Do you ever feel cold after eating? Do you ever feel tired, dull or dizzy after eating? There are many opinions and interpretations as to the cause of these phenomena.
Some doctors attribute these experiences to low iron, low blood count, or low or high blood pressure. Others believe that a low carbohydrate diet will cause you to feel chilled after eating. Stress and intensity can also contribute to this experience. Most will agree that your blood is being drawn to and focused on your digestive process. This diverts blood away from your extremities as well as your cognitive brain.
In a healthy body, feeling chilled after eating is a sign of an imbalance in the digestion. With a properly functioning digestion, you should actually feel a little warm after eating. By firing up the digestive enzymes, which break down your food, heat is generated and can be felt throughout the body.
Without spending a lot of time investigating why you feel cold after eating, it is sufficient to say there is a weakness in your digestive process or you are eating improper foods. There are a few simple guidelines that will help strengthen your digestion and keep your body balanced during this natural process.
You should think of food as nourishing medicine for your bodies. While eating can be entertaining, you need to maintain an awareness of what you are consuming and how it effects your body and mind. If you feel cold after eating you should begin by eliminating cold, raw foods from your diet. This includes salads, ice cream, cold drinks, frozen foods as well as any vegetables or refrigerated foods that have not been cooked. Of course, since there are many nutritional benefits in cold, raw foods, it's important to speak with a healthcare provider to arrange an appropriate diet.
All foods should be lightly cooked, whether it be sautéed, steamed, baked or broiled. Your entire meal should be warm and nourishing. Favor sweet (wheat, milk and rice), sour (yogurt, tomatoes and citrus) and salty foods. Do not overeat, as that can also make you feel cold after eating. You should sip hot water during your meals and throughout the day. After your meals, a short walk (15-30 minutes) will aid your digestion.
A great aid to prevent feeling chilled after eating is to eat a “ginger pickle” about 15-30 minutes before your meals. This involves taking a thin slice of fresh ginger and a thin slice of fresh lime and sprinkling lightly with salt. Eating a ginger pickle before each meal will quickly strengthen your digestive enzymes, clear your liver and prepare your stomach and intestines for the process of digestion. This is also an excellent remedy for nausea, whether it is from flu, pregnancy or seasickness.
It is also important to have pleasant conversation during meals. You are metabolizing your emotions during meals along with the food itself so light enjoyable company and conversation is preferable. If you practice these guidelines for a minimum of ten days, you will strengthen your digestion and gain maximum value from the food you eat. By balancing your body so that you no longer feel cold after eating you will have a nice warm comforting experience, indicating a happy, healthy body.
Cold After Eating
There are a number of reasons that you may feel cold after eating. Most often, it is because of what you are or are not eating. The number of calories you eat is one of the biggest regulators your body has in terms of how much energy it produces, which in turn determines how hot or cold you feel. If you restrict how many calories you eat but are still getting adequate nutrition, you are more likely to have a lower body temperature, which may make you feel chilled after eating or even all the time.
Intermittent fasting is another type of dieting that may cause you to feel cold after you eat. People who do the IF diet follow a specific schedule. Some people fast for 14-16 hours a day and eat for 8-10 while others only eat every other day. While some doctors recommend IF dieting for some patients due to its health benefits, it should also be noted that it is more likely to leave you feeling chilled after eating. It may be because your blood sugar is dropping too low during your fasting windows. Talk to your doctor before starting an IF diet to ensure you do not damage your body.
Even some of the foods you eat can cause you to feel more chilled after eating. When you think of spicy chilis, you probably think of heat. While it's true that eating these types of foods will leave your mouth feeling hotter, eating chili-based foods can actually cause a cooling feeling throughout the rest of the body due to a chemical known as capsaicin. When ingested, the chemical causes your brain to think your body is overheating and to lower your temperature.
Peppermint tea, ice-cold drinks, or cold foods such as ice cream may also cause you to feel cold for about five minutes after eating.
Chills After Eating
If you consistently feel cold after you eat, it could indicate that you have a medical condition and should see a doctor.
Anemia
Some people do not have as many healthy red blood cells as they should, which leads to a diagnosis of anemia. Anemic people often feel cold because their blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen throughout the body. Although body chills can happen at any time of day, many report that they feel it more often after eating. Other symptoms include irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Hypothyroidism
People who have uncontrolled hypothyroidism often feel cold after eating. Hypothyroidism occurs when your body's thyroid gland doesn't make enough of the hormones that are necessary to increase your metabolism and keep your digestive functions working properly. When your body isn't making enough energy and puts it all into digesting food, it may cause you to feel cold. If you have other signs of hypothyroidism, such as weight gain, fatigue, or muscle aches, bring them up at your next doctor's appointment. Diagnosis typically requires a blood test.
Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome
Someone who experiences body shakes and chills a couple of hours after eating rather than directly after may be experiencing a symptom of idiopathic postprandial syndrome. IPS creates symptoms of low blood sugar levels in people who do not actually have low blood sugar. People who experience chills and shakes may also get dizzy, feel weak, or feel clammy. Although there is no specific cause of IPS, research shows it may be more prominent in people who eat foods high in carbs and sugar.
How To Stop Getting Chills After Eating
The best thing you can do to help yourself stop getting chills after you eat is to change your diet. Foods that are high in carbohydrates or sugar can wreak havoc on your system and confuse your brain. Instead, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Stick to healthy oils and whole grains as well. Fish, beans, and poultry are excellent choices for protein options, while fresh produce is preferred over canned items that may have additives. Be sure you get enough calories for your body's needs and avoid starting low-carb or keto diets without first talking to your doctor.
Of course, it is still okay to eat ice cream or other cold food and drinks from time to time, even if they are "junk" foods. When you do decide to indulge, don't be afraid to grab your favorite sweater or blanket and enjoy your treat in front of the television. After all, everybody deserves to relax with something yummy from time to time.
