Don't eat food on an empty stomach, and hold back when you're hungry! Expert: Don't eat these kinds of food indiscriminately!
When hungry, people tend to look for anything that fills their stomachs quickly, but not all foods are suitable for eating on an empty stomach. Eating certain foods on an empty stomach can be taxing on the body and even harmful to health.
High-sugar foods. Excessive intake of high-sugar foods on an empty stomach may cause blood sugar levels to rise and fall rapidly, causing a brief surge in energy and subsequent tiredness. In the long term, this may burden the function of the pancreatic islets and increase the risk of diabetes. In addition, foods high in sugar may also stimulate excessive secretion of stomach acid, causing stomach pain or gastritis.
Coffee and tea. Drinking caffeinated beverages such as strong coffee and strong tea on an empty stomach may stimulate gastric acid secretion and worsen symptoms of hyperacidity or gastritis. Caffeine may also cause a temporary increase in blood pressure and heart rate, putting more stress on an already fragile body on an empty stomach.
Raw and cold food. Consuming raw and cold foods, such as cold drinks or ice cream, on an empty stomach may cause gastrointestinal discomfort such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. Raw and cold foods may suddenly reduce the temperature in the stomach, affecting the normal work of digestive enzymes and reducing digestion efficiency.
Acidic foods. Acidic foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes can irritate the stomach lining when consumed on an empty stomach, triggering or worsening hyperacidity and gastritis. This type of food should especially be avoided for people with symptoms of stomach ulcers or excess stomach acid.
Processed foods. Processed foods often contain high amounts of additives, preservatives, and sodium. Eating these foods on an empty stomach may not only cause indigestion but may also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Alcohol. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can be quickly absorbed, increasing the burden on the liver and may cause blood sugar levels to drop, causing symptoms of hypoglycemia such as dizziness and fatigue. In the long term, it can also cause damage to the liver and other organs.
Spicy food. Spicy foods such as chili peppers and peppercorns can irritate the gastric mucosa when consumed on an empty stomach, which may cause discomfort, stomach pain, or aggravate symptoms such as gastritis.
In addition, you can eat a moderate amount of food that protects the gastric mucosa on an empty stomach, such as milk, lotus root powder, honey, etc., dairy products are rich in vitamins, lotus root powder contains vitamins and proteins, which can protect the gastrointestinal tract and esophageal mucosa, and at the same time, lotus root powder has high nutritional value and can promote digestion. The glucose and fructose in honey have an auxiliary appetizing effect, can also inhibit the excessive secretion of gastric acid to a certain extent, and can also provide the nutrients needed by the body.
There are also light and easy-to-digest foods, such as millet porridge, noodles, egg custard, yam, rice soup, egg soup and other liquid foods, which are easy to digest and contain certain nutrients, and eating them on an empty stomach will not irritate the gastric mucosa.
Knowing and avoiding foods that should not be consumed on an empty stomach is essential for maintaining good digestive health. Choosing easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense foods for a pre-dinner snack or breakfast can help you better kick-start your day and avoid discomfort. Moderate amounts of fruit (avoid overly acidic varieties), whole grains, and low-fat protein are all good choices.
Remember, a proper diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and arranging each meal to provide your body with adequate energy and nutrients is the key to maintaining good health.
