Most of us can give our two cents when it comes to healthy food choices to start the day with. But are we as sure about foods that should be strictly avoided in the morning on empty stomach? Here is a list of foods that experts say are best avoided in the morning includes coffee and fresh juice. Brace yourself for some surprises as nutritionist Dr Rupali Dutta puts together a list of bad breakfast ideas.
Spicy foods
Foods that contain spicy masala are a bad choice for breakfast. Regular intake of spicy foods on empty stomach can damage the lining of the digestive tract. Acidity and indigestion are typical conditions for those in the habit of indulging in a spicy morning repast. Mild flavour is ideally the thumb rule if you are fond of a traditional, full Indian breakfast.
Foods high in sugar
Fresh fruit juice often figures in the list of highly favoured healthy breakfast options. Truth is, the pancreas is forced to hit top gear too soon after long hours of sleep when it is not quite ready for heavy duty functions. Fruit juices contain a naturally occurring sugar called fructose which can overwhelm your liver and digestive system when downed first thing in the morning. Smoothies and juices that come in tetra pack only make things worse.
Soft drinks/aerated drinks
The statutory warning about soft drinks being unhealthy is never truer than at breakfast times. Fizzy drinks contain carbonic acid created during the process of carbonation. Heartburn and acid reflux are common conditions that accompany the consumption of these drinks on a regular basis at any time of the day, mornings being the worst.
Citrus fruits
Eating citrus fruits like oranges, grapes, lemon etc on empty stomach can interfere with digestion. The high fibre content will slow down the digestive process for the rest of the day, causing you to feel bloated and uncomfortable.
Raw vegetables
A raw vegetable salad might just be your idea of a healthy breakfast. But they are just too rich in fibre to give a good start to your day. Gas, bloating, constipation and stomach ache can result from eating raw vegetables on empty stomach.
Coffee
Despite all the soothing effects that an aromatic morning cuppa has on you, coffee might still be triggering the acid reflex that you are battling. More and more studies point out that coffee on empty stomach could be the culprit in cases where people complain of varying degrees of burning sensation in the mid-chest area. Coffee is naturally acidic and is best avoided as your first food of the day.
