Don't Eat This If You're Taking That: The Hidden Risks of Mixing Food and Medicine

by Madelyn Fernstrom, John Fernstrom

NBC Today show nutrition and diet guru Madelyn Fernstrom and award-winning neuroscientist and pharmacologist John Fernstrom —partnering with AARP— present the ultimate guide to food and medicine interaction.

Millions of Americans take prescription drugs to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or other conditions. But beware: The foods you eat and the medications you take could be working against each other.

Don’t Eat This If You’re Taking That takes the mystery out of food and medication interactions. This easy-to-use guide details foods that can interfere with the action of the medication—whether taken for the short or long term. In this book, readers can easily find a medication, see what foods to avoid, and make smart swaps.

We all believe a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products is part of healthy eating—right? Not always. Dr. Fernstrom explains exactly what foods to avoid when and why. For instance,

If you’re taking cholesterol medicine, you should cut out—or cut down on—grapefruit.
On a blood thinner? Avoid dark green veggies.
If you’re on thyroid medication, nix the soy.
And more small diet changes with big health payoffs!
As an added bonus, each chapter offers a “Dietary Supplements Alert” box, providing the most up-to-date information on interactions with vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements.

With this concise, scientifically based guide, consumers can easily personalize their eating plan to work with, not against, their medications.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Medical, Diets, Food, Self Help, Reference

232 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2015

Reviews

[Kelly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit more elementary and less comprehensive than I had hoped; make that a LOT more elementary. As a transplant recipient, I am taking medications well outside of the small range of illnesses that this book addresses. I wound up buying _Food Medication Interactions 18th Edition_ - more expensive, meant for medical professionals, but covers a much wider range of medications and of foods. However, if you have just started taking medication for one of the common conditions contained in this book, then this is a fairly easy-to-read introduction to dealing with the issues; it includes some lifestyle tips and other health tips along with explanations of the medications.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

As we age, most people start to take more dietary supplements or prescription medications. The information we get with our medications usually tells us what the possible side effects might be but doesn’t always tell us what we shouldn’t eat, although many of us have learned through the years, for instance, that we should not eat grapefruit with certain medications. This book goes beyond that to inform us of other, often major, drug and food combo interactions. The book is divided into sections that cover common medication types (antidepressants, pain relief, blood thinners, and medications for diabetes, heartburn / acid reflux, blood pressure and heart). Yes, much of the info in this book is available on Google, but not always from a trusted source, and not always in one easily accessible place. For most people with average prescription or OTC medication usage, this is a useful book. For others with more uncommon prescription drug usage – i.e – transplant patients or those with severe but less common disorders and diseases this book may be less helpful.

[Nicole Normand · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book on sale via Bookbub
It's a medical book written by Americans for Americans, which means that if you're looking for something, you can't look up your actual medicine name. Also, my edition (May 2017) is really old. I did find most of what I was looking for but now everything - this book's info - are on info sheets, given to you by your pharmacist, when you pick up your new prescription, and sometimes as a reminder if it's been a while. In any case, where I live they do that (Canada). I did buy the book in 2017 but never got around to read it until now, so here we are. I did learn something that my pharmacist didn't cautioned me about and I'll look into it further. Easy to use, written in English for everyone, not just medical personnel. It's interesting, even if you're just curious about it.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that I picked up on a whim while I was at the library with my daughter. I saw it on the shelf and picked it up to peruse while she picked out her library books. It was interesting and as my husband takes several prescription medications I decided to check it out.

The book was interesting and informative. Most of the information I already knew but I checked it out so that my husband could read it also.

My Rating: A good basic reference guide.

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good informative book for people with an average amount of prescriptions. Due to my husband's myriad health problems this book was a little basic for my use. We always research any new drugs he is prescribed so much of this information we already knew. I still recommend this book for anyone who isn't far down the health care rabbit hole.

[Kathleen Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m finding this book super helpful right now. My 83 year old father has been experiencing several different medical issues which have required visits to a variety of different doctors. With each visit he brings home a new prescription. It's given me peace of mind to be able to consult this book to make sure he isn't eating something that will interfere with his medications.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not take many medications but this was very informative so I can get the best results from my meds. I am paying this book forward to a friend that has had an organ transplant to allow us to be with her for as long as we can. Thank you for all of the information!

[Louise A · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bogus

Information provided is so minimum that it us useless. Waste of money. Can get that information for free using google.

[Kirby · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information it had to impart was wonderful, but the organization of the material made it hard to find information quickly.

[Rusty Lampe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative

Very informative on some medications and herbs, foods, and supplements. Note it is not a very big list that includes all medicine names.

[Jessica Elliott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t even bother; the only point of this book is to tell you not to take certain supplements along with prescription drugs. Everybody already knows about Mah Huang and St. John’s Wort.

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

excellent information, novel approach

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Supplements?

This seemed more geared to the supplements not to take instead of actual food commodities. Was not what I thought it would be

[Sophia Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have 💯💕

[Barbara Holford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative

Enlightening. Much good information. Will definitely use . Will definitely read again. I would highly recommend to any one on meds.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short and reasonably clear guide to some major classes of medications and foods which commonly interact with them. Really could just be a table and a 5-10 page article.

[James Hilburger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anytime I learn something that I did not know I rate the book on the high side. I plan on rereading this book to make the content sink into my brain better

[William Nist · Rating 3 out of 5]

This easy to read reference book outlines the function of the drugs most prescribed in eight major areas of illness. After a discussion of how the drug classes work, a list of food and supplements NOT to be taken with these drugs is presented.

In reading the book, and suffering from a couple of the major illness areas (Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, and Pain), it strikes me that a lot, (I mean a lot!) of the foods and supplements I take would have to be eliminated to the point of significantly changing my diet. A lot of the food I eat because I think those food and supplements ARE healthy; and alcohol is a major nono in almost every class of drug use, and I don't think I will be giving up my nightly glasses of wine anytime soon.

So, I will take this material under advisement, but I doubt that I will fully comply with its mandates.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply told. Each chapter covers the drugs in the major headings of antidepressants, pain relief, blood thinners, diabetes, heartburn, blood pressure, cholesterol-lowing and heart. In every chapter, each type of medicine is listed on bold lists, and information goes from general to specific. No matter how long you have been taking your meds, I guarantee you will find out something you are doing wrong. Love the chapters. Other books are way to complicated.

[Ktmholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by one of the health experts for the TODAY SHOW, this book warns what foods, drinks, and food supplements (even vitamins!) to monitor or eliminate if you are taking medications. Since many of these items interfere with the medicine's ability to do its job, modifying even a small portion of your diet can make a large difference. (It is not necessary to read the entire book, just the sections on the medication your are taking.) Highly recommended.

[Barry Bridges · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, you know from the commercials on TV that every medication causes gas, especially those that are supposed to reduce embarrassment. In this book you learn that every medication doesn't work well with about three common herbal remedies. I expected more than I got, especially after listening t a half hour radio interview of the authors. Turns out I didn't need to read the book after hearing that interview.

[Florida Gatson]

I found this book very interesting. It contained a wealth of information if you are taken any types of medications. I would recommend it to anyone who is on medication for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. Reading it increased my awareness of the importance of balancing medication with the right timing and the right diet. Very helpful!

[Ms.soule · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful information on what not to eat if taking antidepressants, pain relief, blood thinners, diabetes meds, heartburn meds, blood pressure meds, cholesterol medication, or heart meds. Easy to find the info for each medicine type.

[Jennifer Mitchell-Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a book of facts for people who are taking prescription meds. What should you eat, what supplements should you take or stay away from. Anyone with a RX would benefit from this book. Learned some things I was doing wrong with my BP med.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I come from a family with many health ailments. This book contained helpful advice to ensure we optimize our prescription (and OTC) meds for issues like acid reflux and cholesterol. I recommend it!

[Brandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a handy reference guide that you should check before you take a new medication or just review the medications you currently take.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't quite what I thought it would be, but I still got some really good information from it.

[Barry Edstene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you.