Health & Wellness

11 Foods to Avoid while on Stelara

Are you looking for foods to avoid while on Stelara? When it comes to managing autoimmune conditions such as psoriasis or Crohn’s disease, medications like Stelara (ustekinumab) play a crucial role in controlling symptoms and improving overall quality of life.

Diet and habits can significantly impact how well you feel and how well your treatment works.

In this article, we’ll go into detail about how to manage your autoimmune illness while taking Stelara through eating habits.

Although no specific foods interact with your medication directly, making wise dietary decisions can help you get the most out of your therapy and reduce any risks of complications or side effects.

Foods to Avoid while on Stelara

Here we have listed what foods to avoid while on Stelara:

Foods to Avoid while on Stelara
Foods to Avoid while on Stelara

1. Alcohol

It’s essential to be aware that the liver metabolizes alcohol and Stelara. While enjoying a drink can be fun, drinking while on Stelara may put additional stress on your liver, which could interfere with the metabolism of the medication or even affect its efficacy.

Additionally, alcohol can irritate your gastrointestinal tract, which could cause issues for those taking Stelara to manage conditions like Crohn’s disease – leading to symptoms such as diarrhea and stomach pain.

2. Sugary Foods

High-sugar diets have been linked to increased inflammation, which can worsen symptoms associated with these conditions.

Eating a balanced and healthy diet is vital for controlling inflammation and managing weight – essential factors in keeping autoimmune symptoms at bay!

3. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits are acidic and can be a delicious addition to your diet; it’s essential to keep in mind that if you have certain gastrointestinal conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, these acidic foods can irritate the digestive tract.

Additionally, if you’re taking any medications, it is also important to note that some of them require specific pH levels for proper absorption, and citrus fruits may alter this due to their acidity, which could affect how well these medications work.

4. Artificial sweeteners

It’s important to avoid artificial sweeteners, as they can cause additional gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea.

Stelara is an excellent medication for treating these conditions, but avoiding artificial sweeteners may help minimize additional digestive discomfort and make managing your condition easier.

5. Red Meat

Red meat is an excellent source of protein; it’s essential that we know that red meat is often higher in saturated fats than other sources like poultry or fish.

High saturated fat intake has been linked with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. It may not be ideal if someone has certain autoimmune conditions, which could lead to further cardiovascular complications.

6. Refined carbohydrates

I know that we all love to indulge in white bread, pasta, and sugary snacks occasionally. But did you know that these refined carbohydrates can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels?

High blood sugar levels can cause inflammation, worsening existing autoimmune symptoms. That’s why we must ensure our diets are rich in fiber-filled foods like fruits and vegetables. This will help us manage digestive issues associated with autoimmune conditions such as Crohn’s disease or IBS.

7. Caffeine

I wanted to let you know that if any of us have an autoimmune condition like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, we may be more sensitive to caffeine than others, which can worsen our digestive symptoms.

This could mean increased diarrhea or abdominal discomfort after drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages.

Additionally, caffeine is a stimulant and can disrupt our sleep patterns – but getting enough sleep is vital for managing chronic conditions effectively. Just thought it was worth mentioning in case we need to be extra mindful when consuming caffeinated beverages!

8. High-sodium foods

Stelara (ustekinumab) should be avoided with high-sodium foods. Excess sodium can cause the body to retain water, leading to edema (swelling). Fluid retention can be uncomfortable and may worsen symptoms in some autoimmune conditions.

9. Processed foods

Awareness of the ingredients that can harm our health is essential. Many processed foods contain high levels of refined sugars, unhealthy fats (such as trans fats and saturated fats), and additives that can promote inflammation.

This is especially concerning for individuals with autoimmune conditions since inflammation can exacerbate symptoms and counteract the therapeutic effects of medications like Stelara.

10. Gluten

Stelara is not known to interact with gluten; some individuals with these conditions may also have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. For those people, avoiding gluten is essential for managing their autoimmune condition effectively.

11. Fried foods

We all love to indulge in fried foods occasionally, but unfortunately, they can be bad for our health. Fried foods are cooked in oils that contain trans fats and saturated fats, which can lead to inflammation throughout the body.

Those with autoimmune conditions like psoriasis could potentially increase their risk of cardiovascular disease due to the unhealthy fat content in fried food.

12. Dairy Products

I know many of us are lactose intolerant and have difficulty digesting the sugar in milk and dairy products. Although Stelara doesn’t directly interact with lactose, it’s still important to be aware that consuming dairy can lead to digestive discomfort, such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s important to remember that while no specific foods directly interact with Stelara (ustekinumab), living a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a thoughtful diet is vital for individuals with autoimmune conditions like psoriasis and Crohn’s disease.

Eating nutritious meals full of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can benefit your overall health. Don’t forget to stay hydrated, too! Taking care of yourself should always be your top priority – so ensure you’re eating well-balanced meals daily!

Be Sure to Read

  1. Foods to Avoid while Taking Enbrel
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  4. How to fade ringworm scars
  5. Foods to avoid while taking rifaximin

References

  1. Efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in adolescents
  2. Ustekinumab ( stelara) in Crohn’s Disease
  3. Ustekinumab: An evidence-based review of its effectiveness in the treatment of psoriasis

Dr Maria

MD. Board Certified physician. Fellowship In Family Medicine UK. 8 years of medical experience in Lifestyle-related health disorders. Graduated from AIIMS – All India Institute Of Medical Science, INDIA

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