Whether you've had a long day at the office or you're just heading to the kitchen after a workout, choosing the right foods to fill your empty stomach can make a big difference in how your body reacts. Eating the wrong foods can leave you feeling crummy, while the right foods give you a boost of energy without the bloaty feeling.
Check out this list of foods you should and shouldn't eat on an empty stomach, and make sure to sure these tips with your friends on Facebook.
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Foods to Eat:
1. Oatmeal: Not only is oatmeal an excellent source of fiber and vitamins, it can help prevent an upset stomach. The grain coats the lining of the stomach and protects it against the buildup of hydrochloric acid.
1. Oatmeal: Not only is oatmeal an excellent source of fiber and vitamins, it can help prevent an upset stomach. The grain coats the lining of the stomach and protects it against the buildup of hydrochloric acid.
2. Watermelon: Watermelon contains a lot of water so it's gentle on the stomach. As an added bonus, watermelon contains high levels of lycopene which boosts heart and eye health.
3. Nuts: Nuts are a great option for a snack in a pinch. Nuts contain lots of healthy fats and they're easy on the tummy.
4. Eggs: It might surprise you that eggs are okay (even good) to eat on an empty stomach as most dairy products are a no-no. Eggs are a good source of energy-boosting nutrients which makes them a great go-to for a quick breakfast. Plus, eating eggs for breakfast can help you cut your daily calorie intake.
5. Honey: Add some honey to your oatmeal or toast for a sweet boost of energy. Honey can increase the levels of serotonin your body produces and gives your brain more staying power.
6. Cooked vegetables: Vegetables tend to be stomach friendly foods, especially if they are cooked and soft. Veggies like carrots and lettuce are great options on an empty stomach.
7. Blueberries: Feel free to add some blueberries to your oatmeal in the morning. This tummy-friendly fruit helps increase your metabolism and boosts brain power.
8. Wheat Germ: Add wheat germ to your smoothie, toast or oatmeal for a healthy serving of vitamin E and folic acid. Plus, the wheat germ helps get your digestive rearing to go for the day.
Foods to Avoid:
9. Coffee/Tea: While this caffeine-riddled drink may be what gets you up and going in the morning, you might want to eat some toast first. Coffee and tea actually encourage the production of hydrochloric acid which can cause nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Tea reduces bile in your stomach and kills your appetite (great for the afternoon munchies, not so great for the most important meal of the day.)
9. Coffee/Tea: While this caffeine-riddled drink may be what gets you up and going in the morning, you might want to eat some toast first. Coffee and tea actually encourage the production of hydrochloric acid which can cause nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Tea reduces bile in your stomach and kills your appetite (great for the afternoon munchies, not so great for the most important meal of the day.)
10. Citrus Fruit: Skip the oranges, grapefruit, and lemon until you've eaten a little something else first. While these fruits are fantastic sources of Vitamin C, they can irritate your stomach and throat when you eat them on an empty stomach. Try blueberries, watermelon or apples instead.
11. Carbonation: If you're reaching for your favorite soda to fill up your tummy: stop. Not only are carbonated drinks unhealthy, drinking sugary drinks on an empty stomach increases the risk of a sugar crash once the sweetness leaves your bloodstream. The carbonation can also increase stomach aches.
12. Puff Pastry: Put that croissant down! The yeast in a traditional danish can irritate your stomach and increase gassiness when eaten on an empty tummy. This is definitely a breakfast treat you'll want to skip before heading into an important meeting.
13. Yogurt: This popular breakfast side can contain lots of protein and healthy levels of yeast. When eaten on an empty stomach, the acid in your belly kills any healthy benefits the yeast might offer turning your healthy breakfast choice into a container of fruit-flavored sugar.
14. Pear This may seem like an odd food to avoid on an empty stomach, but the fiber in a pear can cause major stomach aches, and damage the mucus membrane in your stomach. Pair it with oatmeal or another grain to protect your stomach.
15. Tomatoes: The acidic nature of this juicy favorite can seriously irritate the stomach. While they are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, mixing the tomato with stomach acid is a bad idea, especially if you already have a sensitive stomach.
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16. Banana: While bananas are a healthy fruit, as they contain lots of magnesium, eating them on an empty stomach can turn that healthy magnesium into a weapon. If eaten on an empty stomach, the excess magnesium can get into your bloodstream potentially causing heart problems later on. Eat a banana after you've had something else to eat first.