When you finish a meal, you want to feel satisfied and not bloated, gassy, or have to rush to the bathroom. If eating makes you feel uncomfortable after you’re done, that’s clearly a problem. There are a variety of reasons why a meal would make you feel poorly, such as food intolerances or even a digestive disorder. But oftentimes, it is our eating habits that lead to side effects post-meal.
For example, eating too quickly and not properly chewing your food can result in bloating and indigestion.
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If you’re tired of feeling sluggish after you eat, these pre-meal rituals will have you feeling much better after you eat.
Pre-meal tips to improve digestion
Drink water: For proper digestion, your digestive system needs to be well hydrated. Water helps solid foods be digested and nutrients are absorbed better. It’s important that water is consumed pre-meal because drinking water during your meal can dilute stomach acid, which is necessary to break down food.
Reduce your alcohol intake: Alcohol is known to slow down your metabolism, which means you will burn off your meal slower. Drinking with a meal allows the alcohol to sit in your stomach for much longer.
Drink green tea: It is known that green tea is high in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation along with boosting your metabolism. Drinking green tea 30 minutes prior to eating can help things move along smoothly.
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Eat bitter foods pre-meal: An appetizer consisting of bitter foods can help stimulate the digestive process. For example, a spoonful of apple cider vinegar in water can help things move along. Sour foods can also help produce more digestive juices, which improve digestion. Incorporating more lemon water into your meals is a good idea.
By incorporating these simple pre-meal practices into your daily life, you can experience improved digestion and reduce the feelings of bloating, gas, indigestion, and other digestive symptoms post-meal.
Related: 10 Natural Antacids to Help With Heartburn & Better Digestion
