Food, in my experience, has little effect on benzodiazepine absorption. However, I don't know the actual clinical answer. It probably varies between individuals, and between different benzos. If you take it on an empty stomache and eat an hour later, I think you're fine as it's likely absorbed by then. If you eat before, maybe just a small snack, I think you're fine, maybe even better off, as with some opiates. In my experience, eating after dosing Xanax sort of ' kicked it in' more. Finally, smoking marijuana with Xanax can cause some nice synergy and might make up for any Xanax buzz you may or may not lose from food (IF you smoke, I am not saying start smoking pot).