You may not realize it, but some common habits after eating can actually be harmful. Let’s look at six things you should definitely not do after eating.

Don’t Lie Down Right After Eating

Lying down right after eating might sound nice, but it’s actually bad for your stomach. When you lie down, gravity can’t help keep food and stomach acid where they belong. This can lead to acid reflux, which happens when stomach acid moves up into your esophagus and causes a burning feeling. It’s better to wait two to three hours before lying down so your stomach can digest properly.

Don’t Do Intense Exercise Right After a Meal

After you eat, your body is busy digesting food. Doing hard exercise right after eating can mess up your digestion and cause stomach cramps or make you feel sick. Instead, wait about 30 minutes to an hour before doing any tough exercise. If you want to stay active, a gentle walk is a good choice that won’t upset your stomach.

Don’t Drink Too Much Water Right After Eating

Drinking water is important, but drinking too much water right after eating can dilute your stomach acids. These acids help break down food, and if they’re too diluted, your digestion might slow down, causing bloating or discomfort. It’s okay to sip water during a meal but try not to drink a lot until about 30 minutes after eating.

Don’t Drink Coffee Right After Eating

A lot of people like to have coffee after eating, but drinking it too soon can stop your body from absorbing some nutrients like iron and zinc. The tannins in coffee can make it harder for your body to absorb these minerals, which are important for staying healthy. If you really want coffee, try to wait at least an hour after eating before drinking it.

Don’t Brush Your Teeth Right After Eating

Brushing your teeth right after a meal—especially if you’ve eaten acidic foods like citrus or tomatoes—can actually harm your teeth. Acidic foods weaken your enamel, and brushing too soon can wear it down even more. Dentists recommend waiting at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth so your enamel has time to harden again. In the meantime, you can rinse your mouth with water to help wash away food particles and reduce acid.

Don’t Take a Hot Shower Right After Eating

After eating, your body sends more blood to your stomach to help with digestion. Taking a hot shower can redirect blood to your skin, which can slow down your digestion and cause digestive discomfort. It’s better to wait at least an hour after eating before taking a hot shower so your body can focus on digesting.

The Takeaway

What you do after eating can be helpful in how well your body digests food and how healthy you feel. By avoiding these six things, you can help your body digest food more easily and stay healthy. Give your body time to digest—it will make your stomach feel a lot better!