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11 habits you MUST avoid after a meal

TNN | Last updated on - Jan 30, 2019, 15:24 IST

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Don’t do these things after your meal

Food is the perfect reflection of cultures, cravings, and habits. And when it comes to food habits, it directly relates to your health and well-being. Following good food habits make you healthier; while bad habits can make you fall sick. Today, we are going to talk about 11 such habits that we often fall prey to without realizing that they are not good for us. Read to know about the habits that you need to avoid after a meal to lead a healthy lifestyle.

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No to cold water

We know that drinking enough water is essential for proper digestion, but drinking chilled water right after a meal might lead to clumping of food and delay the digestion process. Experts suggest drinking lukewarm or room temperature water after 45 minutes of a meal.

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Avoid work out

When you perform any rigorous physical activity right after having the meal, it actually increases the pressure on the digestive system and slows down the digestion process. The division of blood away from digestive organ is the reason behind it. An increase in blood flow might cause vomiting, puffiness and loose motions.

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Say NO to tea

Amidst all the conflicts that whether sipping tea after a meal is good or bad, it has been found that milk teas inhibit the absorption of iron in the body, while green and herbal teas reduce the chances of gas formation.

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Do not relax your stomach

After overeating, we all have a tendency of loosening the belt or trouser button. It is suggested to avoid the practice as it affects the ongoing process of the intestine and may cause acute pain in the lower abdomen.

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Smoking is injurious

We all know that smoking is injurious to health. But, smoking right after a meal is even more dangerous and may lead to irritable bowel syndrome and cause ulcerative colitis.

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Avoid sleeping

After a stressful day and a delicious meal, the urge to sleep is irresistible. But, it is suggested to avoid hitting the bed immediately after a meal, as it might result in heartburns, snoring and sleep apnea.

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Running is bad

Running right after having a meal might lead to cramping and serious digestive issues. It is suggested to walk or run only after 4-5 hours of having a meal. According to experts, running right a meal also increases the stress of kidneys.

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Avoid reading

Reading and driving demands excess concentration that is often not present right after having a meal. The energies are diverted in the digestion process and thus reading might result in loss of focus and power of understanding.

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Fruits are bad

Eating fruits right after a meal is bad. According to experts, the sugar content in fruit gets fermented with the carbs and protein of food and as a result, delays the digestion process. It increases the pressure on the digestive tract and may result in stomach ache and discomfort.

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Avoid shower

On the lines of Ayurveda, even modern medical science says that taking bath right after a meal decreases the body temperature and the blood circulation is diverted, as a result, the blood helping in digestion starts flowing toward the skin to maintain temperature.

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Avoid alcohol

Having alcohol right after a meal increases the digestion process and affects the functioning of intestines. It is better to drink 20 minutes before having a meal.

Top Comment

pritam b

2685 days ago

Good one need to teach all these right from school.

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