Many people take antibiotics to fight infections, but many don’t know that they can’t eat certain foods while they’re on them.
Antibiotic therapy is the first line of treatment for the majority of bacterial infections. Unfortunately, these drugs aren’t without side effects.
Most of the time, these side effects are mild, short-lived, and not dangerous. But sometimes they get worse and mean you need to switch medications.
Some patients find that making a few simple changes to their diet can help them control or even get rid of these side effects.
In other cases, it’s the food causing the problem and removing it from their diet is enough.
We’ll talk about the four foods you should never eat while on antibiotics and the six foods you should eat while on antibiotics.
Can You Eat Pork While Taking Antibiotics? The Complete Guide
Eating pork while on antibiotics is a common question for many patients. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed to treat bacterial infections, but what you eat while taking these medications can impact how well they work. Pork contains nutrients that may interfere with certain antibiotics, so timing and preparation are key. This article provides a complete guide to safely enjoying pork during antibiotic treatment.
How Antibiotics Work in the BodyAntibiotics are medicines used to fight bacterial infections by either killing bacteria or preventing them from multiplying They work by targeting structures or functions in bacteria that are not found in human cells Different classes of antibiotics have different mechanisms of action. For example, penicillins and cephalosporins disrupt the bacterial cell wall, while fluoroquinolones block bacterial DNA replication.
When you take an antibiotic, it travels through your bloodstream to reach the site of infection. The dosage and timing of the doses are designed to keep a consistent level of the drug in your body to most effectively kill the bacteria. Antibiotics start working right away, but you typically need to complete the full prescribed course to completely eliminate the infection.
Potential Side Effects of Antibiotics
Along with attacking bacterial invaders, antibiotics can also kill off beneficial bacteria that naturally live in your gut and on your skin. This can sometimes cause side effects like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and yeast infections.
More serious side effects may include allergic reactions which can result in rash, itching, swelling, and even anaphylaxis. Some antibiotics can also interact with other medications For example, consuming alcohol with certain antibiotics like metronidazole can cause severe nausea and vomiting
Due to the potential for side effects and interactions, it’s important to closely follow your doctor’s instructions when taking antibiotics. Never take extra doses or share your prescription with others.
Why You Should Avoid Taking Antibiotics With Calcium-Rich Foods Like Pork
Some antibiotics, including tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones, can bind to calcium in food which prevents the drug from being fully absorbed by your body. Dairy products are well-known calcium-rich foods, but pork also contains a high level of calcium.
Most pork cuts contain around 50 mg of calcium per 100g serving. By comparison, whole milk has about 125mg per 100mL. Foods fortified with calcium like orange juice and cereal can contain between 200-500 mg per serving.
If you consume pork too closely to taking one of these antibiotics, the calcium can bind to the medication and block absorption. That means a decreased amount of antibiotic reaches the infection, reducing effectiveness.
How Long to Wait Between Antibiotics and Eating Pork
To allow enough time for antibiotics to be absorbed without interference, it is recommended to wait at least 2 hours after taking your dose before having pork or other calcium-rich foods.
You should also wait about 4-6 hours after eating high-calcium foods before taking your next antibiotic dose. The exact timing depends on the specific drug and your doctor or pharmacist can provide guidance.
Spacing out the antibiotic and calcium-containing foods gives the medication time to travel through your system and start working before any binding can occur. Just be sure to continue taking the antibiotic at the prescribed intervals.
Cooking Pork Safely While on Antibiotics
In addition to properly timing your intake, thoroughly cooking pork is extremely important when taking antibiotics. Undercooked pork can contain harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses that may cause foodborne illness. Your antibiotic treatment can also make you more susceptible to infection.
Follow these safe cooking guidelines for pork:
-
Cook pork to an internal temperature of at least 145°F throughout, then allow it to rest for 3 minutes before carving or consuming. Use a food thermometer to check temperature.
-
Ground pork should reach an internal temperature of 160°F since grinding mixes surface bacteria into the interior.
-
Always wash hands, utensils, cutting boards and counters after touching raw pork to avoid cross-contamination. Keep raw pork away from foods that won’t be cooked.
-
Leftover pork should be refrigerated within 2 hours and reheated to 165°F before eating. Throw away pork that has been left out too long.
Following these simple rules helps kill any potential pathogens in pork when your immune system is already compromised by infection.
What Kinds of Pork Can You Eat With Antibiotics?
As long as you properly time intake and cook it thoroughly, most pork cuts and preparations are fine in moderation while taking antibiotics. Here are some good pork options:
-
Lean cuts like tenderloin, chops and roasts. Choose “loin” or “round” cuts which are lower in fat.
-
Pre-cooked ham, Canadian bacon and turkey bacon. Reheat pre-cooked items to steaming hot.
-
Canned pork like Spam. The canning process kills any bacteria.
-
Well-cooked pork sausage, bacon and hot dogs. Fry until crispy or follow package directions.
-
Soups and stews with pork pieces that have simmered for a long time.
Avoid raw or undercooked pork like steak tartare or medium rare chops. Also limit high-fat items like ribs and pork belly. Focus on lean, thoroughly cooked pork choices.
Sample Meal Plans for Eating Pork With Antibiotics
Here are some sample meal plans that incorporate pork safely when taking antibiotics that interact with calcium:
Breakfast: Oatmeal with applesauce, scrambled egg whites and turkey bacon. Take antibiotic dose.
Lunch (2 hours later): Roasted pork tenderloin sandwich on whole grain bread with lettuce, tomato and avocado. Side of apple slices.
Dinner (6 hours after lunch): Baked chicken breast with roasted vegetables and brown rice.
Breakfast: Whole grain cereal with lactose-free milk, blueberries and almonds. Take antibiotic dose.
Lunch (2 hours later): Tortilla soup with pre-cooked ham chunks and avocado. Whole grain crackers on the side.
Dinner (6 hours after lunch): Grilled salmon with quinoa pilaf and steamed broccoli.
The Takeaway on Pork and Antibiotics
Many types of pork can be enjoyed in moderation during antibiotic treatment as long as you follow some common sense guidelines:
-
Allow 2 hours after taking your antibiotic before eating pork or other high-calcium foods. Wait 4-6 hours after these foods before your next dose.
-
Always cook pork to safe internal temperatures to destroy bacteria and parasites. Wash hands and surfaces after contact.
-
Stick to lean cuts of pork and pre-cooked options. Avoid fatty, raw or undercooked pork.
-
Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have questions about your specific antibiotic.
With the proper precautions, you don’t need to totally avoid delicious pork dishes when taking antibiotics. A little planning goes a long way to safely enjoying this classic meat during your treatment.
The Best Foods to Eat While Taking Antibiotics
Good news: certain foods support good bacteria levels in your body. These are the best foods to eat while taking antibiotics. By eating them, you reduce or eliminate the side effects common to antibiotic treatment.
Most of these contain either probiotics or prebiotics.
A few of the most common foods to eat while taking antibiotics include:
- Prebiotics—These are the building blocks for good bacteria in the gut. They help make your gut a good place for more healthy bacteria to grow when you eat them. Find them in kefir, yogurt, and even fortified cereals.
- Probiotics: Like prebiotics, probiotics feed good bacteria and help them grow and thrive. Good sources include supplements, kefir, yogurt, and milk.
- Yogurt and Fermented Milk—Both yogurt and fermented milk (kefir) make more Lactobacilli in the intestines, which is an important part of digestion. At the same time, they stop a lot of bad bacteria from spreading.
- Fermented Soy Products and Kimchi—Fermented soy products and kimchi are full of probiotics and prebiotics. They’re also rich in another digestion-critical bacteria called Bifidobacteria.
- Foods High in Vitamin K—Taking antibiotics can sometimes make you not get enough vitamin K, which can make bacteria imbalances worse. Leafy greens, cauliflower, liver, and eggs are all good foods to eat to get more K.
- Coconut oil is a medium-chain triglyceride that has fatty acids that may lower your risk of getting a yeast infection caused by antibiotics. If you’re female, this will be especially helpful to you!.
Why Do Antibiotics Cause GI Side Effects?
During times of good health, your body maintains a balance of good and bad bacteria in your intestines. There are just the right amount of good bacteria and bad bacteria in your body for them to live together without hurting you.
When you take antibiotics to get rid of an infection, they also kill the good bacteria in your Ga I. tract, too.
The result?
Your intestines lose the delicate balance maintained between both sides, leading to gastrointestinal upset and other unpleasant symptoms.
The Meat You Eat: Antibiotics In Our Food
FAQ
Does eating pork affect antibiotics?
What foods should you avoid when taking antibiotics?
Can we eat meat during antibiotics?
Does cooking meat destroy antibiotics?