If you often feel tired following eating, you’re probably wondering if there’s something you should avoid or eat specifically to boost your energy. Feeling drowsy following a meal is a common problem that many people experience following lunch (hence the name “followingnoon fatigue”). This is also the time of day when cravings for sugar and caffeine tend to kick in, which is tempting as it can offset followingnoon fatigue.
Rather than masking your fatigue with sweets and coffee, a better approach is to structure your meals to support your energy. We’ll see below how to do this, and which foods to limit that can cause you to lose your energy.
Why am I tired following eating?
What do you call being tired following eating? Another way to describe being in a “food coma” is postprandial fatigue, also known as postprandial drowsiness. You’re more likely to feel this way following eating a large meal, especially if it’s high in fat, refined carbs, and/or sugar (once the effect of the sugar wears off). If you find your motivation and focus dwindling soon following you finish a meal, you’re probably wondering, “Why am I crashing following eating?” »
One of the main causes of feeling tired following a meal is a drop in blood sugar (glucose).
After eating sweets or refined carbohydrates, insulin levels rise, but a few hours later levels drop and blood sugar levels plummet. This phenomenon can cause feelings of lethargy, fatigue, food cravings and brain fog, although the severity of these symptoms varies from person to person.
Sugar and processed “white” carbs also cause the release of more serotonin, which is a “happiness chemical” but can also make you feel relaxed and sleepy. Other reasons why you feel sleepy following eating include the functioning of your parasympathetic nervous system and your circadian rhythm.
Your parasympathetic nervous system is the part of your nervous system that is in charge of the “rest and digest” processes. It reacts to ingesting a meal by making you feel more relaxed. Animals, including humans, have built-in “vigilance cues” that keep them awake and alert when hungry. These signals help them locate and acquire food. It follows that when an animal (or a human) has eaten a lot, these alertness signals dissipate and are replaced by feelings of fatigue.
Eating also causes a rush of blood to the digestive system to aid digestion. Breaking down food actually takes a lot of work out of your body, and this process consumes a lot of energy and can cause your mood and level of arousal to plummet. Your circadian rhythm, or “internal clock,” plays a role in your energy levels throughout the day, including following eating. It is considered natural and ‘normal’ to feel a little tired in the followingnoon, usually between 2 and 4 pm, which is a few hours following most people’s lunchtime. You may feel sleepy due to your normal circadian cycle rather than your last meal.
How to Stop Being Tired After Eating
What foods cause fatigue?
You should avoid consuming too many carbs (especially refined carbs) and sugar all at once, without consuming enough protein, fiber, and fat to balance it all out. Large, heavy, high-fat meals (fried foods, fast foods, and processed meats) can also rob you of energy because your body takes time to digest them. In some people, food sensitivity can also contribute to postprandial sleepiness. Sensitive foods or potential allergens may include wheat/gluten, dairy, tree nuts or shellfish. Of course, alcohol can also lower your mood and ability to concentrate, so avoid alcoholic beverages if you know you need to be up and running.
Why are we tired following a big meal?
Meal times are a matter of preference, as each person is a little different. Some prefer to eat two or three meals a day, for example if they practice intermittent fasting, while others prefer to eat every three or four hours. Experiment a bit to see which schedule works best for you. You may be a person who benefits from eating three small meals and one or two snacks a day, as these smaller meals put less strain on your digestive system.
What is the best composition of meals to prevent fatigue?
Overall, try to strike a balance by including high-fiber foods, healthy fats, protein, and vegetables. Be careful not to binge on refined carbs like pasta dishes, cereals, protein-free cereal bowls, noodle dishes, sweets, etc. When in doubt, add a few veggies to a protein dish, like sautéed chicken or fish, and stir in some fat, like olive oil or sliced avocado, to top it all off. Keep in mind, however, that excess protein causes some people to feel sluggish, likely due to an increased release of tryptophan, an amino acid found in protein foods like turkey, milk, meat, and eggs. , which triggers the production of serotonin.
What are the best foods to boost your energy?
Above all, try to eat enough protein, such as:
– poultry
– grass-fed meat
– eggs
– Fish
– vegetable proteins such as beans and nuts
Complex carbs, such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, can also give you a quick boost of energy, but don’t overdo it. Foods that provide you with B vitamins, such as B12 and B6, vitamin D, and iron can also help boost your energy levels. B vitamins and iron are especially important for supporting digestion and the metabolic processes that turn nutrients from your diet into usable energy.
Finally, be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water (and not too much caffeine, alcohol, or sugary drinks), as hydration is essential to feeling your best.