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We’ve all been there: you’re sitting in a quiet classroom or office and your stomach starts growling–LOUDLY. You’re sure that everyone around you can hear it–but there’s nothing you can do it about the rumbling noises, because you don’t have any food nearby. It’s one of those situations where you feel super self-conscious in public–but what can be done?
Well, what if I told you that stomach growling isn’t a sign that you’re hungry– it’s just normal digestive activity. Say, whaaaat?! Yes, it’s just a myth that your stomach growls when you’re hungry. Not to get gross, but the growling is actually the sound of the digestive system combining food and fluids and pushing them through the intestinal tract (it contracts and relaxes to do this, a process called peristalsis). Eating something is just one solution for the problem (food in your stomach actually muffles the sound of the growling!), here are the others:
Don’t eat giant meals. When you eat too much, your digestive system goes into overdrive, which only makes the growling louder and more frequent.
Eat slowly and CHEW! Swallowing air, which can happen when you scarf down food too quickly, cause the growling to be louder because some of the noises we hear from peristalsis are air pockets getting squeezed.
Avoid foods that cause gas. Gas gets squeezed in the process, too, so you should avoid foods that cause it like cheese, milk, artichokes, pears, broccoli, beans, fast food and soda (or, if you have them, prepare yourself by taking anti-gas medicine.)
Take a walk! Walking or exercise in any mild form aides digestion, which should help the problem!
So, there you have it! A few quick tips for making stomach growling less loud and frequent.
[Photo: Always Judging]
