Whether you are waiting for a delicious meal to be served at a restaurant or you’re bored – chewing certain foods (or items) on an empty stomach is never a good idea.
Don’t Chew Gum
Chewing gum on an empty stomach is never a good idea. Many people are unaware that when you chew gum, your digestive system produces digestive acid. The acid can destroy the lining of your stomach. People who make it a habit of chewing gum on an empty stomach could develop gastritis.
Don’t Chew on Ice
During the hot summer months, it’s vital that you stay well-hydrated. One way many people stay cool and well-hydrated is to chew on ice. Although chewing ice won’t cause damage to your stomach like chewing gum can, it can wreak havoc on your teeth. Chewing ice on an empty stomach may also cause you to chew too much ice and damage your teeth.
Instead of chewing on hard ice cubes, consider sucking on crushed ice. When you chew on whole ice cubes regularly, you run the risk of not only damaging your tooth enamel, you can damage your jaw muscles and even your crowns and fillings.
Avoid Going to Sleep
Just like it is never a good idea to go to sleep on a full stomach, avoid going to sleep on an empty stomach. The hunger pains and low glucose levels will prevent you from falling asleep. If you are fortunate enough to fall asleep, you may find yourself waking up in the middle of the night.
If you feel hungry and your stomach is growling, drink a warm cup of almond milk, coconut milk or low-fat dairy milk.
Hopefully, the tips in this article will be a reminder of what not to chew.