When it comes to optimizing effectiveness and absorption, there are right and wrong foods to take with CBD. Because some foods work better with CBD than others. We’re not talking about flavor here, but rather foods that enhance CBD absorption or the effects.
When it comes to CBD, fat is good
A small 2019 study that looked at how food affects CBD absorption found that taking CBD with food increases absorption, but food higher in fat offers a better absorption boosting effect than those low in fat.
The study included eight adults who were taking CBD prescribed for then epileptic seizures. During the first part of the study, half the participants took their CBD four hours before eating breakfast. The other half took CBD within 30 minutes of eating a high-fat breakfast burrito. Participants switched groups after two weeks.
Also Read: I’ve Used CBD for Years, Here’s What I’ve Learned
Results of blood tests showed that eating the breakfast burrito resulted in an increase in maximum concentration 14 times higher than when taken without food.
Turn up the terpenes
Have you heard of the entourage effect? Researchers believe that certain other compounds enhance the effects of CBD. These include other cannabinoids, like THC – the psychoactive compound in cannabis responsible for the “high” – and terpenes.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis, as well as other plants and citrus rinds. They’re what give different strains of weed their unique aromas. Some terpenes are bioactive, meaning that they have an effect on the body.
While research into terpenes is ongoing, terpenes such as caryophyllene, limonene, pinene, and myrcene have been found to have numerous positive health effects, as well as playing a part in the entourage effect.
If using a CBD-only product, taking it with terpene-containing foods may have added benefit.
Also Read: What is CBG?
Best Foods to Take With CBD:
While many of us would be happy to indulge in high-fat breakfast burritos on the regular, there are several healthy fats you can eat to increase CBD absorption.
Here are five high-fat foods to take with CBD that are better for you than the usual fatty options:
1. Nuts and seeds
2. Avocados
3. Whole eggs
4. Peanut butter—or any nut butter, actually
5. Full-fat yogurt
Throwing terpenes into the mix is easy since they’re found in many herbs and spices that conveniently pair quite well with foods high in those healthy fats.
Also Read: Curaleaf vs Charlotte’s Web – which CBD oil is right for you?
Here are five terpene-rich options to add to your food when taking CBD:
1. Black pepper
2. Cinnamon
3. Olives (and olive oil)
4. Basil
5. Mango
Also Read: 3 Pros and 3 Cons of Intermittent Fasting
To not just leave you with a list of seemingly random foods and spices, here are some ideas of meals and snacks to have with CBD:
Recipe #1: Avocado and egg toast
Before you roll your eyes or gag, avocado toast is delicious with the right combo of herbs and spices.
You can make it with eggs cooked any way you like and add any of the fat and terpene-rich ingredients we’ve listed here.
This New York Times recipe is particularly tasty and packs a whole lot of CBD-enhancing punch thanks to the addition of olive oil and seeds.
Also Read: Is cooking with CBD oil a good or bad idea?
Recipe #2: Mango smoothie
Martha Stewart makes a mean CBD-friendly mango smoothie. No surprise, amiright?
Her recipe includes low-fat yogurt which you can swap out for full-fat. It also includes fresh-squeezed lime juice, so grating in some of the rind to up the terpenes is easy. Mango, obviously, and cinnamon are also in this easy recipe.
Recipe #3: Peanut butter yogurt parfait
You can drop a dollop of your favorite peanut butter into a cup of yogurt and call it a parfait, but a few more additions can take it to another level for your taste buds and CBD.
Add a layer of granola and top with chia seeds and nuts, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Yum!
If you’re not a fan of PB, an almond butter parfait like this one may be more your, er, jam.
And speaking of jam, you can easily make a PB&J parfait with CBD-boosting powers by adding some pure mango preserves. Orange marmalade works, too, since it’s made with orange rind.
Also Read: These are the 20 best foods for women
Recipe #5: Omelets
Adding yogurt to eggs before whisking is a great way to fluff up an omelet. From there, you can add pretty much any ingredient that tickles your fancy.
Try a Greek-style omelet with: Greek yogurt, of course, feta, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, fresh rosemary and basil, black pepper, and lemon zest. Make them how you would your usual omelet and voila!
Bon appétit!
Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a freelance health and lifestyle writer that has written for Healthline, Medical News Today and Verily Magazine just to name a few.
