Just had a meal? Avoid doing these 8 things to prevent health issues

Have you ever wondered why you lack essential nutrients in your body even after maintaining a balanced diet? If you’ve been feeling fatigued in spite of a healthy diet, it is only normal to wonder if there’s an underlying medical condition or an error in your diet plan. Dear ladies, your meal is just fine but the things that you are doing after having a meal are problematic.

From lying down to smoking a cigarette- there are many post-meal habits we develop over time. What we don’t realize is that these seemingly harmless acts can disrupt the nutritional balance of our meal. These habits hamper the nutrition absorption mechanism of your body.

Well, there are eight major things that you should avoid doing right after having a full meal:

1. Avoid eating fruits

According to the nutritionist, Manisha Chopra, fresh fruits are the healthiest of all foods. But, when you eat them after meals, they get mixed with the food consumed and limit its absorption. This may cause digestive problems and also change the nutritional value of the food you’re consuming.

2. Avoid smoking

This is one of the worst things that you can do to your body.

“Smoking is injurious to health. We already know how harmful it is for our body but smoking right after a meal is actually 10 times worse. Cigarettes contain carcinogens which may worsen irritable bowel syndrome and even lead to ulcerative colitis,” warned Manisha.

3. Avoid taking a nap

If you love your after-meal naps then it’s time to bid adieu to them because as per the expert, it’s a harmful habit. Basically, when you sleep after having your meal, the digestive juices produced by the stomach rise up and cause heartburn. The entire digestive process gets affected.

4. Avoid taking a shower

Do not take a shower after meals. When you take a shower after meals, the blood rushes to the skin to regulate the temperature of the body which may lead to digestive problems as digestion needs a lot of energy.

5. Avoid exercising

Exercising right after meals can disrupt your digestion process. You may even experience vomiting, stomach puffiness, and loose motions.

“The only exercise that is prescribed after a meal is doing vajrasana. It aids the digestion process. Other than that, you should avoid everything,” suggests Manisha.

6. Avoid drinking tea/coffee

Many of us prefer to have tea or coffee right after meals. Turns out, it is bad for our health. Some phenolic compounds are present in them that limit the absorption of iron. Hence, they should only be consumed after an hour of having meals.

7. Avoid loosening your belt

When you put or reduce pressure around the stomach after having meals, it disrupts your digestion and gastric process, leading to various health problems. So, avoid loosening your belt after meals. It is also a sign of overeating.

8. Avoid drinking water

When you drink water right after your meals, it reduces the secretion of enzymes and juices in the stomach. It may cause acidity and bloating, making digestion difficult.

“Drink water at least half an hour before having a meal. You should wait for an hour after you’re done eating before reaching out for a glass of water”, advised Manisha.

So, which of these habits are you guilty of? Do let us know in the comments section below.