10 Things to Avoid after Meals
Edited By: Stephanie Dawson
• Smoking
Cigarettes are harmful for you not just after your meal but before the meal too. A cigarette contains as many as 60 carcinogens, which are the elements that cause cancer. It also contains nicotine and tar. Smoking a cigarette right after your meal is equivalent to smoking 10 cigarettes which increases the risk of cancer. Cigarette also causes lung cancer, emphysema, and many more.
• Fruit
Eating fruit after a meal causes it to get stuck in the stomach with other foods so it does not reach the intestines before it spoils which can cause bloating and GI distress. The best time to eat fruit is in the morning, when your body can best use the nutrients.
• Hot tea
Tea contains substances that can absorb the essence of your food. Tannin, a compound found in tea, may affect the absorption of protein. When we drink tea, the elements present in the tea inhibit iron absorption which can lead to iron deficiency or anemia.
• Cold water
Ice water does not let the food digest properly because it causes clumping of food. Hot water helps absorb nutrients better.
• Sleeping
When we lie down some digestive juices from your stomach flow back to the esophagus because of gravitational force, due to its acidic nature it can burn the inner layer of the esophagus.
• Walking
Walking after 10-20 minutes of your meal is good for your health and helps to burn energy, before that can interfere with food absorption.
• Bathing
As we bathe the blood flow increases to our hands and feet which causes less blood flow around the stomach and weakens the digestive system.
• Dancing
Moving or dancing too much after your meal will make it tough to absorb the nutrients in the intestine.
• Loosening the Belt
Eat only to the extent that is comfortable without loosening your belt.
• Drinking Water Before Meals
It delays the entry of nutrients the body needs.
