After a meal, everyone has different habits. Some people prefer to sit, some like to walk around, while others choose to lie down after eating. So, what is the healthiest habit?
Lying Down Immediately After Eating
Associate Professor Dr. Lam Vinh Nien, Head of the Department of Nutrition – Dietetics (University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City) states that whether one walks, sits, or lies down immediately after a meal is linked to individual habits.
Our ancestors used to say: “A full stomach makes for sleepy eyes.” This saying describes the phenomenon of drowsiness after a hearty meal.
After a filling meal, many people choose to lie down on the bed. For individuals with a well-functioning stomach, the habit of lying down right after eating will not cause any issues.
Working right after eating (illustrative image).
“However, one should not maintain this habit for an extended period. Especially, after finishing a meal, if one lies face down or places heavy objects on the stomach, this can affect digestion, leading to phenomena like food and gastric juices refluxing into the esophagus, which can easily lead to issues such as acid reflux, heartburn, and gastrointestinal diseases,” Professor Nien noted.
Additionally, the expert also pointed out that the habit of lying down right after eating may increase the risk of gastric issues and can be dangerous for individuals who already have existing health conditions, specifically:
- Individuals with cardiac sphincter issues may experience gastroesophageal reflux if they lie down immediately after eating.
- Those who have suffered a stroke or are in a coma and lie supine right after eating could experience reflux, risking aspiration of food into the airways.
- For young children, whose pyloric muscles are still weak, lying down immediately after eating can lead to gastroesophageal reflux.
Walking and Moving After Eating
In addition to the habit of resting after meals, some people prefer to stand up and walk around. Associate Professor Nien believes that individuals can absolutely engage in light activities or work right after a meal. However, one should only engage in gentle movement.
The expert advises that one should avoid high-intensity activities immediately after eating. This is because vigorous exercise right after a meal can impact the digestive system, potentially causing digestive disorders (stomach pain, gastroesophageal reflux).
Sitting After Eating
Professor Nien further explains: “After eating, blood flow to the digestive system increases. At this time, blood is primarily directed towards the stomach and intestines to aid in food digestion, helping the stomach and intestines to function normally and reducing the risk of gastric reflux.”
Therefore, after a meal, individuals should allow their bodies to rest (in accordance with the body’s physiology). Sitting upright for about 15-20 minutes after eating is the healthiest choice.
Some Habits to Avoid Immediately After Eating
The expert emphasizes that after a full meal, individuals should avoid certain activities to ensure their health. Specifically:
- Do not drink tea or coffee right after eating, as tannins in tea and certain compounds in coffee will limit the body’s ability to absorb nutrients (such as iron). Instead, after a hearty meal, one should only drink plain water or cooled boiled water.
- After eating, avoid engaging in heavy labor or high-intensity sports.
- Avoid lying face down or on your back with something heavy on your stomach immediately after eating.
