For some people, getting up and moving after eating a hearty meal is the last thing they want to do. It sounds nice to recline and relax after dinner, and for some there simply isn’t time to get up and move after lunch during a busy workday.
So what are the benefits, and how soon after eating—and for how long—should you be walking? Here’s what the research says.
While longer walks are ideal for overall health, people short on time will still benefit from post-meal walks: the 2022 meta-analysis also found that walking as little as two to five minutes after a meal was enough to help lower blood sugar.
“Medical studies show benefits with even light intensity—casual—walking. It’s the act of moving that unlocks health benefits, and a casual walk is also easier to keep up as a habit,” says Dr. Ali Shehata, family and emergency physician.
For more on walking for health:
