10 Foods To Eat On An Empty Stomach—And 10 To Avoid
Jul 04, 2018 by apost team
It might be tempting to go straight for the first food you see when you’re hungry, but certain options may not simply sate your appetite. While some come with added benefits for an empty gut, others can affect it negatively without you realizing it. Read on to learn what foods to try, and to avoid, on an empty stomach.
Don’t eat shortcrust and puff pastries, since the yeast in them irritates the stomach’s lining and can lead to unpleasant flatulence.
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Don’t eat a lot of sweets. The sugar content boosts your blood’s insulin levels, which in turn puts a lot of pressure quickly on the pancreas. Too much of this can lead to diabetes.
Don’t reach for pears, either. When your stomach’s empty, pears’ crude fiber can interact poorly with sensitive mucous membranes and cause discomfort.
Don’t go for tomatoes. The tannic acid in them raises the stomach’s acid levels, which can irritate it and support the development of ulcers.
Don’t dine on yogurt and other fermented dairy foods. The acid in your stomach will promptly destroy the lactic acid bacteria these foods offer, leaving them nutritionally weaker.
Don’t eat bananas. Consuming them on an empty stomach will lead to a magnesium spike in your blood, which isn’t good for the heart.
Don’t overdo it with spices. Spicy foods can irritate and damage the stomach’s mucous membrane, as well as increase its acid levels, leading to other digestive issues over time.
Don’t guzzle cold carbonated drinks. They can damage the stomach’s mucous lining and reduce its blood supply, forcing food to digest more slowly.
Don’t eat citrus fruits so soon. They’re all rich in acid, and when they enter an empty stomach, they can increase the risk of heartburn, gastrointestinal inflammation, and ulcers.
Don’t crunch down on cucumbers or other green vegetables, since their amino acids may contribute to heartburn, flatulence, and abdominal pain.
Do eat eggs. Research suggests eating them for breakfast in particular can lead to eating fewer calories over the course of the day.
Do eat oatmeal, since it creates a protective lining against the stomach’s hydrochloric acid. The soluble fiber it provides can also help lower cholesterol.
Do go for buckwheat, since it gently “wakes up” the digestive system and provides good amounts of protein, vitamins, and iron.
Do try cornmeal porridge. It contributes to toxin and heavy metal removal, supports healthy gut flora, and helps you feel full.
Do consume some wheat germ. It supports a healthy digestive track, and just two tablespoons provides 15% of the recommended Vitamin E and 10% folic acid amounts
Do snack on watermelon. The high levels of lycopene are good for the eyes and heart. The water content also helps prevent dehydration.
Do reach for blueberries, as research suggests eating them early improves memory, metabolism, and blood pressure.
Do have some honey, since it boosts your morning metabolism and energy levels. It can also contribute to better brain activity and higher serotonin levels.
Do eat nuts for breakfast, since they protect digestive health and settle stomach pH levels.
Do eat yeast-free, whole-grain bread. The carbohydrates and other nutrients will support all-day health when eaten early.
As great as these foods are, when your tank’s empty, it pays to watch what you put inside. What do you usually eat on an empty stomach? Let us know and pass this interesting useful guide on to your friends and loved ones.
Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!