We've all been there at one time or another, you've just eaten a delicious meal of rich, delicious foods, and are sitting back ready to relax, when suddenly, you feel it- the onset of a stomach ache. Pains in your stomach can really ruin a dining experience, particularly if they come after you've eaten your favorite meal, ruin a celebration or arrive just when you're settling back for a nice chill-out session after a perfect dinner.
While there are many medical reasons why you get pain after eating, often, the issue can just be what you eat, and how you eat it. If the pain is only occasional, and you're generally healthy otherwise, then it might be worth looking into using these techniques to try and avoid issues when eating rich foods in the future.
Eat Smaller Portions
As obvious as it might sound, cutting back on how much you eat could be the simple change you need to avoid stomach pains altogether. That's because overeating, especially when it comes to rich foods, can overwhelm your digestive system. If you opt for smaller portions and give your body time to process the food, then you might find that your pain goes away or is significantly reduced. Enjoying rich foods in moderation can help you satisfy your cravings without overloading your digestive system.
Chew Your Food More
When you're eating a quick meal, or eager to dive into a tasty treat, it's easy to swallow without really chewing your food. Properly chewing your food breaks it down into smaller particles, making it easier for your stomach to digest. This can help prevent indigestion and discomfort, so it's an important step. Try to be more aware of how much you chew so that you can do it more and help your stomach to digest your meal more easily.
Identify Any Intolerances
It's important that you check if there's any pattern to the stomach aches, as this could be a sign that you're intolerant to one or more of the ingredients in a certain dish. Food intolerances are common, and they can cause serious stomach pains in many cases. So, if you notice that the pains come after you eat a specific meal or type of cuisine that contains one or two of the same ingredients, then take an at-home test from US Food Intolerance. You'll then be able to identify any ingredients that you're intolerant to and avoid eating them to help keep your stomach more settled.
Add Fiber To Your Dishes
When you're eating an indulgent meal, it's easy to focus on your favorite aspects, like the protein and dairy. However, it's also important to incorporate fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your meals. Fiber promotes healthy digestion and can counteract the effects of heavy, rich foods, so it can help you to reduce the discomfort you feel after eating rich meals.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
What you drink during your meal and how much you ingest is equally as important as the foods you eat. Drinking water throughout your meal can aid digestion. However, avoid drinking large amounts of liquid immediately before or after eating, as it can dilute stomach acids needed for digestion. Try to avoid drinking sugary sodas or juices or highly caffeinated energy drinks or coffees. Water is best, or a weak tea or diluted juice if you need flavor.
Think About Your Behavior After Your Meal
It's not just the food itself that you need to consider, but also what you do after you consume it. After eating, remain upright for at least a couple of hours to allow gravity to aid in digestion. So, if you often take a nap after a big meal, then that could be an issue. Also, too much exercise after eating could be causing you pain, as your body needs time to break down your meal before it starts moving. So, try to sit down calmly and relax after eating a heavy, rich meal to aid your digestion.
Try Less Fatty Alternatives
If you're prone to stomach upsets, then you might want to consider opting for leaner versions of rich foods. For example, choose lean cuts of meat, reduced-fat dairy products, and foods cooked with healthier oils. Also, if you love deep-fried foods, then you might want to try alternatives made in an air fryer or oven, as deep frying often means that the food absorbs a lot of fat. Fat can affect your GI tract and cause abdominal pain, so it's worth seeing if you can reduce how much you eat, while still enjoying your favorite treats and meals.
Seek Medical Advice
For severe pain or ongoing issues with your diet, speak to your doctor. If these tips haven't worked, and the is getting worse, then the problem might possibly be medical, and your doctor can help you to get the treatment you need. They can also offer you personalized advice that will help you to regain enjoyment when eating.
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