don't go swimming after eating

[Corny]

My mother used to say it, my old trainer used to say it .. many other people say it.
After a meal, wait at least 30 mins before you go swimming. Some even say "before you take a bath".

And why?
I can only imagine that your circulation is supposed to be pretty weak since the body is occupied with digestion. But unless you stuffed yourself (which makes you feel pretty sleepy), I don't see how that would influence you. And afaik - after 30 mins your body is anything but done with digesting ..
Truth? Urban legend?

Actually I pretty often have a small (like some bread + half an apple) meal before hitting the water.

 

[hungrybrownbear]

I was a competitive swimmer in high school, and I would eat loads and loads of food right before doing 4 hour workouts. It actually gave me the energy to keep on going rather than hinder me....

Here:

"Wait a half hour after eating before you can safely go swimming." This one seemed almost universally accepted when I was a child and is still believed today. The myth involves the possibility of suffering severe muscle cramping and drowning from swimming on a full stomach. While it's true that the digestive process does divert the circulation of the blood toward the gut and to a certain extent, away from the muscles, the fact is that an episode of drowning caused by swimming on a full stomach has never been documented. Neither the American Academy of Pediatrics nor the American Red Cross makes any specific recommendations about waiting any amount of time after eating before taking a swim. There's a theoretical possibility that one could develop a cramp while swimming with a full stomach, but a person swimming in a pool or controlled swimming area could easily exit the water if this happens. As with any exercise after eating, swimming right after a big meal might be uncomfortable, but it won't cause you to drown.

 

[ashonfire]

My understanding is that it's wise to eat something in the ten minutes or so before doing any exercise. A big meal is too much for me but I'll always have a banana and/or some nuts just before I run or swim.

 

[3nipples]

It was a total drag when we picnicked at the beach and I wasn't allowed to go back in the water for a whole hour after eating... I don't know the science behind it, but I figure it's like having to put on a sweater when your a kid because your grandmother feels cold... in other words, when you're over 70 and your circulation isn't what it used to be, then the temperature change while your blood is pumping around your stomach might not be advisable, but when you're young and healthy it isn't a problem.

 

[KaraBulut]

There were a bunch of these things that we were all told- like not to mix dairy and seafood- that are taken as "rules" but there's not really any studies that support them.

The theory would be that after consumption of food, there is a shunting of circulation from the muscles to the stomach, intestines and liver. If you work muscles, then in theory either the muscles get cheated or the stomach gets cheated. It was never clear whether it would be your stomach that cramped or your muscles that cramped. But we were assured that we would drop like a stone to the bottom of the lake, never to be seen again.

There's no real studies that support this. It's probably not a good idea to eat a full meal within an hour of any workout but consuming a snack is probably not going to cause you problems- at the most you might get a little queasy.

 

[star-warrior]

Hmm, my parents say we shouldn't have a bath soon after eating too. She also sayswe shouldn't eat honey after tofu. Something about it not digesting properly.

 

[Audio Tech]

It's a myth. It has been proven that there are no ill effects from swimming after eating. You CAN get a cramp, however, if you don't stretch a little before any exercise.

Now... I wouldn't go surfing right after a thanksgiving meal, but other than that.... It's no problem.

 

[KaraBulut]

Hmm, my parents say we shouldn't have a bath soon after eating too. She also sayswe shouldn't eat honey after tofu. Something about it not digesting properly.

Haven't heard that one before.

There is a problem giving honey to babies and immunocompromised patients. Honey for the most part is bacteriostatic because the high sugar concentration. However Clostridium is one of the exceptions- the spores can survive in pure honey. So, honey can cause botulism if given to infants and people with compromised immune systems.