty acids without the same negative impact on cholesterol levels.
Reading nutrition labels can help you make informed choices when it comes to saturated fat and cholesterol content. Compare products and choose those with lower saturated fat and cholesterol levels. For example, opt for reduced-fat dairy options and plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk, which are naturally cholesterol-free. When it comes to snacks, choose nuts, seeds, or air-popped popcorn instead of chips or cheese crackers.
In addition to these dietary adjustments, it is beneficial to incorporate foods that actively lower cholesterol. Soluble fiber is excellent for this, as it helps block the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Oats, beans, apples, and citrus fruits are all rich sources of soluble fiber. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, as well as flaxseeds and walnuts, can also help increase "good" HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides, reducing your risk of heart disease.
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Eat potassium-rich foods
Potassium is an essential mineral that is needed by all tissues in the body. It is important for normal cell function and helps maintain healthy blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. It also helps your kidneys, heart, muscles, and nerves to work properly.
When taking prednisone, it is important to eat a diet that is low in sodium and high in potassium. This is because prednisone can cause your body to retain fluids and sodium, leading to high blood pressure and swelling. Potassium can help to minimize fluid retention and remove extra sodium from your body.
There are many potassium-rich foods that you can include in your diet. Fruits and vegetables are especially rich in potassium. Some specific examples include bananas, oranges, apricots, cantaloupe, honeydew, grapefruit, prunes, raisins, and dates. Certain dairy products, such as milk and yogurt, are also good sources of potassium, so consider choosing low-fat or fat-free options.
In addition to fresh produce, there are other ways to incorporate potassium into your diet. For example, beans, peas, and lentils are listed under vegetables but can also be counted in the protein foods group. Seafood is another good source of potassium, with options such as salmon, tilapia, shrimp, crab, trout, and sardines. Keep in mind that the FDA recommends an average of 4,700 milligrams of potassium per day, but serving sizes for potassium-rich foods are generally around 280 milligrams.
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Avoid alcohol and coffee
When taking prednisone, it is important to be mindful of what you consume. While prednisone does not directly interact with coffee and alcohol, these substances can increase the likelihood and intensity of side effects.
Alcohol
Alcohol is known to suppress the immune system, cause inflammation of the pancreas, and lead to complications, especially for people with diabetes. When combined with prednisone, alcohol can intensify the medication's side effects, such as gastrointestinal issues, mood swings, elevated blood sugar, and weight gain. Both prednisone and alcohol can suppress the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid alcohol while taking prednisone to prevent adverse health consequences.
Coffee
Coffee, specifically the caffeine in it, can worsen prednisone's side effects, such as insomnia and heartburn. While the risk is relatively low, it is still a factor to consider. Additionally, coffee can have contradictory effects on inflammation, with some studies indicating a significant pro-inflammatory impact. Therefore, limiting or avoiding coffee consumption while taking prednisone may be advisable to ensure the medication's effectiveness and minimize potential side effects.
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Eat a balanced diet with lean, high-protein foods
When taking prednisone, it is important to eat a balanced diet with lean, high-protein foods. Prednisone can cause weight gain and an increased appetite, so a diet that is high in cholesterol and fats can be harmful to your overall health. Lean, high-protein foods are important because prednisone causes increased protein breakdown.
Meat and poultry are good sources of protein, but they can also be high in unhealthy saturated fats and sodium. Therefore, it is important to choose leaner meats and poultry, such as lean ground beef, pork loin, and skinless chicken breasts. If you are vegetarian or vegan, you can get your protein from beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, and soy products like tofu, tempeh, and edamame. These plant-based foods are not only excellent sources of protein but also provide fiber, folate, potassium, iron, and zinc.
Fish is another great source of lean protein, especially white-fleshed fish, which is quite lean and provides less than 3g of fat, 20-25g of protein, and 85-130 calories per 3.5 oz. Salmon, anchovies, sardines, trout, and tuna are also good options as they are high in protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. If you are concerned about the amount of sodium in your diet, choose seafood options that are lower in methylmercury, such as salmon, anchovies, and trout.
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are also rich in protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients. However, dairy products can be high in saturated fat, so choose low-fat dairy options and limit the amount of cheese you eat. Eggs are another good source of protein, with half the protein coming from the egg whites, which contain only trace amounts of fat and less than a quarter of the calories of whole eggs.
In addition to eating lean, high-protein foods, it is important to include foods that are rich in calcium and vitamin D in your diet when taking prednisone. Prednisone inhibits the body's calcium absorption and may increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. High-calcium foods include low-fat dairy, broccoli, tofu, cooked spinach or kale, corn, almonds, boiled white beans, and sardines. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, so include foods like salmon, tuna, egg yolk, mushrooms, and vitamin D-fortified foods in your diet.
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Frequently asked questions
A diet that is rich in nutrition and low in fat, salt and sugar is recommended while taking prednisone. It is also important to eat foods that are high in calcium and vitamin D, and to limit your intake of alcohol and coffee.
Foods that are high in calcium include low-fat dairy, broccoli, tofu, cooked spinach or kale, corn, almonds, boiled white beans, and sardines. Foods that are high in vitamin D include salmon, tuna, egg yolk, mushrooms, and vitamin D-fortified foods.
Prednisone can cause weight gain, increased appetite, higher blood pressure, and an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and steroid-induced diabetes. It can also cause swelling or puffiness, usually around the eyes and ankles, due to fluid retention.
