Dietitians reveal which foods you should NEVER eat on an empty stomach – or risk spending hours on the toilet

Caffeine addicts take note: Waking up and getting your fix first thing in the morning can spell big trouble.

A group of leading dietitians revealed that coffee is one of eight things to avoid when eating or drinking on an empty stomach.

Perhaps more surprisingly, you should also beware of citrus fruits and even yogurt, a breakfast staple, as they can lead to uncomfortable bathroom trips.

Less surprising is alcohol: consuming drinks on an empty stomach can make you get drunk faster, but it also makes you more likely to have a hangover.

However, according to Dr. Robynne Chutkan of Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC, the biggest risk is coffee.

Caffeine can stimulate the stomach to produce more acid, leading to reflux symptoms such as heartburn, nausea or vomiting, chronic coughing, bad breath and bloating.

The drug can also relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and allow stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, causing acid reflux.

The gastroenterologist told me Really simple Caffeine can have these effects whether your stomach is empty or not, but if you haven’t eaten the impact can be more severe.

A group of leading dietitians have revealed eight drinks and foods you should never consume on an empty stomach

Dr. Tracey Brigman, a registered dietitian and clinical associate professor at the University of Georgia’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, told DailyMail.com, “Caffeine is absorbed more quickly on an empty stomach, which can increase any uncomfortable effects.”

To prevent stomach complaints, dietician Johanna Salazar recommends having a small protein-rich snack before drinking coffee, so that you feel comfortable all day long.

Popular choices include overnight oats, a smoked salmon bagel, a chia seed muffin, a breakfast sandwich, or a serving of nuts.

Foods like this can absorb some of the coffee and will make it easier for the stomach to tolerate coffee [reduce uncomfortable] side effects,” Salazar told Real Simple.

Like coffee, experts say caffeinated tea should also be avoided on an empty stomach.

Black tea is the worst offender, as it traditionally contains more caffeine than other types, while herbal teas such as chamomile, hibiscus and peppermint are naturally caffeine-free.

As with coffee, dietitians recommend having a snack before drinking a cup of caffeinated tea to avoid any stomach upset.

In addition to caffeinated drinks, carbonated drinks such as seltzer and soda are also a no-go on an empty stomach.

Dr. Brigman says they can cause immediate “bloating and discomfort,” and lead to unpleasant belching, because the carbon dioxide gas can trap in your stomach and cause pressure.

And Salazar warns that if that fizzy drink contains sugar, drinking it on an empty stomach can quickly raise your blood sugar levels and be followed by an energy crash.

When it comes to food, dietitians also warned about another morning favorite: yogurt. While it may seem like a healthy start to the day, the experts recommend having something in your stomach first.

Dr. Brigmam told this site: ‘Dairy products can be difficult for some people to digest on an empty stomach, leading to gas, bloating and discomfort.’

And dr. Schopis emphasizes that yogurt contains lactic acid, which can irritate gastrointestinal symptoms and also destroy some of the beneficial probiotics it contains.

He advises: ‘It’s better to eat yoghurt on a full stomach, so have some of it [lactic] acid can be absorbed and not destroy some of those beneficial components.”

Another breakfast item that experts advise against is citrus fruits and juice.

They point out that the citric acid in popular morning foods such as fresh grapefruit, orange juice and sea oranges can irritate the intestinal lining.

Although fast food may seem like the most convenient thing to consume when hunger strikes, Dr. Brigmam this site: ‘Fatty foods take longer to digest, resulting in more acid production’

Like caffeine, this can also relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and lead to acid reflux.

Dr. Brigmam recommends consuming citrus drinks and foods with high-carbohydrate snacks to absorb excess acid and prevent discomfort.

If you’re going out for lunch and dinner, a greasy burger and fries can be appealing, but…told Dr. Brigmam told this website: ‘Fatty foods take longer to digest, resulting in higher acid production, which can be a problem for someone with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract.’

Even if you want to eat something on an empty stomach, spicy food is not on the menu.

The experts say the effects of spicy food can be even more serious if you’re not used to eating such sweat-inducing ingredients.

New York gastroenterologist Dr. Michael Schopis reveals why spicy meals on an empty stomach can cause gastrointestinal upset: “Most spicy foods contain a chemical called capsaicin. [which] binds to receptors in your gastrointestinal tract.

‘This makes your body think that something harmful has entered your gastrointestinal tract, increasing mucus production and speeding up digestion to remove the substance.

‘This can cause excessive indigestion, along with stomach upset, loose stools, urgency and diarrhea.’

The experts recommend building your tolerance to spicy foods gradually, increasing the heat level week by week or month by month.

You can also play around with portion sizes by eating a small amount of spicy food as a snack at first and building it up to a full meal.

And finally, dietitians recommend reserving sugary products for indulgence after a savory meal.

Dr. Brigmam concludes: ‘For someone monitoring their blood sugar levels, consuming sugary foods or drinks on an empty stomach can result in a blood sugar spike.

‘This could then be followed by a huge energy crash. Having something in your stomach beforehand can help balance these levels.”

Dr. Chutkan recommends eating high-fiber or high-carb foods first to slow the absorption of sugar.