We have all been there … you are feeling relaxed and full after a lovely meal and suddenly you cannot stop yawning and are struggling to keep your eyes open. What is with that?
Feeling Tired After Eating – Tips to Boost Energy Levels
It is actually quite normal to feel a little sleepy after you have eaten. That drop in energy levels after eating even has a fancy name – postprandial somnolence.
Eating triggers your body to start the digestive process and breaking down the food you have just eaten takes a lot of energy. Digestion is quite a complex process, but in simple terms your body will increase the amount of blood flowing to your stomach and intestines and decrease the amount of oxygen flowing to your brain. This drop in oxygen is one of the main reasons you will feel sleepy after eating.
The time of day you eat will also have an impact on your energy levels. Your internal body clock, or circadian rhythm, is set on a 24-hour cycle with a natural dip in energy levels just after midnight and midday. So you are likely to feel sleepy in the afternoon whether you have just eaten lunch or not.
But the food you eat can also be a significant factor in why you feel tired after eating. Blood sugar levels and the production of hormones called melatonin and serotonin can all be affected by the types of food we eat. This means that although the digestion process is consistent for different types of food, not all foods will have the same effect on your energy levels.
For example, you may feel sleepier than usual after eating carbohydrates, because these will trigger your body to produce more serotonin, which is then converted to melatonin, both of which contribute to drowsiness. On the other hand, eating a meal that contains both fibre and protein will help keep your blood sugar levels stable.
We may be stating the obvious here, but sugar-laden foods will be digested much more quickly and lead to a more drastic drop in your energy levels than protein-based meals.
Alcohol impacts the central nervous system and has a sedative effect, so an alcoholic drink with your meal will make you even more drowsy.
Your sleep quality and hydration levels can also have an impact on your overall energy levels, so developing good habits in these aspects of your life will certainly help.
Of course, if you experience excessive levels of fatigue after eating we recommend you see a health professional to rule out any possible underlying conditions such as food intolerances, allergies, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, indigestion or other gut issues.
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