# Swimming after you eat? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 2, 2000, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swimming-after-you-eat/27904 "2000-08-02T22:18:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![triton277](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@triton277](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/triton277)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2000, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swimming-after-you-eat/27904/1 "2000-08-02T22:18:43Z")
I am in the process of eating a huge bowl of macaroni and cheese, and it just dawned on me that I want to go swimming. I play water polo, so I won’t drown. But I can’t decide, should i swim or wait the obligatory half hour or whatever? Somebody help! ---
**Author:** ![Meephead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b782af/32.png) [@Meephead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meephead)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2000, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swimming-after-you-eat/27904/2 "2000-08-02T22:24:06Z")
I have never had a problem with jumping right into the pool, or any other physical activity right after eating. I have heard that some people get cramps, but I am guessing that if you overeat, then are immediately active, then that is the problem. I prefer to eat more sensibly. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2000, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swimming-after-you-eat/27904/3 "2000-08-02T22:26:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by triton277 \* > \*\*Somebody help! \*\* You mean somebody like [Cecil Adams](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_087.html)? ---
**Author:** ![triton277](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@triton277](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/triton277)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2000, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swimming-after-you-eat/27904/4 "2000-08-02T22:30:12Z")
I’ll ask him. I guess it’s worth a try. But just to end the suspense, I’m going swimming right now and I just finished eating about 90 seconds ago. If you don’t hear from me again…wait longer. ---
**Author:** ![triton277](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@triton277](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/triton277)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2000, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swimming-after-you-eat/27904/5 "2000-08-02T22:31:57Z")
I guess it would be stupid of me to ask Cecil when he has already written a column about it huh? Guess I should have clicked on the link instead of just making assumptions. You know what happens when you assume? You make an ass out of u and me. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2000, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swimming-after-you-eat/27904/6 "2000-08-02T23:13:57Z")
If you eat a banana which has potassium, it’ll prevent cramps. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2000, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swimming-after-you-eat/27904/7 "2000-08-03T06:06:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\* > If you eat a banana which has potassium, it’ll prevent cramps. \*\* And make you [glow](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=32293), thereby simplifying the search for your lifeless body.