Diving is not only an exciting venture, but also a challenge, especially for our stomachs. What can we allow ourselves, and what would be better to remove temporarily from the menu? Here are our suggestions!
The first fundamental rule for our health and stomach is an adequate level of hydration. It turns out that divers should consume at least two liters of water before they go down to the water surface. Why is this? Well, water helps to dilute the blood, which in turn speeds up and facilitates the transport of gases. In case of poor hydration, we may, in turn, suffer from caeson disease, which means that our body will react very badly to a sudden change in external pressure. Moreover, it is important to take care of the right electrolyte levels. Inadequate hydration or insufficient supply of salt ions to the body slow down its operation – which means we simply lose energy. It is also worth mentioning that under no circumstances should you drink alcohol in the time before diving. Drinks containing ethanol can lead to thickening of the blood, increased blood pressure, weakened motor functions of the body and impaired cognitive function
Breakfast before diving is an absolute must. However, it’s worth asking first what it should consist of and what we should avoid. The answer to the latter question is simple: heavy, fatty, fried foods and simple sugars. It will be better to switch to a meal that will be filled with light delicacies, but at the same time with those that will provide us with the right amount of energy, for example: fruit, dried fruit, breakfast cereals, dry toast, bagels, eggs (preferably boiled). So to sum up: a meal should consist of light, non-fat, wholesome food. It would be good if our menu contained, among others, antioxidants, vitamin C, magnesium and coenzyme Q10. From juices it will be a good idea to reach for beet juice. The last meal should be eaten at least 2 hours before entering the water.
Of course, you should not deny yourself small pleasures of everyday life. However, they should also be kept in moderation. Especially during breaks, between underwater sessions, your stomach may demand something to digest. In such circumstances a full meal will not be advisable. We recommend fruit (e.g. bananas), energy bars, cookies, natural yoghurts etc. Above all, the idea is to provide the body with meals that will not be hearty and heavy, but will provide a kind of quick energy boost.
Main photo: Sebastian Pena Lambarri/unsplash.com
