Avoid These 18 Foods On Empty Stomach

Starting your day with the right foods can set the tone for your overall health and well-being.

However, many of us unknowingly make choices that can lead to discomfort, digestive issues, and energy crashes by consuming certain foods on an empty stomach.

Whether it’s a quick cup of coffee, a refreshing glass of juice, or a seemingly harmless piece of fruit, what you eat first thing in the morning matters more than you might think.

In this blog post, we will explore 20 foods that you should avoid consuming on an empty stomach.

Citrus Fruits

Examples: Oranges, lemons, grapefruits.

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Citrus fruits are highly acidic due to their high content of citric acid.

When consumed on an empty stomach, this acid can irritate the stomach lining, which is particularly sensitive without the buffer of other food.

Coffee

Examples: Black coffee, espresso.

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Coffee stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which aids in digestion.

However, when consumed on an empty stomach, this can lead to an overproduction of stomach acid, causing discomfort and increasing the risk of gastritis.

Sugary Foods and Drinks

Examples: Pastries, candies, sodas, fruit juices with added sugar.

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Sugary foods and drinks cause a rapid spike in blood glucose levels, prompting a strong insulin response.

This can lead to a quick drop in blood sugar (sugar crash), leaving you feeling tired and hungrier soon after eating.

Carbonated Drinks

Examples: Soda, sparkling water, fizzy energy drinks.

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Carbonated drinks contain dissolved carbon dioxide, which can form gas in the stomach when released.

This can lead to bloating and a feeling of fullness, along with potential discomfort.

Raw Vegetables

Examples: Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale.

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Raw vegetables are high in fiber, which, while beneficial for digestion, can be tough on an empty stomach.

Fibre requires a significant amount of digestive effort, and consuming it without other food can lead to gas, bloating, and discomfort.

Green Tea

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Green tea contains tannins, which can increase stomach acid production when consumed on an empty stomach.

This increased acidity can lead to stomach discomfort, including nausea and a feeling of unease.

The caffeine content in green tea, although lower than that in coffee, can also stimulate stomach acid production, potentially exacerbating discomfort and leading to symptoms like acid reflux or heartburn.

Spicy Foods

Examples: Chili peppers, hot sauces, spicy curries.

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Spicy foods contain compounds like capsaicin, which can irritate the stomach lining.

When consumed on an empty stomach, these compounds can increase the production of stomach acid, leading to irritation and discomfort.

Raw Garlic

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Raw garlic is highly potent and contains compounds such as allicin, which can be quite harsh on the stomach lining.

Sodas

Examples: Colas, flavored carbonated beverages, and diet sodas.

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Sodas are not only carbonated but also often contain high levels of sugar or artificial sweeteners and acids.

The carbonation can cause bloating and a feeling of fullness due to the release of carbon dioxide in the stomach.

The acidity from ingredients like phosphoric acid and citric acid can increase stomach acid levels, potentially leading to irritation and discomfort.

Pastries and Doughnuts

Examples: Croissants, muffins, doughnuts, Danish pastries.

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Pastries and doughnuts are typically high in refined sugars and unhealthy fats.

Consuming these on an empty stomach can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels, prompting a strong insulin response.

This can lead to a quick drop in blood sugar (sugar crash), resulting in increased hunger and potential fatigue.

Pears

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Pears contain a significant amount of crude fibre, which is a type of insoluble fiber.

While fibre is essential for digestion, the high content in pears can be tough on an empty stomach.

Cold Beverages

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Drinking cold beverages, such as iced water or cold juices, on an empty stomach can cause a shock to your digestive system.

The sudden drop in temperature can constrict blood vessels and hinder digestion, potentially leading to stomach cramps.

Sweets

Examples: Candies, pastries, sweetened cereals.

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: High sugar intake on an empty stomach can overload the pancreas, which produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.

When sweets are consumed first thing in the morning, the rapid spike in blood glucose levels forces the pancreas to produce a large amount of insulin quickly.

Processed Meat

Examples: Bacon, sausages, ham.

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Processed meats are typically high in fats and salts, making them hard to digest, especially on an empty stomach.

The high fat content can delay gastric emptying, leading to a feeling of fullness and discomfort.

Alcohol

Examples: Beer, wine, spirits.

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach allows it to pass quickly into the bloodstream, leading to a rapid rise in blood alcohol concentration.

Bananas

Reason to Avoid on an Empty Stomach: Bananas are rich in magnesium and potassium, which are essential minerals for the body’s proper functioning.

However, consuming bananas on an empty stomach can lead to a sudden increase in these minerals in your bloodstream.

This sudden influx can disturb the balance of magnesium and potassium levels, potentially leading to heart-related issues for those susceptible to imbalances.

Tomatoes

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Tomatoes are high in tannic acid, a compound that can increase the acidity in the stomach.

When eaten on an empty stomach, the tannic acid can irritate the stomach lining and increase stomach acid production.

Yogurt and Fermented Milk Products

Examples: Yogurt, kefir, buttermilk.

Reason to Avoid on Empty Stomach: Yogurt and other fermented milk products are packed with beneficial lactic acid bacteria, or probiotics, which are great for digestive health.

However, when consumed on an empty stomach, the high acidity of the stomach can kill these beneficial bacteria before they reach the intestines where they exert their positive effects.