How long after a meal should you exercise? Things to keep in mind

Many people want to know how long after a meal they can exercise. The answer to this question is rather complicated. It depends on what kind of exercise you are doing. If it is light exercise such as walking, you can do it half an hour after a meal, but if it is intense exercise, you must wait two hours.

1. How long after a meal can you exercise?

In terms of exercise intensity, light exercises such as walking, pacing, square dancing, and Tai Chi can be performed half an hour to an hour after a meal. Moderate exercise such as jogging, weight loss exercises, and cycling can be done one to two hours after a meal. High-intensity sports such as long-distance running, skipping rope, playing football, and playing basketball should be performed two to three hours after a meal.

In terms of meal size, if you eat a large amount before exercise and the food you eat is mainly protein and fat, which are difficult to digest, it is best to exercise more than two hours after the meal. If the meal size is small and the food is mainly carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits or liquid food, the interval between eating and exercise can be relatively shortened according to the intensity of exercise.

2. How long after a meal can you exercise?

The length of the interval between a meal and exercise largely depends on the type of meal and the amount consumed. Other determining factors include age, physical condition, and exercise intensity. Let's assume that this reader is an average middle-aged person! If you have a large meal before exercise, and most of the meals are high in protein and fat, the interval should be more than two hours; if the meal is small and mainly carbohydrates, the interval can be shortened to 30 minutes to 1 hour. It's best to make any changes gradually, but if any muscular or digestive problems occur, pause.

Generally speaking, it is more appropriate for people who do not exercise regularly or those who are weak to exercise 0.5 to 1 hour after a meal. Formal exercise and intense competition are best done 1.5 hours after a meal. It is not advisable to do strenuous exercise after a meal, but it does not rule out doing relaxing exercise after a meal. Everyone can do appropriate exercise according to their own conditions, such as walking or doing other light activities, which is beneficial to improving health.

3. How to exercise after a meal

Half an hour after meal: In this half of the campus, the main time is to rest, sit quietly and chat with family and friends after meal, and talk about more happy topics after dinner. It not only maintains a good mood, but also ensures optimal digestion of food.

1 to 1.5 hours after a meal: At this time, the peak of food digestion has basically passed, so normal exercise is not a problem. Exercises such as brisk walking and jogging can be slowly introduced. As the saying goes, "Take a walk after a meal and you will live to be 99." Taking a walk after a meal can promote digestion, but strenuous exercise should still be done in moderation.