No matter how health-conscious you are, sometimes, you give in to cravings and overeat foods like sweets, French fries, burgers, and pizzas. These foods are loaded with trans fats and saturated fats, which cause weight gain, elevate cholesterol levels and blood pressure, and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease (1). Hence, it is important not to overindulge in junk or fried foods. However, in case you have consumed a lot of greasy or oily foods, there are certain guidelines you can follow to minimize the harmful effects to an extent. Read on for more information.
What To Do After Eating Oily Food
1. Drink Lukewarm Water
Drinking lukewarm water after consuming oily food helps soothe and activate your digestive system. Water acts as a carrier for nutrients and waste products (2). Drinking hot water helps break down the nutrients into their digestible form. If you do not drink enough water, the small intestine will absorb water from food for digestion, leading to dehydration and constipation.
2. Have A Detox Drink
Detox drinks help flush out toxins that get accumulated in your system after consuming oily foods. Some researchers suggest that detoxification programs or detox drinks help release toxins and aid weight loss. However, these studies are not conclusive (3). A study on Korean women showed that drinking lemon juice or following a lemon detox diet reduced body fat and improved insulin resistance (4).
3. Take A Walk
Walking for 30 minutes after a heavy meal helps improve digestion. It promotes better stomach motility, aiding digestion, and may also help you lose weight (5), (6). Hence, go for a slow walk for 30 minutes after eating greasy food to relax your body.
4. Plan Your Next Meal
Planning your meals in advance helps you avoid consuming junk and oily foods on an impulse. Do not skip breakfast. Have a healthy and wholesome breakfast to keep you charged for the day. Include veggies and whole grains in your diet, keep yourself hydrated by drinking adequate water and juices, and have a light dinner.
5. Take Probiotics
Regular intake of probiotics helps balances digestive health and improves gut flora and immunity (7). You can have a cup of yogurt or curd. Add tempeh or nato to your diet plan to strengthen your gut after consuming oily food.
6. Consume More Fruits And Vegetables
Consuming fruits and vegetables helps provide enough vitamins, minerals, and fiber to your body to carry out various processes (8). Eating oily foods that are devoid of fiber and essential micronutrients and high in saturated and trans fats may lead to constipation (9). Have a bowl of fruits with nuts and seeds as a refreshing mid-morning snack. Start your meal with a bowl of salad and fresh vegetables to continue the supply of essential nutrients to your body.
7. Sleep Well
Sleeping helps boost your mood, gets rid of hangovers, and relaxes your mind, body, and soul. Hence, relax and sleep well and avoid emotional eating.
What You Should Not Do After Eating Oily Food
1. Avoid Eating Cold Foods
Eating cold foods, such as ice cream, after consuming oily food has adverse effects on the liver, stomach, and intestines. Oily food is difficult to digest. Following it up with cold food makes digestion difficult, and you might experience bloating and indigestion. Hence, avoid consuming cold foods after heavy meals.
2. Do Not Go To Bed Immediately After Eating
Never go straight to bed after a heavy meal. Always give a gap of 2-3 hours between dinner and bedtime. Sleeping immediately after a meal makes food difficult to digest, causing bloating and enhancing fat deposition.
Conclusion
Eat mindfully and control your portions. Following these basic tips after eating oily foods is the key to stay fit and healthy. Have a cheat meal once a week to satisfy your cravings and have a balanced, wholesome meal for the rest of the days.
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