If you’ve found yourself so full that you’re uncomfortable, you might need relief from overdoing it. Using a few simple remedies, you can easily figure out how to ease your stomach after eating too much.
How You Got Stuffed After Eating
As you eat, your stomach sends hormones to your brain telling you that it’s fulle. Your stomach literally stretches as it fills with liquid and solids. It talks to your brain, saying, “Hey, ease up!” Unfortunately, these chemicals take up to 20 minutes to reach your brain. This lets you to think it’s OK to keep putting food and drink in your intestine when it’s past its comfortable limit.
Add to that the gas that builds up. All of a sudden, when those chemicals finally reach you’re brain, you’re stuffed. And sometimes, it’s painful.
If you find yourself getting stuffed more than a couple of times a year, consider eating in courses. Or, “spoil” your meals with a snack beforehand. This lets your helper hormones get a head start sending the right signals to your brain.
Take a Walk After a Big Meal
Relaxing on the couch and not moving might seem like a good idea to help your discomfort. However, raising your metabolism is a better way to start burning those calories. Take a walk, either outside or up and down the stairs, recommends the Cleveland Clinic.
If you’re really full, don’t hop on an elliptical and try to get rid of those calories at once. This can lead to more problems as you struggle with pain and discomfort. You might even trigger a heart attack. Even if it’s just helping clear the dishes and putting away leftovers, keep your body active.
Don’t Lie Down After Eating
You might be tempted to take a nap or just lie down on the couch after eating too much. However, you’ll probably prolong your problem. Not only will you lower your metabolism, you’ll also let your food sink to the back of your stomach.
You digest food better when you’re sitting or standing, so help your body digest that food that’s causing you problems by avoiding a horizontal position.
How About a Good Burp?
Drinking a carbonated beverage adds more gas to your stomach, helping you induce a belch. A good burp can help release more gas than you take in from your soda. This will give you some quick relief by reducing pressure inside your gut.
Antacids After Meals
A tried-and-true approach for tyring to ease your stomach after eating too much to your medicine cabinet for a Tums, Rolaids or whatever antacid you have. Antacids absorb stomach acid that can cause you pain. If you don’t have any, head to the store. You’ll raise your metabolism as you get out of the house and add a second method of relieving your pain and discomfort.
Upchuck
Yes, I said it. Sticking your finger down your throat and causing yourself to vomit can help you quickly empty your stomach of some of the contents that are causing your pain. If you’ve eaten spicy food, are sweating or feel your condition is serious, you might want to call your doctor before you try this method.
Be careful if you’ve eaten acidic food, including fruit juices or unfamiliar ethnic dishes, this can be a painful way to relieve your symptoms. If you’re concerned about triggering an eating disorder in you or one of your kids, remember that bulimia and anorexia are psychological conditions that don’t seek to relieve pain and discomfort from an accidental stuffing.
If you or a loved one is eating too much and then inducing vomiting on a regular basis, you might have a more serious problem.
Have a Snack Before Meals
In the future, consider “spoiling” your holiday meals and trips to the buffet by having a snack before the main meal is served. Try this and other tricks for holiday eating you can find at this article.
