What Are the Best Foods to Eat When You Use CBD?

Forbes reported that the CBD market could surpass the $20 billion mark in 2024, with more users confident of CBD as positive results emerge. However, multiple factors, including the type and how much CBD you take, influence your body’s reactions.

Recent discovery shows that taking CBD oil, capsules or gummies with food enhances its results, but the type of food matters!

In this article, we explore the relationship between CBD and various dietary choices. Read on to understand the foods complementing CBD intake and maximise its therapeutic potential.

Understanding CBD and its Bioavailability

The bioavailability of CBD is its ability to be absorbed and used after ingesting it. When you take CBD orally, the digestion and metabolism process reduces the CBD content, affecting its bioavailability. So, being a fat-soluble compound, CBD needs high-fat foods to increase its absorption rate, as results from a University of Minnesota experiment found.

Different factors, including diet, typically determine how CBD works in your body. So, if you find a food that CBD works better within your body, maintain it for consistent results.

Best Foods to Take When Using CBD

Among the most common foods are:

High-Fat Meals

CBD’s low bioavailability is because, being a fat-soluble substance, a better portion is broken down in the enzymes before systematic circulation in the bloodstream.

So, think of foods with emulsified fats such as whole eggs, coconut, oil, some meat, and certain fish, including sardines, salmon, mackerel, trout and herring.

You may also incorporate peanut butter, avocados, and full-fat yoghurt in your breakfast. Consider trying healthier nuts like almonds and walnuts for their plant-based protein and fatty input on the menu.

Foods Rich in Terpenes

Scientists also found THC (the psychoactive compound) and terpenes are among other compounds that enhance the effects of CBD by delivering the entourage effect. While terpenes are the aromatic compound in cannabis, they are also present in other plants, such as turmeric and black pepper.

Turmeric contains curcumin, and in black pepper is piperine, which enhances CBD's bioavailability.

Although research on terpenes effects is ongoing, here are some examples of bioactive terpenes. Pinene is in pine nuts; myrcene is in thyme or lemon grass; limonene is in oranges, limes, and grapefruit; caryophyllene is in citrus fruits, pepper, and rosemary. When taken with CBD, these can bind to specific receptors and exert physiological effects with various benefits.

Other terpene-rich foods include cinnamon, mango, olives, apples, and basil.

Baked Goodies

If you can bake cookies, bread, brownies, or muffins, you can mix CBD oil or powder into the dough or batter with other wet ingredients.

Baking CBD oil into your dough not only offers convenience, it masks the CBD taste, offers you a discreet way to take the CBD, and ensures consistent dosing of your CBD.

Importance of a Healthy Diet When Taking CBD

You must maintain a healthy diet to boost your body’s ability to absorb CBD and other nutrients. This means taking fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while staying hydrated. Other reasons why you should take a healthy diet include:

Optimised Absorption

Nutrient-dense foods equip the body with the necessary building blocks to ensure efficient metabolism and cellular uptake. CBD is then effectively absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body.

Supporting ECS Functionality

A healthy, balanced diet provides the necessary nutrients for ECS synthesis and signalling, ensuring overall well-being. For instance, antioxidants from fruits and vegetables are helpful for ECS support by reducing oxidative stress.

In the long run, an effective functioning ECS system means enhanced physiological processes upon interaction with CBD.

Promoting Gut Health

The gut microbiome plays essential roles in digestion and nutrient absorption. A healthy diet rich in fibre, fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods ensures the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. These maintain a diverse and balanced gut microbiome, contributing to improved bioavailability of CBD.

Enhancing Overall Wellbeing

Adopting a well-balanced diet is important not only for physical health but also for your overall wellbeing. It also contributes to improved mental and emotional well-being, therefore complementing the therapeutic effects of CBD.

Recipes and Meal Ideas to Incorporate with CBD

Beyond the stated foods and spices, here are some meals you can have with CBD:

Smoothies and Juices

Blend CBD oil into your smoothies or CBD ingredients into freshly squeezed juices for a refreshing beverage. Whether fruit or vegetable smoothies, you can blend in a low-fat or high-fat ingredient based on your dietary needs.

Pasta and Grain Dishes

You can add CBD oil to cooked pasta, rice, or other grains and serve with spices or vegetables for a flavourful and satisfying meal. Whether serving pasta as a primary or side dish, mix CBD with pesto for an enhanced experience without using much heat, maintaining maximum CBD potency.

Salad Dressings and Sauces

Mix CBD oil with olive oil, vinegar or any ingredients for flavourful salad dressings. You can create CBD-infused dip sauces for vegetables or grilled meat such as chicken, beef, pork or fish with any salad recipe.

Infused Beverages

Stir CBD oil into your hot chocolates, herbal tea or refreshing drink for a relaxing experience. In the hot afternoons, iced tea or fruit-infused water infused with CBD gives the best refreshing experience.

Breakfast Cereal

Breakfast cereals often come with added vitamins and minerals, guaranteeing a daily boost in your health. Infusing CBD Oil into these means you get the extra nutrients with a wellness boost.

Honey

Honey stands out for its nutritional, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and moisturising properties. Mixing it with CBD oil means zero oily aftertaste with guaranteed wellness benefits. You can use the mix for your CBD skincare routine or as a valuable addition to your balanced diet.

Foods to Avoid When Taking CBD

CBD is found to be a safe compound, so it does not interact negatively with any foods. If you have no time to prepare food before taking CBD, you may take advantage of sublingual absorption. This means taking CBD under the tongue, bypassing the bioavailability effect if taken on an empty stomach.

While you can take CBD with or without food, taking it on an empty stomach delays the absorption process. So, take CBD when the stomach already has something to digest.

How to Maximise the Benefits of CBD with Food

For a beneficial CBD nutrition:

Start with a balanced diet. This means before adding CBD oil into the recipe or CBD deserts on the menu, ensure you have a well-balanced diet. This means consuming plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and proteins.

Introduce CBD gradually. If you are just starting on CBD, go for low-dosage CBD products with medium strength. This is because your “sweet spot” for CBD varies from one user, so you have to try different doses to find the best for optimal results.

Look for the right CBD product. CBD is available in multiple products and varying types. But for your first experience, get CBD oil. This is readily available and gives you the flexibility to adjust to a precise dosage.

Use CBD-infused ingredients. CBD-infused ingredients like oils or tinctures can be added directly to your favourite recipes. This allows you the convenience of enjoying it with your meals.

Be mindful of the temperature. CBD gets degraded at high temperatures. So consider using it in dishes that don’t require heating beyond 160°C. Such recipes include salad dressings, smoothies and some no-bake treats.

Experiment with Timing. Pay attention to how CBD reacts at different times of the day. For some, CBD-infused beverages are most effective when taken in the morning. Others prefer CBD capsules, CBD-infused smoothies, or water with their lunch at midday, while others feel CBD bath bombs most when added to their night routine. 

Additionally, some studies show that taking CBD 30 to 60 minutes after eating gives the best results, while others show that taking it shortly before or after food is the best. So, experiment with either of these for a perfect timeframe that delivers the best results.

Does CBD Make You Hungry?

As a standalone, CBD does not induce hunger effects because it lacks the psychoactive effects you would get from THC. So, whether you take CBD oil sublingually or add CBD powder to your recipe, you won’t necessarily feel hunger-strike vibes.

Even then, individual body composition varies. Studies show that CBD may have boosting effects on your appetite. This, however, is not a direct effect after ingesting it. CBD works with the endocannabinoid receptors to harmonise various body functions.

So, depending on the reasons for taking CBD, it may help the body reach a specific balance in physiological functions. This means, through its effect on the brain, CBD may help encourage healthier eating habits rather than promoting immediate hunger.

Why Take CBD After a Meal?

Other than individual metabolism rates, many factors determine when you take CBD; even then, we recommend it after meals.

Here is why:

Digestion of CBD alone is less efficient, so there need to be fatty foods to act as carriers for efficient digestion, hence fast absorption.

Additionally, food in your stomach before taking CBD means extended effects. This is because as the digestion process continues, the CBD is released slowly into the bloodstream.

Some people experience gastrointestinal issues and other common stomach problems when taking CBD on an empty stomach. Therefore, the presence of food in the stomach anytime you take CBD provides a protective lining for the stomach, reducing the likelihood of irritation.

CBD oil may have an overpowering taste that may only be pleasing for some. So, taking it post-meals may mask its bitter taste, making it enjoyable to consume.

A post-meal CBD consumption routine also creates a consistent and predictable dosage schedule. This makes it easier to remember to take it, especially amid a busy schedule, making it easier to integrate it into any lifestyle.

FAQs

How should I take CBD with food?

You can mix CBD oil or powder into salad dressing or beverages, blend it into smoothies, and stir it into soups. Experiment with different methods to find one that works conveniently for you.

Are there foods I should avoid when taking CBD?

There are no foods to avoid when taking CBD except foods with excessive sugars and unhealthy fats for a healthy balance. But ensure you take a well-balanced diet to enhance CBD’s therapeutic effects.

What are some foods that pair well with CBD?

Foods that pair well with CBD include omega-3-rich foods like fish, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, and magnesium-rich foods like spinach. You can also take probiotic foods like yoghurt and healthy fatty foods like olive oil and avocado.