Mistakes on an Empty Stomach
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid on an Empty Stomach
Nowadays, many people struggle with low energy, fatigue, and a bad mood early in the morning.
Surprisingly, even those who sleep well through the night face these issues.
This is often due to certain mistakes in daily routine and habits—especially related to what we do on an empty stomach.
Let’s explore five things you should never do on an empty stomach.
Some of these might surprise you—and you might realize you’re guilty of doing them every single morning.
1. Drinking Tea or Coffee First Thing in the Morning
One common mistake is drinking tea or coffee immediately after waking up.
When you have been hungry for some time or just woken up, your stomach contains a high amount of acid.
Adding coffee or tea to this already acidic environment increases the acid level, which can lead to acid reflux, bloating, and stomach discomfort over time.
Additionally, caffeine masks hunger.
Your body signals that it needs food, but instead of giving it nutrients, you trick it into feeling full—while actually depriving it of real energy.
The result? You feel overly hungry later in the day and end up overeating, which leads to weight gain.
👉 What to do instead: Eat a handful of dry fruits or fresh fruits at least 30 minutes before consuming tea or coffee.
This will help prepare your digestive system and balance your metabolism.
2. Skipping Breakfast
Another harmful habit is not eating breakfast. While it may seem like skipping breakfast helps save calories, it actually harms your metabolism.
Your body needs nutrients in the morning to function properly.
Skipping breakfast often leads to cravings and overeating later in the day, causing unstable blood sugar levels.
👉 Better choice: Choose a protein-rich breakfast to stay full, energized, and to support healthy metabolism.
3. Taking Painkillers Like Ibuprofen or Aspirin on an Empty Stomach
Taking painkillers on an empty stomach is a serious mistake.
Medicines like Ibuprofen and Aspirin can irritate the stomach lining, leading to gastritis or even ulcers over time.
👉 Safer option: Always take such medications with food to minimize potential damage to your gut.
4. Doing Intense Workouts Without Eating
Many people believe that working out on an empty stomach helps burn fat faster. While this might work for some, it often does more harm than good.
Without fuel, your body may begin breaking down muscles for energy instead of burning fat.
This can cause dizziness, tiredness, and even muscle loss.
👉 Listen to your body: If you experience such issues, eat a small snack like a banana or a handful of nuts 30–60 minutes before exercising.
However, if you feel strong and energized during fasted workouts, your body might be adapted to it—so you can continue.
5. Getting Into Arguments
Notice how little things annoy you when you’re hungry? That’s because hunger affects your mood and behavior.
This is often called being “hangry”—a mix of hungry and angry.
When blood sugar drops, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, making you more irritable and prone to emotional outbursts.
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Low blood sugar also reduces impulse control, so you’re more likely to say things you’ll regret.
👉 Avoid arguments when hungry: Eat something nutritious, even a small snack, to stabilize your mood and support rational thinking.
Final Line
Avoiding these five mistakes on an empty stomach can help improve digestion, stabilize energy and mood, and support your weight management goals.
Take care of your body—it reflects how you start your day.
FAQs
Q1. Why is it harmful to drink tea or coffee on an empty stomach?
Ans. Because it increases stomach acidity, leading to acid reflux, bloating, and discomfort. It also masks hunger, causing overeating later.
Q2. Is it okay to skip breakfast to lose weight?
Ans. No. Skipping breakfast slows metabolism and leads to cravings and overeating, which can result in weight gain.
Q3. Can painkillers like Aspirin be taken without food?
Ans. It’s not advisable. Taking them on an empty stomach can irritate the stomach lining and may lead to gastritis or ulcers.
Q4. Does exercising on an empty stomach help burn fat?
Ans. It might work for some, but it can also cause fatigue, dizziness, and muscle loss. It’s better to listen to your body.
Q5. Why do we get irritable when hungry?
Ans. Hunger lowers blood sugar, triggering stress hormones that affect mood and reduce impulse control—leading to anger and arguments.