Plan B, also known as the morning after pill, is an emergency contraception that can be taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. Many people have questions about what you can and cannot do after taking Plan B, especially around eating and drinking. Here is a comprehensive look at whether you can eat and drink after taking Plan B.
Can you eat after taking Plan B?
Yes, you can eat normally after taking Plan B. There are no food or dietary restrictions with Plan B use. The morning after pill contains levonorgestrel, a progestin hormone that works by delaying or preventing ovulation. It does not affect the stomach or digestion, so you do not need to avoid certain foods or change your diet in any way.
In fact, it’s important to eat a normal diet after Plan B to avoid feeling nauseous, which is one of the most common side effects. Eating can help reduce nausea from the medication. Stick to bland, mild, and easy-to-digest foods if you feel queasy.
You should continue to eat a regular, balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Do not try to restrict your caloric intake or make major changes to your diet right after taking emergency contraception.
While Plan B has some gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and abdominal pain in some women, there is no medical reason to avoid foods, stop eating, or fast after taking the pill. Listen to your body, eat when you feel hungry, and choose foods that are comforting if you experience any stomach upset.
Foods to eat after taking Plan B if you feel nauseous
- Ginger – Ginger tea, ginger ale, ginger chews
- Chicken soup or vegetable broth
- Crackers
- Applesauce
- Bananas
- Rice
- Toast
- Oatmeal
- Lemon water
Can you drink after taking Plan B?
Yes, you can and should continue to drink normally after taking Plan B. Drinking enough fluids is important for hydration, reducing side effects, and overall health.
There are no restrictions on drinking any beverages after taking emergency contraception. You can drink water, juice, milk, carbonated beverages, coffee, tea, alcohol and any other liquids you normally consume.
In fact, staying well hydrated may help reduce some side effects like nausea, headaches, and cramping. Aim for at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid daily.
Alcohol does not impact the efficacy of Plan B or cause any harmful interactions. However, alcohol can make side effects like nausea worse. It’s best to avoid heavy or excessive drinking after taking the morning after pill.
Tips for staying hydrated after Plan B
- Drink a glass of water with each dose of the medication.
- Sip water slowly throughout the day.
- Set reminders to drink water if needed.
- Consume drinks with electrolytes if experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.
- Avoid excess caffeine and alcohol which can dehydrate.
- Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables.
- Add lemon, lime, cucumber or fruit to water for flavor.
- Carry a water bottle and take sips frequently.
Are there any eating or drinking restrictions after Plan B?
There are no dietary, food, or beverage restrictions after taking Plan B. You can eat and drink as normal without any concerns. A few general tips include:
- Eat a balanced diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids like water throughout the day.
- Avoid spicy, greasy or hard-to-digest foods if you feel nauseous.
- Limit alcohol, caffeinated drinks and sugary beverages.
- Consider taking Plan B with food if you experience nausea.
- Season bland foods with ginger, mint or lemon if you have an upset stomach.
While there are no dietary prohibitions after taking the morning after pill, listening to your body can help guide your food and beverage choices. Focus on nutrition, hydration and what makes you feel your best as your body processes the medication.
What to eat and drink if you have side effects from Plan B
Some women experience side effects like nausea, headaches, abdominal cramping or fatigue after taking Plan B. While these symptoms usually go away within a day or two, you can minimize them by choosing the right foods and beverages.
If you feel nauseous, stick to bland, mild foods and sip fluids slowly. BRAT diet foods are a good choice – bananas, rice, applesauce and toast are easy on the stomach. Other options include crackers, oatmeal, chicken soup, ginger ale and mint tea.
For headaches or cramping, stay hydrated with electrolyte drinks like sports drinks or coconut water. Eat potassium-rich foods like bananas, avocados and sweet potatoes to replenish electrolyte levels.
Getting enough protein can also help stabilize blood sugar and prevent headaches and fatigue. Lean protein foods include eggs, chicken, fish, Greek yogurt, nuts and seeds.
Limit foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar, as well as caffeinated or carbonated drinks, as these can make some side effects worse. Dehydration can also magnify symptoms, so drink plenty of water and herbal tea.
Foods and drinks for relieving side effects
| Side Effect | Foods & Drinks |
|---|---|
| Nausea | Ginger, mint, chamomile tea; BRAT diet foods; chicken broth; bland crackers |
| Headaches | Bananas, sweet potatoes, spinach; coconut water, electrolyte drinks |
| Cramping | Yogurt, bananas; electrolyte drinks, peppermint tea |
| Fatigue | Eggs, nuts, fish; yogurt, oatmeal; water, green tea |
Does Plan B make you nauseous? What helps?
Nausea is one of the most common side effects of taking Plan B or other emergency contraception pills. About 20% of women experience nausea after taking Plan B.
The high levels of hormones in morning after pills can irritate the stomach and cause nausea and vomiting in some women. Progestin-only pills like Plan B seem more likely to cause nausea than combined pills.
If you feel nauseated after taking Plan B, there are several things that may help:
- Take anti-nausea medication like Dramamine as directed.
- Eat bland, mild, starchy foods like toast, rice, crackers and applesauce.
- Avoid spicy, fatty or acidic foods and drinks.
- Sip water, ginger ale, mint tea or lemon water slowly.
- Get plenty of rest and sleep.
- Distract yourself with a movie, book or light activity.
- Take deep breaths through nausea episodes.
Taking Plan B with food may also help reduce nausea. If vomiting occurs within two hours of taking the pill, call your doctor as you may need to repeat the dose.
The nausea should go away within 24-48 hours. Contact your doctor if severe nausea and vomiting persists, as you may be at risk for dehydration.
Can I drink coffee after taking Plan B? Tea?
You can drink coffee and tea after taking Plan B. Caffeine does not interfere with the effectiveness of emergency contraception pills.
However, caffeine is a stimulant that can worsen side effects like headaches, cramping and nausea in some women who take Plan B. It can also cause jitters, anxiety and trouble sleeping.
To minimize side effects, limit coffee, black tea, energy drinks and other caffeinated beverages to 1-2 servings per day after taking Plan B. Be sure to drink plenty of water as well.
If you experience nausea, vomiting or headaches after taking the morning after pill, avoiding caffeine may help provide symptom relief. You may wish to abstain from caffeine for 1-2 days until side effects subside.
Decaffeinated coffee or herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint and ginger are good alternatives if you want to reduce your caffeine intake but still enjoy a hot beverage after taking Plan B.
Listen to your body and cut back on caffeine if you notice it makes your side effects worse. Stay hydrated with water and non-caffeinated drinks as you recover.
Can I drink alcohol after taking Plan B?
You can consume alcohol after taking Plan B. Drinking in moderation does not impact the effectiveness of emergency contraceptive pills.
However, alcohol can worsen common side effects like nausea, dizziness and headaches from the high hormone levels in morning after pills. Consuming alcohol shortly after taking Plan B may intensify these side effects.
It’s best to avoid heavy or excessive drinking after taking Plan B to reduce the chances of unpleasant side effects. Limit yourself to 1 alcoholic drink per day until side effects resolve.
Stay well hydrated with water, fruit juice or electrolyte drinks when consuming alcohol following emergency contraception use. Alcohol is dehydrating.
If you vomit after drinking alcohol and taking Plan B, call your doctor. You may need to repeat the dose if vomiting occurs within 2 hours of taking the pill.
While occasional light drinking is okay, give your body time to recover before overdoing it with alcohol. Follow up with your doctor if symptoms seem severe or don’t go away.
What should you avoid eating or drinking after taking Plan B?
There are no foods, drinks or dietary restrictions after taking Plan B. However, some items are best limited or avoided in the short term to reduce side effects.
Avoid the following in the 24-48 hours after taking emergency contraception pills to minimize nausea, cramping, bloating and other symptoms:
- Alcohol – Can worsen nausea, vomiting and dehydration.
- Caffeine – Can aggravate headaches, anxiety and trouble sleeping.
- Salty foods – Can cause bloating and fluid retention.
- Spicy foods – Can irritate the stomach.
- Fatty, greasy foods – Can worsen nausea and stomach upset.
- Sugary foods and drinks – Can cause blood sugar crashes and fatigue.
Listen to your body and avoid anything that seems to make your side effects feel worse. Focus on hydration and mild, easy-to-digest foods and beverages until symptoms resolve.
When can I resume my normal diet after taking Plan B?
Most women can resume their normal diet within 24-48 hours after taking Plan B. Any side effects typically go away within a few days.
If you have nausea, vomiting or other stomach issues after taking the morning after pill, stick to bland foods and plenty of liquids. Gradually reintroduce regular foods after about 48 hours or once your symptoms improve.
If headaches, fatigue or cramping are your main symptoms, continue eating a balanced diet and make sure to get plenty of water, fruit, vegetables, protein and whole grains as you recover.
Avoid heavy meals, excess salt and sugar, caffeine and alcohol in the short term while symptoms persist. But you can generally resume your regular eating and drinking habits within a day or two after taking emergency contraception.
However, contact your healthcare provider if you experience severe, persistent nausea and vomiting that prevents food and beverage intake for longer than 48 hours after taking Plan B.
Tips for resuming your normal diet after Plan B
- Reintroduce bland foods first like bananas, rice, toast if you had nausea.
- Gradually work up to spicy, acidic and fatty foods over 2-3 days.
- Combat headaches by staying hydrated and getting electrolytes.
- Treat cramping with yogurt, bananas and chamomile tea.
- Boost energy with protein, whole grains and healthy fats.
- Limit caffeine, alcohol and salt initially.
- Focus on fruits, veggies, lean protein and water.
Can I take Plan B on an empty stomach?
Plan B can be taken on an empty stomach, but taking it with food may help reduce side effects like nausea.
Emergency contraception pills like Plan B contain a high dose of hormones. Taking them on an empty stomach increases the risk of stomach irritation and nausea.
To minimize nausea, it is generally recommended to take Plan B with food. Eating something with a little protein and fat when you swallow the tablet can line your stomach and help your body absorb the medication more gradually.
If you start to feel ill after taking the morning after pill on an empty stomach, eat some crackers or plain toast. Small, bland snacks can help settle nausea and vomiting.
While Plan B is effective even if you don’t eat before taking it, having some food in your stomach can really help reduce those unpleasant side effects. Choose whatever mild foods sound good if nausea strikes.
Conclusion
There are no dietary restrictions after taking Plan B. You can eat and drink normally, but a few recommendations can help minimize side effects:
- Eat bland, BRAT diet foods if you feel nauseous.
- Stay hydrated and sip fluids slowly.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol temporarily.
- Avoid heavy, spicy or greasy foods initially.
- Eat potassium-rich foods to reduce headaches.
- Take Plan B with a small snack to prevent nausea.
Most women can resume their regular diet within 48 hours of taking morning after pill as side effects resolve. Focus on rest, nutrition and hydration as your body processes the medication.
