Limit Processed Carbohydrates And Sugars
Do you ever feel exhausted after eating a high-carb meal? You are experiencing postprandial fatigue or a sugar crash. When you consume too many carbs or sugars, they break down quickly and cause your glucose to rise steeply. Your body responds by sending large amounts of insulin to normalize your glucose levels. Sometimes this can happen too soon, causing a rapid decline that can tax your body.
Sugary snacks may satisfy us in the short run, but the increased blood sugar swing can make you feel more tired. Rather than reaching for the sugar, go for carbs such as those found in vegetables, fruit, and honey, which can provide a good source of immediate energy.
Does Getting Tired After Eating Mean Diabetes
Not necessarily. As highlighted above, feeling tired after eating is a common occurrence and happens for a variety of reasons, many of which are entirely normal. That being said, constantly feeling tired after eating can be a sign of diabetes, so if you are at all concerned then speak to your doctor, who can run some tests.
You Consume Stimulants Like Caffeine
There is nothing wrong with starting your day with your favorite cup of coffee. Coffee is one of those foods that can help us stay alert during the day. But overdoing the coffee mugs can cause the opposite effect and make you feel sleepy.
Why do you feel tired after eating or taking caffeine? Simple: Too much caffeine will eventually make the energy-boosting effect wear off. This happens especially during your next coffee break in the afternoon or after lunchtime.
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Sugar And Its Affect On Sleep
The more sugar you consume, the more that it will affect your bodys ability to get in some quality sleep. While you sleep, your body goes through different levels of deep rest, and the most rejuvenating level is called rapid eye movement sleep .
The more sugar you have before bed, the less of a chance you have of staying in deep Rapid Eye movement sleep. Even if you do not fully wake up during the night, it can pull you out of REM sleep, affecting the sensations of feeling well-rested in the morning.
Tired After Eating Is A Normal Condition
In most cases, the tiredness that you feel after eating a food is a normal situation. Everybody will experience this thing. Here are some explanations on why feeling tired after having a meal is a normal condition.
This is the most ideal explanation on why you always feel tired after having a meal. You just feel tired because of your body reacts to the food that you already just ate. After you consume sweet or bakery products, thats pretty normal if you feel tired afterwards. Food that has a great amount of sugar causes your brain to release high amounts of neurotransmitter and serotonin hormone, which will make people tend to fall asleep.
Besides, eating bakery products that contain flour will also make the blood sugar rise higher than normal. This thing will stimulate your pancreas to release great amounts of insulin, which will transports protein blocks called tryptophan from the bloodstream to your brain, then it will convert into serotonin that will make you feel tired and sleepy.
Because your bodys attention is fully focused on digestion, the rest of your body tends to relax. This is why you feel tired and drowsy after having a meal. You might also feel tired after eating spicy foods. Your body needs to spend huge amounts of energy to digest spicy food. Also, spicy food will metabolize a chemical called capsaicin, which will make you feel tired.
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Fatigue Cause No 1: Heart Disease
When fatigue strikes during everyday activities, such as cleaning the house or weeding the yard, it can be a sign that your heart is no longer up to the job. If you notice it’s becoming increasingly difficult to finish tasks that were once easy, talk to your doctor about heart disease.
Fix: Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapeutic procedures can get heart disease under control and restore your energy.
Your Caffeine Addiction Isnt Doing You Any Favors
Your morning cup of Joe puts some pep in your step, but not for too long. The stimulating effects of caffeine typically have a half life of three-to-five hours after you chug it down, which means youll start to feel your 8 a.m. coffee buzz drop aroundyou guessed itlunchtime.So, feeling tired may be less about what you ate for lunch, and more about the timing of your first cup of coffee in the morning.
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Why Do I Get So Tired After Eating
If you find yourself overwhelmingly tired after a meal, you’re not alone. An overwhelming sense of tiredness after eating is quite common. It even has a fancy scientific name – postprandial somnolence.
In this post, we take a closer look at:
- The science behind post-meal tiredness
- Why you might feel so tired after eating
- What you can eat to feel energized throughout the day
Food Intolerance Or Food Allergies
An intolerance of or an allergy to certain foods can be another cause of post-meal tiredness. Food intolerances and allergies can impact digestion or other bodily functions.
Other acute or chronic symptoms may also be present, including gastrointestinal upset, skin conditions, and headache or migraine.
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Fatigue Cause No : Caffeine Overload
Caffeine can improve alertness and concentration in moderate doses. But too much can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and jitteriness. And research indicates too much actually causes fatigue in some people.
Fix: Gradually cut back on coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and any medications that contain caffeine. Stopping suddenly can cause caffeine withdrawal and more fatigue.
Hormones That Make You Feel Sleepy After Eating Lunch
There are different hormones that play a role in sleep and energy balance in the human body.
Melatonin
Created by the human body naturally, Melatonin is a hormone that is responsible for regulating the sleeping and waking-up cycle for us. Did you know that darkness causes the body to produce more Melatonin? That is how our body knows that we need to sleep at night. There has been extensive research, and it has been found that blue light affects sleep in a way that it decreases melatonin production and signals our body to stay awake. Also, you must have heard of a term called ‘insomnia‘ – a state in which a person cannot sleep at all. Low levels of this hormone can cause sleep issues in the body. Hence, medical experts have come up with some melatonin supplements that anyone can take to get a good night’s sleep.
On the other hand, there is one more hormone that influences our sleep cycle. Serotonin, a hormone released by the brain, is what makes a person drowsy.
Serotonin
This hormone is accountable for balancing our mood, sense of well-being, energy, and happiness. Not only our brain but serotonin also affects our entire body. If you want to get a workaround for your sleep, digestion, and mood altogether, it is serotonin. According to scientists, this hormone can contribute to post-meal sleepiness. So, even if you keep a check on what you are eating for lunch and your meal size, an imbalance of serotonin might make you feel like hitting the bed post-lunch.
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How Do I Know If Dairy Is Causing Inflammation
According to Naidoo, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea and acneto name just a few fun side effectsmay indicate that going dairy-free might be the way to go. One way to test if dairy is causing inflammation is to cut it out of your diet for about two to three weeks, and see how you feel, Naidoo says.
Increase Light Quality In The Middle Of The Day
Bright morning light will shift the time for sleep earlier, so you will tend to get sleepy and fall asleep earlier in the evening and wake up earlier in the morning.
If you cannot wake up early enough, go into a brightly lit area when you get up . Exposure to bright light throughout the day can have positive effects, including boosting alertness and mood. So try to allow natural light into your room whenever possible.
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Did You Know: A Healthy Response To Insulin Could Be The Difference Between Debilitating Fatigue And High Levels Of Energy
Insulin was discovered in 1922 by Dr. Frederick Banting. Nearly 100 years later, were still figuring out the effects this hormone has on your health and energy.
You likely know insulin as the medication that those with diabetes need to inject. That would be correct, but theres so much more to insulin! Especially the ways in which it can help you overcome fatigue.
When To See A Doctor
Aside from improving your diet, including by adjusting when and what you eat, you can also help fight fatigue by:
- focusing on getting enough sleep
- managing stress
- getting sunlight exposure during the daytime
- exercising
If these strategies dont help, its a good idea to visit your doctor about testing for food sensitivities, a thyroid issue and other potential health conditions, such as anemia, that may contribute to your tiredness. This is especially important if your fatigue interferes with your ability to work, attend school, parent, exercise, etc.
Your doctor can run several tests to check for signs of inflammation inside the body, including within the gastrointestinal tract, that may indicate an underlying cause of fatigue. You may also need a hormone panel test to check your thyroid and potentially other tests to rule out issues like nutrient deficiencies.
Additionally, it may be recommended that you keep a food journal in which you record when and what you eat. This way you can form patterns and identify potential trigger foods or combinations.
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Why Am I Hungry Every 2 Hours
Being constantly hungry can be caused by lack of protein, fiber and fat in your diet. Not getting enough sleep or being stressed can also affect your appetite. Registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, talks about why you may constantly feel hungry and how certain foods can help you feel full for longer.
The Things You Eat Affect Your Energy Levels
Proteins and carbohydrates are the major culprits of making you feel sleepy all the time post-meals. Now, you may think what protein has done? Protein foods have an amino acid known as Tryptophan that produces serotonin in the body. However, carbohydrates play a role in helping the body absorb Tryptophan. Keep a check on your protein and carb intake from now on! But that being said, what you eat will not become a problem if you control the how much you eat part.
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How Would You Describe Fatigue Associated With Pots
People with POTS experience fatigue differently. Many describe it as feeling beyond exhausted. Its as if your energy is completely depleted. The fatigue is probably hundreds of times worse than your worst flu. People with POTS may also have trouble concentrating and thinking straight. Doing simple tasks may feel like youve just run a marathon.
This fatigue might come and go, hitting you without warning daily, weekly or less frequently. For some people, extreme fatigue lasts for days. Others may experience periodic attacks. It can come on at any moment even if you just woke up. And there is no amount of sleep or coffee that can make it go away.
Caffeine: The Old Standby
Another thing you can try not mentioned by the articles we linked to is to take caffeine. As long as you keep your intake to 200 to 300 mg per day, caffeine is considered no problem. It is a stimulant that does not harm the body. In fact, many studies claim in moderate amounts caffeine benefits people, not just in boosting alertness but in reducing risk of disease and other types of pathology.
One good way to get caffeine is in Viter Energy Mints, healthful, flavorful mints that contain not just 40 mg of caffeine but also energizing B vitamins.
The mints are available through or our website .
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Tired After Eating 5 Potential Causes & Ways To Prevent It From Nutrition Experts
If a good meal leaves you ready for a nap, you’re not alone. Fatigue after a meal is a surprisingly common phenomenonand we’re not just talking about how you feel after Thanksgiving dinner. From hormones to food sensitivities, there are a number of potential culprits for that afternoon slump. Luckily, there are also a few workarounds.
Experiment With Meal Frequency And Sizes
Many people find it effective to alter the timing of meals and snacks. For some, getting in several small meals over the course of the day can help keep blood sugar levels in check and energy levels up. For others, this can be a lot of effort for little return since their bodies do just fine with three meals a day. Regardless of which one is better for you, if you want to stay healthy and feel energized, make sure you eat enough to support your body’s processes.
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Extreme Tiredness After Eating
Overwhelming tiredness after eating can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Diabetes is a health condition that affects your body’s production of insulin, which is needed to control your blood sugar levels. When you eat, your body begins to store sugar in its cells, but if you have diabetes, your body does not produce enough insulin to help control how much sugar is being stored. Spikes in blood sugar levels from eating can cause you to feel fatigued and lethargic, due to excess sugar in your bloodstream and cells. When enough insulin is once again produced to regulate your blood sugar levels, the glucose can be burned off as energy, thereby making you feel less fatigued.
Question: Why Do I Always Feel Hungry And Tired
If youre feeling tired and hungry all the time, the cause could be a combination of factors collectively known as adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is not a true medical condition but rather refers to a group of symptoms that may be related to adrenal gland function.
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Stick To Regular Mealtimes
There’s a lot of contradictory information out there when it comes to diet, but one thing is cleareating regularly matters. “The body performs best while operating on a consistent schedule with sleep, wake, and scheduled mealtimes,” says Naidoo. “This encourages balanced energy, constant blood to nourish the brain, and appropriate hunger cuesall contributing to optimal alertness and mental clarity.”
In other words, maintaining regular mealtimes can help you stave off those post-meal yawns.
Inflammation And Food Sensitivity
Researchers believe that another possible reason some people feel tired after meals has to do with inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines like TNF and IL-1b seem to suppress wakefulness-promoting orexin .
Some people have food allergies or sensitivities and get inflammation from specific components of their meals. Anecdotally, people have claimed to resolve excessive post-meal inflammation after getting diagnosed and treated for food sensitivity.
If you suspect that you have a food sensitivity or are curious to learn more, check out these articles:
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Bread Raises Blood Sugar Levels
Most breads contain some form of carbohydrates in them. After you eat the bread, your body will start to breakdown the carbohydrates to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
In those that do not have diabetes, insulin will naturally be produced to move the glucose from the bloodstream into muscle and fat cells to be used for energy.
However, if you have diabetes, then the glucose will remain in the bloodstream, causing hyperglycemia. When your blood sugar is high you can start to feel the onset of fatigue tiredness.
Patients with diabetes can see how their blood sugar is affected by various types of bread by easily checking their blood sugar with a glucose test strip.
Certain breads may also have a high glycemic index, which means its digested very rapidly. This can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar, leading to the feeling of being tired.
Other foods with a high glycemic index include:
- White and whole wheat bread
- White pasta and rice
- Watermelon and pineapple.
- Dried fruits such as dates, raisins, and cranberries.
Its interesting to note that although whole grains, in general, have a lower glycemic index, wholewheat bread is still likely to make you feel tired after eating in the same way that white bread does.
You are also more likely to feel tired after eating bread if you have a diet lacking in protein or healthy fats during your daily eating plan or if the bacteria in your gut and body are struggling to digest the energy source for some reason.
Learn More Healthy Holiday Tips Like This
Now that you understand the science behind why you always feel extremely tired after eating sugar, there is some other important healthy holiday advice you should follow as well.
Contact us to set up an appointment with one of our medical professionals to discover how you can achieve the healthiest feeling that your body is capable of.
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