Smoking: It causes bloating and it is often said that smoking after a meal is equivalent to smoking 10 cigarettes; no matter how correct that is, it’s best to avoid this habit. The digestive system works on the whole body, and nicotine binds with oxygen in the blood, because then it’s more easily absorbed.

Fruit: Fruit is easy to digest and should be eaten an hour before a meal or two hours after a meal. Fruits and their inherent minerals/vitamins will not be digested and absorbed properly if you eat them directly after a meal; in fact, it will ferment in the gut. If you experience indigestion, heartburn, burping, and other digestive discomforts, it may be the combination of the food and the fermentation with fruit that causes your upset stomach. The only exception is for diabetics for whom it is recommended to consume low glycemic index, whole fruits directly after a meal to avoid consecutive increases in insulin.

Tea/coffee: The acid from tea can harden the protein in a meal, making it difficult to digest. Tea has tannins, drinking it immediately after a meal will also interfere with iron absorption by the body. Avoid tea or coffee one hour before and after meals.

Water: Research shows that sipping a little water during meals isn’t a huge problem, but drinking a glass or two may interfere with digestion. It is best to drink fluids before and two hours after meals as this helps in absorption of nutrients, researchers have found.

Sleeping: While you’re napping, your body is hard at work digesting that last meal, and this can lead to problems ranging from indigestion and weight gain to a possible increased risk for a stroke.

Bathing: Especially with warm water, bathing causes more blood to flow to hands and feet and less to the digestive tract, delaying digestion.

(Written by: Nathalie Djabrayan, licensed clinical dietitian at The Djabrayan Chiropractic Care & Diet Center)