20 Foods To Eat And Avoid On An Empty Stomach
Many people believe that the first meal of the day should be the best meal of the day. This is because breakfast is usually eaten on an empty stomach. A good and hearty breakfast would ensure that your mind and body are well fuelled to take on the rest of the day. However, it is also important to keep an eye on what you choose to eat on an empty stomach. In this article, we will tell you about 10 foods that you should avoid eating on an empty stomach as well as 10 foods that are good to eat when your stomach is empty.
You Should Not Eat
1. Sweets
Eating sweets means that you are consuming a very high quantity of sugar. Too much sugar signals your body to increase its levels of insulin, which means that the load on your pancreas that has just resumed functioning increases significantly. This may lead to diabetes in the long run (1).
2. Puff Pastries And Shortcrust
These types of foods are made with yeast. Yeast is known to damage the stomach lining as well as cause problems such as flatulence.
3. Pears
Pears are known to possess extremely rough fiber. This type of fiber can damage the delicate mucus lining of an empty stomach.
4. Fermented Milk Products Such As Yogurt
Foods such as yogurt are known to benefit your body since they contain lactic acid bacteria obtained through the fermentation of milk. If you choose to consume such products on an empty stomach, the hydrochloric acid in your stomach will kill the good bacteria, giving you little to no benefit of consuming such foods.
5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain an acid known as tannic acid. When you eat tomatoes on an empty stomach, the acid released by these tomatoes in your stomach (which already contains hydrochloric acid) can lead to gastric ulcers.
6. Bananas
Eating bananas on an empty stomach can cause a sharp increase of the mineral magnesium in your bloodstream. A high concentration of magnesium in your blood can lead to heart problems (2).
7. Green Vegetables Such As Cucumbers
Choosing to eat raw green vegetables such as cucumbers on an empty stomach can have adverse effects. Although such foods are a good source of amino acids, they can cause problems such as flatulence, heartburn, and abdominal pain if eaten on an empty stomach.
8. Carbonated Drinks
Drinking fizzy drinks in the morning can damage the mucus membranes in the stomach. Such drinks may also reduce the supply of blood to the stomach, which may slow down digestive processes.
9. Spices
Consuming spicy foods on an empty stomach can damage the mucus membranes in the stomach and cause gastric ulcers.
10. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits contain citric acid. Having such fruits on an empty stomach can increase the risk of gastritis.
You Should Eat
1. Oatmeal
Oatmeal helps prevent hydrochloric acid from damaging the stomach lining by forming a protective coating on it. It is also a good source of fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol levels in the body.
2. Cornmeal Porridge
Cornmeal porridge is a rich source of fiber. It also helps detoxify your body.
3. Buckwheat
Buckwheat is a rich source of iron, protein, and vitamins.
4. Wheat Germ
Wheat germ is an excellent source of vitamin E as well as folic acid. It also helps ensure that your digestive system is working efficiently.
5. Watermelon
Watermelon is an excellent source of lycopene. This makes it a great choice to ensure that your eyes and heart are in good condition (3). Moreover, watermelon has a very high content of fluid that helps dilute the acid in your stomach.
6. Eggs
Eating eggs for breakfast helps reduce your daily calorie intake. This is because eggs are ranked very high on the satiety index. They are also a good source of protein.
7. Blueberries
Choosing to eat blueberries for breakfast can help regulate your blood pressure and improve your memory and metabolism.
8. Nuts
Eating nuts for breakfast helps improve the overall working of your digestive system. Nuts are also known to help normalize the pH levels in your stomach.
9. Whole Grain Bread
Whole grain bread contains carbohydrates and other essential nutrients that are extremely important for your body, especially in the morning.
10. Honey
Honey is a great source of energy that helps activate your body in the morning. It also helps improve your brain’s performance as well as increase the levels of serotonin (the happy hormone) in your body.
Now that you know what foods you should eat and what you should avoid on an empty stomach, we hope you make the right choices. Let’s face it – at the end of the day, when you eat good, you feel good.