What Is the Best Food to Eat With Prednisone?

October 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 1% of the U.S. adult population is prescribed an oral glucocorticoid like prednisone annually, making dietary adjustments a common need. Understanding what is the best food to eat with prednisone is crucial for managing its potential side effects and supporting your body during treatment.

Quick Summary

A balanced diet focusing on high-calcium, high-protein, and high-potassium foods can counteract prednisone's side effects. Limiting sodium, simple sugars, and saturated fats is also key for managing weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels while on this medication.

Key Points

Increase Calcium and Vitamin D: Prednisone can weaken bones, so consume plenty of low-fat dairy, fortified foods, and leafy greens to support bone health.
Boost Lean Protein Intake: Combat muscle breakdown caused by prednisone by including lean meats, fish, eggs, and legumes in your diet.
Replenish Potassium: Eat potassium-rich foods like bananas, spinach, and potatoes to help manage fluid retention and high blood pressure.
Restrict Sodium: Limit your consumption of high-sodium, processed, and canned foods to prevent excess fluid retention and high blood pressure.
Avoid Added Sugars and Simple Carbs: Reduce sweets and refined carbohydrates to help control blood sugar levels, which can be elevated by prednisone.
Choose Healthy Fats: Opt for lean meats and avoid fried foods and high-fat dairy to prevent elevated cholesterol and weight gain.

Understanding Prednisone's Impact on Your Body

Prednisone, a corticosteroid, can significantly impact your body's nutritional balance and metabolism. It is known to cause fluid retention and increase blood pressure by altering how the body manages sodium and potassium. The medication can also hinder calcium absorption, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, and promote protein breakdown, which can lead to muscle weakness. Additionally, prednisone can raise blood sugar levels and stimulate appetite, contributing to unwanted weight gain. By prioritizing specific nutrients and avoiding others, you can help mitigate these side effects and support your overall health while on the medication.

Nutrient-Dense Foods to Eat with Prednisone

To combat the various side effects of prednisone, your diet should be rich in specific nutrients that help maintain mineral balance, support bone health, and control appetite.

High-Calcium and Vitamin D Foods for Bone Health

Prednisone can decrease calcium absorption, making a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D vital for maintaining bone strength.

Low-fat Dairy: Milk, yogurt, and cheese are excellent sources of calcium. Opt for low-fat versions to control calorie intake.
Calcium-Fortified Foods: Look for fortified cereals, orange juice, and plant-based milks (like almond or soy).
Leafy Greens: Kale, spinach, and broccoli are rich in calcium and other essential vitamins.
Oily Fish: Salmon and sardines are fantastic sources of both calcium and vitamin D.

Lean Protein for Muscle Maintenance

To counteract the protein breakdown associated with prednisone, increasing your intake of lean protein is highly recommended.

Lean Meats and Poultry: Chicken breast, turkey, and lean cuts of beef.
Fish: Tuna, salmon, and other fish provide lean protein and healthy fats.
Legumes and Beans: Lentils, chickpeas, and kidney beans are excellent plant-based protein sources.
Eggs and Tofu: Versatile sources of high-quality protein.

High-Potassium Foods to Fight Fluid Retention

Prednisone can cause the body to lose potassium, exacerbating fluid retention. Eating potassium-rich foods can help balance electrolytes.

Fruits: Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, and dried apricots.
Vegetables: Spinach, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes are packed with potassium.
Beans and Legumes: Lima beans and lentils offer substantial potassium content.
Dairy: Low-fat yogurt and milk are also good sources.

Foods and Drinks to Limit While Taking Prednisone

Controlling certain nutrients is just as important as increasing others. Reducing your intake of the following can help manage side effects more effectively.

High-Sodium (Salt) Foods: High sodium intake worsens fluid retention and can raise blood pressure. Avoid processed foods, fast food, canned soups, deli meats, and salted snacks.
Simple Carbohydrates and Added Sugars: These can spike blood sugar levels, a common side effect of prednisone. Limit sugary cereals, pastries, candies, and sweetened beverages.
High Saturated Fat and Cholesterol: Prednisone can increase cholesterol levels, so it's wise to limit saturated fats. Avoid fried foods, high-fat dairy, and fatty cuts of meat.
Alcohol: Alcohol can amplify prednisone's side effects, including mood swings and stomach irritation.

Comparison of Dietary Choices on Prednisone


Category	Choose Most Often	Choose Less Often
Protein	Lean chicken, fish, legumes, tofu	Processed meats, hot dogs, fatty beef cuts
Dairy	Low-fat milk, plain yogurt, hard cheese	Full-fat dairy, processed cheese spreads
Fruits & Vegetables	Fresh, raw, steamed vegetables, whole fruits	Canned fruits in syrup, fried vegetables
Grains	Whole-grain bread, oats, brown rice	White bread, sugary cereals, cakes, cookies
Drinks	Water, unsweetened tea, low-fat milk	Regular soda, fruit juice, coffee (if causing insomnia)
Snacks	Unsalted nuts, fruit, raw veggies	Chips, crackers with high sodium, candy bars

Meal Planning and Lifestyle Tips

To manage an increased appetite and keep your diet balanced while on prednisone, consider adopting these strategies:

Eat Small, Frequent Meals: This can help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent extreme hunger, reducing the likelihood of overeating.
Use Herbs and Spices: Flavor your food with fresh or dried herbs instead of excess salt to combat fluid retention.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is essential for flushing excess sodium and preventing dehydration.
Read Labels Carefully: Check food labels for sodium, sugar, and saturated fat content. Low-sodium foods contain less than 140 mg per serving.
Stay Active: Regular, moderate exercise can help with weight management, mood stability, and bone health, complementing your dietary changes.

Conclusion

Making mindful dietary choices is a powerful tool for mitigating the side effects of prednisone and supporting your body's health. By prioritizing a diet rich in lean protein, calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and fiber, while consciously limiting sodium, sugar, and saturated fat, you can better manage common issues like weight gain, fluid retention, and bone density loss. As with any medical treatment, it is important to discuss your dietary plan with your healthcare provider to ensure it aligns with your specific needs. By working together, you can optimize your diet to feel your best throughout your prednisone treatment. For more information, consult the dietary guidelines from reputable sources like the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, which offers helpful resources regarding nutrition on corticosteroids.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is not recommended to take prednisone on an empty stomach, as it can cause stomach irritation. It's best to take it with food or a snack to reduce this side effect.

To manage weight gain, focus on a diet rich in high-fiber foods, lean protein, and complex carbohydrates to increase satiety. Limiting calorie-dense foods like high-fat and high-sugar items is also essential.

Yes, prednisone can cause an increase in blood sugar levels. It is important to limit your intake of simple carbohydrates and added sugars, especially if you have diabetes or are at risk.

To help with fluid retention, follow a low-sodium diet and consume foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, apricots, spinach, and baked potatoes.

Yes, it is generally recommended to restrict your intake of high-sodium, high-sugar, and high-fat foods. You should also limit alcohol consumption.

While it doesn't directly interact with prednisone, the caffeine in coffee can worsen side effects like insomnia, high blood pressure, and heartburn. It is often best to moderate your intake.

To combat sugar cravings, opt for healthier, lower-sugar alternatives like fresh fruit, yogurt with fruit, or unsweetened snacks. This helps control blood sugar and calorie intake.