Sauerkraut, chocolate, sour cream: what foods will have to be abandoned if antidepressants are prescribed

The list of drugs that are not compatible with any food is quite long. And antidepressants are not excluded from it: these drugs also have a gastronomical stop list.

Many patients note that doctors prescribing medication for depression do not always warn that dietary changes need to be made. Of course, each specific treatment regimen for mental disorders requires detailed individual consultation. But the most common exception recommendations are for the following products.

If antidepressants containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are prescribed by a doctor, the following items should be excluded from the menu:

Also, when taking MAOIs, you should minimize the consumption of dairy products, especially yogurt and sour cream. If these restrictions are neglected when taking antidepressants, a sharp increase in pressure is possible.

The same consequence and an additional severe headache can be obtained if, while taking antidepressants, you do not deprive yourself of potassium-rich foods (for example, bananas). In addition, throughout the course of treatment for depression, it is often recommended to give up chocolate (and cocoa), smoked meats and avocados.

So, if you’ve been given your first prescription for antidepressants or have switched medications, be sure to check with your doctor about any dietary restrictions you need to be prepared for. It is important to note that the treatment not only benefited the psyche, but also did not cause consequences for other body systems.