5 foods you should never eat before you swim

If you’re a swimming enthusiast or someone who enjoys it as a leisure activity, then you must avoid a list of foods before swimming.

Certain foods can impact your performance and overall experience in the water. Take a look.

Eating foods with high fat content before taking a swim can lead to indigestion and discomfort, and ice cream is a major culprit.

Since your body is often in a horizontal position when you’re swimming, acid reflux can become an issue, and spicy foods can make it worse. Steer clear of hot sauces and peppers before you take a dip to decrease chances of discomfort.

Hydrate with water or sports drinks instead of fruit juices and sugary sodas, which can cause bloating and cramping. The content of these beverages puts pressure on the outer layer of your abdominal wall, which can put a damper on any swimming excursion. So, be careful about what you’re eating and drinking.

Beans and legumes like lentils and split peas have tons of fiber, which is great for your health, but not ideal when it comes to feeling great in your swimsuit. If you eat lots of them before swimming, you could experience constipation, bloating and cramping—none of which will make you feel like splashing around much. You should also avoid other fibre-rich vegetables like broccoli.

Caffeine might give you a burst of energy for swimming laps, but the negative effects outweigh the positives. Drinking coffee and energy drinks could cause you to experience diarrhea or nausea in the water, plus there’s a good chance you’ll get dehydrated.