You may have heard of the “hot girl walk.” Now, a new trend is catching attention: the so-called “fart walk.”
Canadian cookbook author @mairlynsmith, who calls herself the “queen of fiber,” started this after-dinner walk. She claims it can help you “age wonderfully” and lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes.
“My husband and I take these walks most nights after dinner,” Smith said in a video on Instagram with nearly 500,000 likes. “Walking helps manage our blood sugar and keeps it from spiking. After 40, your risk of Type 2 diabetes rises, so this really matters.”
Why Post-Meal Walks Work
More than one-third of U.S. adults had prediabetes in 2021, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Prediabetes happens when blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be diabetes. It increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Erin Palinski-Wade told CBS News that walking after meals is smart. She also recommends it to clients—though not under the viral name.
“I suggest moving after eating—not vigorously, but in a moderate way where you can talk comfortably,” she said. “This helps digestion and overall health.”
Movement activates the body, including the gut, which improves gut mobility. While the trend’s name refers to passing gas, the real benefits come from walking itself, Palinski-Wade said.
“Moving supports the gut and the whole body. Any gas relief is just a bonus,” she added.
Walking and Blood Sugar
Walking after meals helps regulate blood sugar. “Walking uses energy, which moves glucose from the bloodstream into cells,” Palinski-Wade said. Consistent walking can help keep blood sugar steady throughout the day.
How to Get Started
Consistency matters. Evening walks work best because people are usually more sedentary after dinner. Sitting after large meals can lead to indigestion, acid reflux, and higher blood sugar.
Walks can last 5 to 30 minutes. Smith suggests starting small—even 2 minutes can help. She usually walks 10, 15, or 20 minutes after dinner.
Palinski-Wade recommends choosing the meal after which you sit the most. Keep a moderate pace—you should be able to talk without gasping for air.
Smith agrees: “It’s more about a gentle, steady walk than a brisk workout,” she said.
Resources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/
https://knowledgenexuses.com/
