In daily life, people know that the nutritional structure of their diet should be balanced. However, how can one maintain nutritional balance through scientific eating on an empty stomach? In this regard, Chongqing nutrition experts remind that consuming large amounts of certain foods on an empty stomach can have adverse effects on the body. Therefore, eating on an empty stomach should be based on the principle of being mild and low-stimulus, with a reasonable and balanced combination of nutrients. It is crucial to avoid excessive intake of the following foods.
First, avoid high-sugar foods. "Because the human body cannot secrete enough insulin in a short period to maintain normal blood sugar levels, consuming excessive amounts of sugar foods like white sugar, brown sugar, pastries, and sweet potatoes on an empty stomach can easily cause a sharp rise in blood sugar," says a Chongqing nutrition expert. Overeating sugar foods on an empty stomach can also disrupt the body's acid-base balance, leading to stomach discomfort, heartburn, and acid reflux.
Second, avoid foods high in protein. Consuming excessive amounts of high-protein foods like milk, soy milk, eggs, and meat on an empty stomach forces protein to be "compelled" to be converted into energy for consumption, thus failing to provide nutritional benefits. Additionally, when protein accumulates in excess over a short period, the breakdown process produces a large amount of harmful substances like urea and ammonia, which is detrimental to health.
Third, avoid strongly stimulating foods. Eating strongly stimulating foods like overly spicy, sour, salty, or frozen foods on an empty stomach can damage the gastric mucosa or intestinal walls, causing gastrointestinal cramps and pain, and triggering gastrointestinal diseases. For women during their menstrual period, consuming such foods on an empty stomach can also lead to menstrual irregularities and dysmenorrhea.