10 Things You Should Never Do Right After Eating (According to Science) & You Actually Should
10 Things You Should Never Do Right After Eating (According to Science) & You Actually Should
Don’t Fall For These Bad Habits
What you do right after a meal can have a greater impact on your health than you realize. Some common habits, such as lying down or taking a shower, could actually disrupt your digestion and leave you feeling bloated or uncomfortable. With that in mind, here are the dos and don’ts of after eating.
1. Taking a Shower
Showering immediately after a meal may not appear to be harmful. The activity of bathing does not directly harm the digestive organs, but it diverts the blood supply to your skin from the digestive system to help control the temperature of the body. Digestion is a very energy-intensive process, and a reduction in blood supply may slow down this process, which can lead to indigestion or stomach ache.
2. Napping
After a large meal, it is natural to feel the urge to take a nap, but if you lie down, the acid in your stomach may rise to the esophagus and cause heartburn. It also stops the digestion process, so your body doesn't digest your food properly. It is better to keep your body in an upright position for a while.
3. Eating Fruits
Even though fruits are extremely healthy, they shouldn't be consumed right after a meal. The sugars and fibers in fruit mix with other foods in your stomach, which slows nutrient absorption and can cause bloating. For the best results, eat fruit on an empty stomach or 30–60 minutes after a main meal.
4. Exercising
Exercise is bad for digestion, especially right after a meal. Vigorous physical activity can upset your stomach and cause nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. During exercise, blood is shunted away from the digestive system to the muscles. Allow at least one hour after eating before engaging in strenuous exercise.
5. Drinking Water
Consuming a large quantity of water immediately after a meal can dilute the digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid in your stomach, leading to slower digestion. This may result in bloating, acidity, and discomfort. It's okay to sip small amounts, but try to avoid a big gulp until your food is partially digested.
6. Tea or Coffee
Lots of people like to have a cup of tea or coffee after a meal, but these drinks contain substances that inhibit iron absorption. This means that you're missing out on some of the nutrition from your food if you drink them right away, especially if your meal is rich in iron. The best option is to wait an hour for your tea or coffee.
7. Lying Down
Jumping into bed or lying down after a meal can lead to acid reflux and heartburn. Gravity helps prevent acid from rising up. Sitting or standing for 20–30 minutes post-meal can help food digest. If resting, lie in a reclined chair instead of flat.
8. Reading
You might think reading after eating is harmless, but it demands blood flow to your eyes and brain, which competes with digestion. This can slow down the process, leaving you with a heavy or uneasy feeling in your stomach. Relax and let your body concentrate on digesting before picking up a book.
9. Fast-Paced Walking
Moderate walking is fine, but avoid brisk or power walking directly after a meal. This diverts blood away from digestion, and your muscles start competing with your stomach for blood to metabolize the food. It can lead to nausea or a stomach ache. Don't go for a power walk or heavy exercise for 20–30 minutes after a meal.
10. Overeating
Eating too much food overloads the digestive system, leading to bloating, indigestion, and discomfort. Overeating can strain the stomach and slow nutrient absorption, making you feel sluggish. To maintain healthy digestion, eat moderate portions and heed your body's hunger cues.
Now that we talked about 10 things you should never do, here are 10 that will help you manage overeating and digestion.
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1. A Gentle Walk
Walking after meals doesn't need to be a strenuous endeavor. You just need to get the blood circulating and get your GI tract moving to process all the fuel your body just took in. The light stroll also prevents that slothful feeling, the sluggishness after a big meal.
2. Chewing Properly
Chewing food thoroughly is one of the easiest ways to help the digestive process. Breaking it down into smaller pieces makes it easier for your stomach to break it down further and extract nutrients. It also takes time to chew, which can help you feel more satisfied and full.
3. Natural Remedies
Drink warm water or herbal tea for relief after eating. Ginger, fennel, or peppermint tea will help minimize bloating and stomach pain. These home remedies aid in digestion naturally and gently.
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4. Lower Stress
Extreme stress can negatively impact digestion by slowing the transit time of food through the GI tract. Deep breathing, meditation, or simply resting after a meal allows your body to concentrate on digesting optimally. A relaxed state of mind promotes better absorption and less discomfort.
5. Stretch It Out
Light stretching can help with discomfort or a feeling of fullness after a meal, and can also help food move through the digestive tract. Gentle stretches, restorative yoga, or deep breathing practices can all aid the digestive process without necessarily requiring you to invert your body. High-intensity exercise should be avoided.
6. Be Kind to Yourself
Self-compassion after eating keeps you in a positive relationship with your digestion and food. Stressing over overeating one meal will make it harder for your body to digest. Remember that progress comes from repeating small habits, not being perfect each time.
7. Mindful Eating
Mindful eating means being aware of how your body feels. Take note of your emotions after you eat. Are you full, satisfied, or still hungry? Did the food taste good? Asking these questions will keep you from overeating and aid digestion.
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8. Eat if Hungry
Do not ignore your body's hunger cues after a large meal. Restricting calories or starving yourself will not counteract overeating and can result in an unhealthy relationship with food. Listen to your body and eat when it is ready, and trust intuitive, well-balanced eating.
9. Wear Light Clothes
Skinny jeans or tight shirts can increase your body temperature and exert pressure on your stomach, making it difficult to digest food. Wearing comfortable and loose-fitting clothing enables your body to metabolize your meals properly and can even promote better sleep after a night dinner. Comfort is conducive to digestion and good health.
10. Brush Your Teeth
Brushing teeth after eating is one of the ways to prevent bad breath. This practice is important as it also helps minimize the risk of developing plaque as well as cavities. Clearing the mouth of any leftover food helps to promote not only oral health but digestive health as well.
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