How to Recover After a Competitive Eating Competition

Contestants in competitive eating competitions shovel down an amazing amount of food in a very little amount of time. But what happens when the competition is over? While everyone's body is different, there are a few time-tested recovery methods to follow.

Instructions

1. Prepare before the event. Practice diligently by eating one large meal each day or consuming large amounts of water or celery. This teaches your stomach to expand in preparation for an eating competition.

2. Rely on drugs. Taking an antacid before the competition may help the digestion process along after the eating competition.

3. Throw up. This is the best and quickest recovery method. By vomiting after the competitive eating event, you rid your body of all the food you've ingested.

4. Give it time. Don't make any plans for the few days following the eating competition and give your body time to pass the food. Prepare to be uncomfortable but realize your body will eventually go back to normal.

Tips & Warnings

• The International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) states you should never practice competitive eating at home. Medical personnel are available at sanctioned events for your safety while you don't have that luxury at home.

• Drinking large amounts of water in a short period of time can be detrimental to your health-even fatal. Know what you're doing before you attempt this technique.

• Get familiar with the competitive eating event's rules before you throw up. This is not allowed during competition of course but it may also be prohibited for a certain amount of time following the event. Also understand that, while throwing up may not be strictly against the rules, it is frowned upon in some circles.