How Long Do Different Foods Take To Digest And Why It Makes A Difference To Your Health

Most of us are interested in taking care of ourselves and weight loss is certainly something that is on the mind of many people. Perhaps you have heard the expression that ‘you are what you eat’ but do you realize exactly what it means? It is not only a matter of our energy and our entire being coming from the food that we eat, but it also makes a difference in our health as well.

One of the factors that are often left out when discussing different types of food is how long it takes for it to digest. Of course, this is going to differ depending upon a number of different factors such as age, health, metabolism and even gender. When you really get down to it, however, some foods travel through your system at lightning speed and other stick around for a while.

To break things down on a simple level, digestion time is how long it takes for the body to break down food into smaller particles that travel through the internal systems and end up in the bloodstream. If you are trying to lose weight, understanding digestion time can give you the upper hand.

Fast digesting food

If you eat food that digests quickly you find that you would eat a lot more in the process. Since it goes through the system so fast you end up hungry shortly after you eat. It gives you a burst of energy but that energy goes away quickly. It tends to pick you up and drop you on your head. What you don’t use up from the glucose you eat gets stored in fat cells.

Slow digesting food

When you eat food that digests slowly it tends to balance out your blood sugar levels. It also provides you with energy that will last for a lot longer. This type of food makes your digestive system work but it can be difficult for your body.

According to specialists, you should not mix two different types of foods in a single meal. You should also avoid eating food that digest quickly after you eat food that digests slowly since your digestive process is still working.

The best time for you to process foods is at lunch when your digestive system is the most active. Breakfast and dinner should be simpler meals that include products that are digested quickly. It gives you that energy boost and keeps your stomach empty at night.

1. Water

Enters your intestines immediately

2. Fruit and vegetable juice

15-20 minutes

3. Raw vegetables

30-40 minutes

4. Cooked vegetables

40 minutes

5. Fish

45-60 minutes

6. Salad with oil

1 hour

7. Starchy vegetables

1.5-2 hours

8. Grains

2 hours

9. Dairy

2 hours

10. Nuts

3 hours

11. Chicken

1.5-2 hours

12. Beef

3 hours

13. Lamb

4 hours

14. Pork

5 hours