Avoid These Activities After Eating
By Sara Butler
When you were a kid you were probably told more than once not to swim right after you eat. Turns out that these aren't the only things you should steer clear of after chowing down. For many reasons, there are a few activities that are best to avoid after eating a meal.
Don't Brush Your Teeth
This one might surprise you. After all, brushing your teeth right after eating to get rid of all those pesky food particles stuck in your teeth seems as if it's the right thing to do. But when you eat foods that are high in acids, such as citrus fruits, it's a good idea to avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes. The only instance when it's recommended to brush after eating is if you have something with a lot of sugar such as a soda or a piece of cake. In that case, brushing away the bacteria will benefit. But when you eat citrus fruits or have something equally acidic such as a glass of wine, you can damage the enamel on your teeth by brushing too soon. If you want to freshen up, consider rinsing your mouth out with water instead.
Don't Go to Sleep
You shouldn't go to bed after eating because you have to worry about Freddy Krueger. You shouldn't go to bed after eating because a full stomach can lead to gastrointestinal distress that will make you feel icky while trying to rest.
You should avoid eating in the three hours before bedtime so that you don't risk getting heartburn. Also, your food will digest more effectively when you're sitting up instead of laying down. Gravity does play a factor in proper digestion, after all.
Don't Exercise
Exercise is generally a good thing but doing it in the hours after you've had a big meal certainly isn't! If you have a full stomach it can lead to muscle cramping or an upset stomach when you exercise. It's a good idea to wait three hours after enjoying a meal to exercise. If you're hungry on your way to the gym, a small snack is fine, but you should still wait an hour or two before you start a serious sweat session or you may have some undesirable side effects.
When it comes to eating, timing is everything!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lake Forest, Calif.