Digestion: 7 Mistakes To Avoid After Meals
We all have our little post-meal rituals, such as taking a nap, drinking tea, or smoking a cigarette… Unfortunately, some seemingly harmless habits are bad for digestion. We invite you to discover 7 mistakes not to make after meals.
Go to bed right after eating.
Bad news for those who enjoy a nap during lunch break! Lying down just after eating hinders digestion and promotes gastroesophageal reflux.
The issue is not so much with the nap, which can have a restorative effect, but rather with the lying down position of the sleeper. When you lie down, it's harder for food to move down into the intestines.
Not only does the food bolus linger longer in the stomach, slowing digestion, but the lying position also encourages the rise of gastric juices into the esophagus and pharynx.
Lying down for a quick snooze is therefore the first of the 7 mistakes to avoid after meals. It's better to wait at least two hours after eating before going to bed at night or taking a short nap in the afternoon.
Stay seated after eating.
Since you shouldn't lie down right after eating, you might think it's better to stay seated, working on your computer, reading, or watching TV. Unfortunately, sitting for long periods is another one of the 7 mistakes to avoid after meals.
This position does not promote digestion because it compresses the stomach, especially when you lean slightly towards a screen or a book or slump in your seat or couch after eating.
The moral of the story: it's best to remain standing, to clear the table and do the dishes, and then follow up with a short digestive walk of 10 to 15 minutes.
Even at the office, avoid sitting at your workstation immediately after eating. Take advantage of your lunch break to walk after the meal and get some fresh air before getting back to work.
Engage in physical activity after meals.
Caution! The previous advice does not mean that you should go jogging or do a fitness session after eating. Physical activity is one of the 7 mistakes to avoid after meals.
Exercising after eating prevents the digestive system from properly absorbing nutrients. Indeed, digestion is an effort that requires energy from the body... and so does exercise! That's why you should not ask your body to do both at the same time.
If you think it's good to exercise after a heavy meal to burn calories, be aware that this is a bad idea. It is very likely that you will experience discomfort, gastroesophageal reflux, or stomach pains. After a full meal, it is advisable to wait at least 3 hours before engaging in sports.
Swimming after eating.
The same rule applies to swimming in the sea or pool: it is better to wait two to three hours after eating. It's not a myth!
Swimming is one of the 7 mistakes not to make after meals. During digestion, our body is already using energy and our body temperature rises. This phenomenon increases the risk of thermal shock and hydrocution when swimming in cold water.
Moreover, since the body is already using some of its energy for digestion, there is a greater risk of cramps and discomfort in the water when swimming at that time.
Smoking a cigarette after the meal.
Many smokers enjoy the cigarette they have with their coffee at the end of a meal. Unfortunately, smoking is one of the 7 mistakes not to make after eating.
This little ritual is very dangerous for health because it is equivalent to smoking several cigarettes at once. Numerous scientific studies have proven that this cigarette is one of the most harmful for smokers, after the morning one.
After a meal, nicotine enters the digestive tract and mixes with the oxygen in the blood, which significantly increases the risk of cancer. To limit this risk, it is advisable to wait at least 1 hour and 30 minutes after meals before lighting a cigarette.
Drink tea at the end of the meal.
Some people who don't like coffee prefer to drink a cup of tea at the end of the meal to aid digestion. However, in reality, this is a bad idea!
Even though tea has health benefits, it should be avoided after eating. It is one of the 7 mistakes not to make after meals because the tannins in tea inhibit certain digestive enzymes.
Furthermore, these same tannins hinder the absorption of iron found in foods. To better absorb iron and digest more effectively, it is advisable to consume this beverage outside of meal times. Whether you are a fan of Gunpowder, Darjeeling, or Earl Grey, drink your favorite tea at least one hour before or after meals.
Chew gum after a meal.
When you don't have the opportunity to brush your teeth, you might be tempted to chew gum to maintain fresh breath after eating.
However, despite what sugar-free gum advertisements may claim, this is one of the 7 mistakes to avoid after meals! The chewing that gum requires will cause you to swallow a large amount of air, leading to an increased risk of burping and flatulence.
If you don't expel the air you've swallowed, it's no better for your health! You could suffer from slowed digestion, gastroesophageal reflux, and bloating…
