Four things you should avoid on an empty stomach

• Image Credit: Internet

• May 30, 2023 | Kabir Chakraborty

Fruits, according to Sahaya, digest much faster than other foods. "Within an hour, we'll be hungry." Certain citrus fruits consumed on an empty stomach might also cause acidity," she explained.

Digital Desk: One
of the most important meals of the day is breakfast, which breaks the night's
fast and sets the tone for the rest of the day. As a result, it's critical to
pay close attention to what you eat on an empty stomach because it might have a
big impact on your health. While some people prefer a hefty first meal, others
prefer a light first meal. But, what should (or should not) be consumed first
thing in the morning?

Neha Sahaya, a nutrition and fitness
consultant, has answered all of your doubts by sharing four foods you should
never eat on an empty stomach on Instagram.

mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm;padding:0cm">Honey in lemon water: Many people drink
honey mixed with lemon water in the morning because they feel it helps them
burn fat. Sahaya, on the other hand, warned against it. "Honey contains
more calories than sugar and has a higher glycemic index." It is difficult
to get pure honey without chemicals, thus most people drink sugar and rice
syrup in the name of honey. "It raises your blood sugar levels because you
have more food cravings throughout the day," she explained.

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color:#3E3E3E">However, functional nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan, CEO and Founder
of iThrive, disagrees and stated that this is entirely incorrect. "Raw,
well-sourced honey is one of the healthiest natural sweeteners and a great
source of healthy carbohydrates that are rich in nutrients and other immune
system-boosting compounds," she added, adding that honey has been shown to
benefit metabolic health in multiple studies.

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mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm;padding:0cm">Tea and coffee: Sahaya further
stated that drinking tea or coffee on an empty stomach stimulates stomach
acids, which might upset your stomach and cause digestive troubles.

color:#3E3E3E">"Tea, coffee, and other forms of caffeine on an empty
stomach early in the morning are definitely not recommended," Pradhan
said, "as your cortisol (stress hormone) levels are already high when you
wake up in the morning, and caffeine can elevate it further and cause excess
stress." She advised waiting at least an hour or two after waking up
before using coffee, and to consume it with food.

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mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm;padding:0cm">Fruits: Fruits, according to
Sahaya, digest much faster than other foods. "Within an hour, we'll be
hungry." Certain citrus fruits consumed on an empty stomach might also
cause acidity," she explained.

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mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm;padding:0cm">Sweet breakfast: Finally, the expert suggested eating a
savoury meal rather than a sweet breakfast to keep blood sugar levels stable.
"It's ideal for those who want to keep track of their fitness." A
protein and fat-rich breakfast helps suppress appetite throughout the day, so
you won't be hungry at lunch. "A sweet breakfast will raise your blood
sugar levels and crash them even faster, leaving you hungry, craving carbs, and
low on energy," she explained.

color:#3E3E3E">She also suggested starting your day with fat (nuts, avocado,
ghee, seeds, etc.) and then eating a protein-rich breakfast. "This
maintains your blood sugar levels and reduces food cravings throughout the
day."

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According to Pradhan, while it is true that a protein and
fat-heavy breakfast helps stabilise blood sugar, whether or not you should be
concerned about deliberately balancing your blood sugar in this way is very
bio-individual. "People who are not diabetic, metabolically healthy, and
do not have insulin resistance can definitely enjoy some healthy carbs like
honey and fruits for breakfast." Personal preferences should also be
considered; we should strive to enjoy our meals and listen to our body. Some
folks with cortisol and stress difficulties may benefit from some healthful
carbs in the morning to help reduce stress."

At the same time, the nutritionist stressed that, even if you
are currently metabolically fit, excessive sugar and carbohydrate consumption
is not a good idea because it might harm your health in the long run. "You
should always have enough protein and fat in your diet to keep you satiated and
your blood sugar under control." "Often, you have a sugar addiction
or resort to 'emotional eating,' which causes you to crave sugar all the time,
so listening to your body without regard for what your health markers are
showing is also not a good idea," she said.