7 NUTRIENT-DRAINING HABITS - YOU Should not IGNORE!

If you are concerned about being healthy and staying fit, then you cannot overlook the digestion and absorption process. It is important to understand that different food takes different times to digest and absorb. Some food digests quickly while some food takes a little longer time to digest.

Avoid mixing slow and fast-digesting foods in the same meal. Always eat fast-digesting food first, then move on to slower-digesting foods for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Taking a balanced diet for good health is important but, randomly mixing foods to achieve it, is not a good habit. 

Examples of food and their digestion time are given below:

FOOD	EXAMPLES	APPROX. TIME     OF DIGESTION
MOST FRUITS	orange, apple, pear, kiwi, cherries	25 -30mins
MOST VEGETABLES (cooked)	leafy green, cauliflower, broccoli, pumpkin, carrot	40 - 60mins
VEGETABLES (used in salads)	lettuce, tomato, cucumber, radish	30 - 40mins
GRAINS	lentils, millet, oats, chickpeas, kidney beans, rice	90 - 120mins
NUTS AND SEEDS	almond, cashew nut, walnut, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed	1 - 2hrs
DAIRY	milk, cheese	2 - 3hrs
WHOLE EGG	-	45mins
MEAT	-	3 - 4hrs

Properly cooked food is delicious as well as healthy. In the same way, when we eat food properly and in the right combination, it digests and nourishes well. But, most of us have a habit of taking such things with food which affects the digestion and absorption process.

So, here are some habits that are unknowingly draining your nutrients, you should not ignore –

1.)CAFFEINATED DRINKS WITH MEAL

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It's advisable to avoid consuming caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, colas, and soft drinks during meals due to their acidic nature. If you're already suffering from digestive issues, drinking caffeinated drinks after or during meals can aggravate your condition. Moreover, caffeinated drinks can impede the absorption of minerals in your body, particularly heme iron, which is plant-based, resulting in nutrient deficiency.

2.)OVERCOOKING AND REHEATING

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The way we cook our food can have a significant effect on how many nutrients our dish ultimately retains. Cooking food for a longer time can cause vitamins and minerals to be lost from the food. Similarly, reheating cooked food repeatedly can further destroy the natural properties of these important nutrients. To ensure better absorption of nutrients and maintain good health, it's best to consume cooked food within 3-4 hours of preparation.

Suggested Reading: Diet Rules For Better Digestion...according to Ayurveda!

3.)GULPING WATER BEFORE OR AFTER A MEAL

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According to Ayurveda, drinking water immediately after a meal can cause digestion problems. This is because water dilutes the digestive acids in your stomach, which can hinder the digestion process and the absorption of nutrients. Therefore, it is recommended to wait at least 30 minutes before having water after a meal and at least 60 minutes before having it before a meal. However, if you feel the need to drink water during meals, it is best to sip it and avoid drinking too much.

4.)FRUITS WITH MILK

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It is advisable to consume milk and fruits separately. Milk is a type of animal protein that, when taken with fruits, especially citrus fruits such as orange, grapefruit, kinnow, kiwi, etc., can cause digestive issues, acidity, and fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract.

However, sweet and buttery fruits like mangoes, dates, avocado, and figs can be consumed with milk except for bananas, which may sometimes cause cough and allergies in some individuals.

…WITH OTHER FOODS

Fruits are the easiest and fastest food to digest. It takes approx. 30 minutes to digest fruits and for this reason should always be eaten separately from grains, vegetables, etc., which take a little longer time to digest.

Also Read: Foods that Should not be Consumed or Paired with Yogurt

5.)LYING DOWN OR TAKING A SHOWER AFTER A MEAL

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Many people have the habit of either lying on the bed or taking a shower after a meal. However, both of these habits can affect the digestion process. The digestion process needs a good amount of blood flow towards the stomach, and taking a shower or bath slightly reduces our body temperature, which slows down digestion. When the undigested food stays in the stomach for a longer time, it can lead to acidity, bloating, and loss of nutrients. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid both of these habits right after a meal.

6.)RAW FOOD WITH COOKED FOOD

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Ayurveda recommends avoiding the consumption of raw and cooked food together. This is because the digestion time of each type of food is different. When consumed together, they can result in incomplete digestion and loss of nutrients. To ensure proper digestion, it is advised to maintain a gap of at least 30 minutes between the consumption of raw and cooked food. 

If you usually have a salad with your meal, it is recommended to consume it with the first half of the meal and eat the second half without salad.

7.)CHEWING FOOD IMPROPERLY

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The initial step of digesting food and assimilating nutrients takes place inside our mouth. To promote efficient digestion, it is crucial to chew food slowly and properly, allowing the food to mix with saliva and enzymes to break it down into smaller pieces that can be easily processed by our digestive system.

Stay Healthy, Stay Fit!

Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information.