Many of us have experienced the post-swimming munchies and children are no different. Here’s why you are most likely to be hungry after a swim.
Exercise boosts your appetite
Swimming like other activities, burns calories, which in turn can produce a hunger-causing hormone, which encourages you to eat the calories you have burnt.
Body Temperature
Swimming is a workout for your lungs, heart and nearly every muscle in your body but it also means the body has to maintain a 98.6 degree Fahrenheit temperature while immersed in the water. A majority of swimming pools are much cooler than this, so the body has to work hard to keep itself warm. This is similar to the principle of when you are outside in the winter and your body works hard to keep warm. Our bodies activate brown fat stores when the temperature drops, revving up your metabolic rate in order to stay warm. Children wouldn’t feel this affect as much in the Swim Generation’ pools as the temperatures are always kept between 85-87 degrees Fahrenheit.
Swimming is a hugely effective form of exercise and one of the best there is, especially for people in search of a low-impact way to stay fit. The best way to avoid the post-swim munchies is to take a short, brisk walk to raise your body temperature before you start snacking.