After a busy morning, lunch is necessary to refuel your body. But sometimes, lunch is the main factor that makes you want to take a nap right at your desk.
According to CNN, the feeling of tiredness after a meal is also known as postprandial sleepiness. This phenomenon is mainly due to the fact that after eating, the body can produce more serotonin - a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep and mood. This substance can be produced more if the meal contains a lot of the amino acid tryptophan - an amino acid found in chicken, cheese and fish.
Here are some other causes of fatigue after eating.
Eating too much food will make the body tired more easily.
Meals that are too heavy or sugary
Eating too much food can make you feel tired more easily. If you feel tired after a meal, consider slowing down and cutting down on your portion sizes, says Julie Stefanski, RD, of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
“Because no matter what you eat, whether it's carbs, fat, protein, if you eat too much of it, it takes your body a long time to digest that amount of food,” says Stefanski.
Additionally, the composition of certain foods can contribute to feelings of fatigue. Fats are the most difficult nutrients to digest because their molecules are much larger than proteins or carbohydrates. If you have eaten a high-fat meal, such as fried food or pizza, you will feel more tired.
Foods high in added sugars like honey and syrup can also make you feel tired more easily.
Sugary drinks can also make you feel tired after eating, says Stefanski. Alcohol, a sedative, can also cause the same effect.
Poor sleep quality
According to CNN, sleep helps regulate hormones, including digestive hormones. And if you're sleep deprived, your body may suppress hormones that signal hunger or fullness.
Not getting enough rest can also negatively affect your decision-making ability, emotional regulation, and your brain’s ability to regulate food intake. This makes it harder to resist cravings. As a result, your body tends to consume more food, causing you to feel tired.
Experts recommend getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night in a cool, quiet room. Additionally, you should avoid caffeine at least 6 hours before bed to avoid affecting sleep quality.
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