Based on FDA | Do I need to avoid eating pork or bacon while taking sertraline?

You can eat pork, including bacon, while taking sertraline, and most people do not need to change their diet for this medication. Sertraline (an SSRI) does not have the tyramine‑related food restrictions seen with older antidepressants called MAOIs. ^[1] Sertraline’s official consumer guidance notes that you can “continue your normal diet” unless your clinician advises otherwise. ^[1]

Why the confusion happens

Some antidepressants require avoiding high‑tyramine foods such as aged cheeses and certain cured or smoked meats (for example, pepperoni, salami, and some types of bacon) because they can dangerously raise blood pressure when combined with MAOIs. This tyramine warning applies to MAOIs not to sertraline. ^{[2] [3]} High‑tyramine lists often include cured or smoked meats like bacon, which is why you may see generic cautions online; but these cautions are specific to MAOI therapy. ^{[2] [4]}

What this means for bacon and processed meats on sertraline

• No specific restriction with sertraline: Eating pork or bacon is generally acceptable when you are taking sertraline. ^[1]
• Tyramine limits are only for MAOIs: The need to avoid or limit cured/aged meats (including certain bacons) is a precaution for people on MAOIs, not for those on SSRIs like sertraline. ^{[2] [4]}
• General health considerations still apply: Processed meats (like bacon) can be high in sodium and saturated fat; if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or are following a heart‑healthy diet, it may be sensible to limit them for overall health, independent of sertraline use. (General nutrition advice; no drug‑specific citation required)

Practical tips

• Moderation is fine: If you enjoy bacon, having it occasionally while on sertraline is typically fine. There is no evidence that typical dietary pork or bacon interacts with sertraline in a clinically significant way. ^[1]
• Watch alcohol and certain supplements instead: Sertraline is more likely to interact with specific medications and supplements (for example, St. John’s wort, NSAIDs like ibuprofen, and others) rather than with foods like bacon. Discuss nonprescription products with your clinician or pharmacist to avoid interactions. ^{[5] [6]}
• If you ever switch to an MAOI: If your treatment plan changes to an MAOI in the future, you would then need to follow a low‑tyramine diet that limits aged and cured meats. Your clinician would give you a clear, up‑to‑date food list in that situation. ^{[2] [3]}

Key takeaways

• Sertraline does not require tyramine food restrictions; you can maintain your normal diet. ^[1]
• Avoiding high‑tyramine foods (including some cured meats like bacon) is an MAOI‑specific precaution, not a sertraline requirement. ^{[2] [4]}
• Focus on medication and supplement interactions with sertraline rather than food bans. ^{[5] [6]}

If you’ve been told to limit certain foods for reasons other than sertraline (such as blood pressure or cholesterol), it’s still wise to follow that advice.