When you are exercising, much of your blood is diverted to your heart, lungs and muscle groups that you engage. This is the reason why some of your organs such as the stomach and intestines are not supplied with sufficient amounts of blood in the meantime as digestion is not a priority.
It’s due to this exactly why it is not a good idea for you to consume something that can cause your digestive system to work really hard before you work out. Otherwise, you may wind up with severe tummy issues.
Feel free to share this article on your various social media sites later on after checking it out so that your family members and friends who are fitness buffs may also be able to dodge the following no-no’s just before they engage in their respective favorite exercise routines:
Greasy Stuff
Just about anything that’s fried or deep fried should be avoided before hitting the gym — fat can give your stomach lots and lots of stress, and thus it’s something that can cause stomachache, excess gas and even diarrhea.
But no matter if you are exercising on a regular basis, occasionally only or never (which is a terrible, terrible idea!) it’s not really a smart step for you to include in your diet foods that are greasy — it’s not just your waistline that they can ruin, but also your heart and entire cardiovascular system.
Cruciferous Vegetables
We all know that cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and mustard greens are superfoods. Aside from being loaded with dietary fiber, they are also packed with sulfur-containing compounds that are scientifically-proven to help fend off all kinds of cancer.
Unfortunately, these cancer-fighting vegetables should be avoided before you get your dose of exercise as they can cause nasty abdominal pain as a result of hampered digestion and also excess gas production.
Legumes
Beans, peas, lentils — collectively, they are referred to a legumes. Fitness experts actually highly recommend legumes most especially for those who wish to build and maintain lean muscles. That’s because all of them provide you with high-quality protein without supplying your body with saturated fat and bad cholesterol.
Protein-packed legumes, sadly, should not be consumed right before working out because they are also packed with fiber, which means that they can give your stomach a really difficult time carrying out its task.
Dairy Products
Just like legumes, various dairy food products such as milk, cheese and yogurt should be dodged prior to exercising. This is most especially true for individuals who are exhibiting the common signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance. If you are one of them, having any dairy product before working out can lead to disastrous abdominal cramping.
It’s a good thing that you may opt for dairy-free alternatives that are also excellent sources of protein so that you may keep digestive distress from keeping you from getting your regular dose of exercise.
Spicy Treats
Figure-conscious individuals know for a fact that the intake of something spicy can help them attain the figure of their dreams as a result of a dramatic increase in the metabolism. This is why a lot of people who are fitness buffs make it a habit to add spicy treats to their diet on a regular basis.
However, you should refrain from consuming anything that’s spicy especially if you are suffering from acid reflux — spicy foods and working out do not mix as they will surely cause a massive bout of heartburn.
