My favourite holiday is Thanksgiving because of the amount of delicious food that is cooked and served. Nice roasted turkey, garlic mash potatoes, stuffing, the list goes on. But after a heavy meal like that, all I want to do is lay down for a nap. But a nap and a few other things may not be such a good idea to do after eating a large meal. Below you will find the top things to avoid doing after eating.
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Laying Down: As I just mentioned, the first thing I want to do when I finish eating a big meal is lay down. But this can lead to bloating, heartburn and discomfort. According to a study conducted at the University of Ioannina Medical School, those who wait a longer period of time to go to sleep after eating had a lower risk of having a stroke. Researchers concluded that people should wait at least a couple of hours after eating a meal before they go to bed.
Drinking Tea: Sometimes after a large meal, we have dessert, which usually consists of a cup of tea as well. Though this may sound nice, the convener of the Dietary Guidelines Committee, Dr. D. Raghunatha Rao says that tea should be avoided one hour before and one hour after eating a meal. The reason is that tea has tannin in it which can interfere with iron absorption.
Eating Fruit: There really is no bad time to eat fruit; you’re doing your body a favour each time you consume fruits. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some consequences. According to Dr. Melina Jampolis, physician and nutrition specialist for CNN.com, the fruit has almost three times the calorie count of vegetables. She adds that consuming more than ½ a cup of it per day could cause weight gain. It also can cause you to get into the habit of eating a snack after eating a meal, which may also cause you to ignore your fullness signals from your body.
SpeedKingz/shutterstock.comWalking: Many people say that as soon as you finish a meal, the best thing to do is go for a walk. Part of that statement is true and part of it is not. Walking directly after a meal can cause acid reflux and indigestion. But according to researchers in the Department of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina, you should wait at least 30 minutes before taking a walk. They added that after waiting for 30 minutes; people should walk no longer than 10 minutes.
MorakotKawinchan/shutterstock.comTaking A Shower: If you’re thinking of freshening up after eating, you may want to rethink that according to Ecooe. In order for food to digest, your body needs energy and blood flow toward the stomach. After eating, there is a lot of blood circulating to the intestines to help with digestion. But when you take a shower immediately after eating, the brain will order the blood to rush to your hands, feet, legs, and arms to moderate the temperature. This means there will be limited blood flow for digestion.
As you can see, a big meal can be full of protein and nutrients, which are beneficial to your body. But you can also ensure that your body is healthy by exercising daily and ensuring that you have a healthy diet. If you combine those two key elements with the “do not” you just learned about, you’re on the right track to maintaining a healthy body.
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Disclaimer: Bestie does not provide medical advice,
