There are several factors that contribute to this post-meal phenomenon, and there are a few things you might be able to do to minimize those drowsy effects. Sometimes, make a glass of beer or coffee is more tempting, rather than consuming mineral water, but don’t do that if you don’t want to feel tired after eating. For an adult weighing 150 pounds (68 kg), that translates to about 340 mg (or 0.34 g) per day. Make sure that the food that you would like to eat contains complex carbohydrate and also high protein. Here is the example of foods you should choose because of its nutrients. In other words, it’s completely normal. All rights reserved. This condition can occur in both diabetics and non-diabetics. Or it could be that you simply no longer need to eat so often. Sleepiness and drowsiness are also connected with certain hormones and amino ⦠Stay healthy! Your body needs energy to function—not just to run after your dog or put in time at the gym—but to breathe and simply exist. It’s made worse if there’s inefficient or insufficient insulin to transport sugars to the cells for energy. Some people may mistakenly think that it relates to the consumption of food. You Can't Get To Sleep At Night. Also, spicy food will metabolize a chemical called capsaicin, which will make you feel tired. Inflammation and Food Sensitivity. Here are 27 foods that have been proven to help promote your energy…. Read more about iron deficiency anaemia. It’s possible that increased production of serotonin is responsible for that post-meal haze. An imbalance of serotonin can make the body seem worn out and sleepy after eating sweets. Instead, being active helps ensure that you have the energy to push through your days. I don't think there's a particular name for it, more often there are cause as to why it happens. These neurons are in the hypothalamus which is a part of the brain which regulates many process and almost all hormones. But orexin isn't the only sleep-related ⦠Researchers have turned up evidence of âpostprandial sleepiness,⦠It’s when the exercise feels impossible to finish. Sometimes people assume anorexia is just about slimming and dieting, but it is much more than this. These medical problems could be anemia, diabetics, kidney issues, hypothyroidism or an infection. Also, it requires a lot of energy for your body to digest large quantities of food which can make you feel drained and fatigued. If you regularly sneeze after eating, you might be wondering how something in your stomach can irritate your nose. 4 Answers. If you feel tired after a meal, there’s a good chance it’s just your body responding to all of the biochemical changes caused by digestion. Everyone feels tired now and then. Most of us have experienced the notorious food coma after a meal. "If you're feeling tired it could be also due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency. 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. Typically, you feel you can't be bothered to do anything, your muscles feel heavy, and you get tired very quickly. The USDA nutrient lists also show that tryptophan amounts for certain foods can vary depending on how they’re prepared or cooked. Hereâs a clue: what you eat is just as important as the size of your meal. At its core it is often connected to very low self-esteem, negative self-image and feelings of intense distress. Also take notes on how you feel. Sugars are the cells’ main source of energy, which explains why inefficient or insufficient insulin may leave you feeling tired. 1 decade ago. This would have advance effects on dropping your sugar level, which without a doubt will make you feel tired, drowsy, and sluggish. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Everybody will experience this thing. The reason for sleepiness after meals (it is absolutely normals) is a type of neuron called an orexin neuron. After a long day of being high, continuously smoking, eating, and basically doing nothing valuable with your waking hours, you start to get extremely sleepy. People tend to afraid that they are suffering from specific diseases and they ended up asking questions like “Why am I tired after eating?”. As already mentioned above, you should take mid-snacks in between your main meals schedule. They should be treated immediately as directed by your doctor. Diabetes is a kind of condition when your body couldn’t produce insulin properly. If someone with prediabetes or Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes feels tired after eating, it could be a symptom of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Although coffee is widely known to make you stay alert, coffee can make you become addicted to caffeine, and it is not a good thing. Postprandial somnolence has two components: a general state of low energy related to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system in ⦠See how the amount of tryptophan in turkey stacks up against some other foods, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Log into your account. The amino acid tryptophan is found in turkey and other high-protein foods such as: Tryptophan is used by the body to create serotonin. If you’re unaware of an underlying medical condition but have other symptoms in addition to post-meal sleepiness, your doctor can help you identify what’s causing the slump. Your healthcare provider can determine whether or not testing is necessary for a diagnosis and, if so, what tests are most appropriate. I just don't seem to have any energyânot even for my family." Since ever I get so tired after a meal that I have to lay down for 3-4 hours (when I canât I have a brain fog and cannot concentrate at all for an hour or so). Other acute or chronic symptoms may also be present, including gastrointestinal upset, skin conditions, and headache or migraine. The post-carb letdown is a real phenomenon, but you can do something about it to minimize the effect or avoid it altogether. your password To really discover what that is, I would suggest looking up Dr. Kelleyâs work with metabolic typing. your username. It doesn't always happen either. Other reasons for feeling tired after eating might be related to food allergies or intolerances, which are usually associated with digestive problems such as bloating, indigestion, wind, constipation or diarrhoea. Eating certain types of food or very large meals can both cause nasal irritation. But you are not recommended to consume snacks with high amount of sugar or carbs. You just feel tired because of your body reacts to the food that you already just ate. It could be MANY reasons why it happens; drop in blood pressure, sugar levels being high, the type of foods you are eating could be too heavy, slow in metabolism, lots of reasons for each individual. Some experts say the tiredness after eating is a normal condition. "You better get up soon," Dan called to his wife, Liang. Additionally, just as important as what we eat is how we eat. Simply feeling tired after eating isn't usually a sign of diabetes (or other medical conditions), Heidi Quinn, RDN, a certified diabetes educator at Harvard's Joslin Diabetes Center, tells LIVESTRONG.com 2. You may be able to draw some connections between your diet and how you feel, either on your own or with the help of a healthcare professional. Conditions that can make post-meal drowsiness worse include: If you’re frequently tired and have one of these conditions, talk to your doctor about possible solutions. Food intolerances and allergies can impact digestion or other bodily functions. Again, there are many factors to consider here, ⦠It's not uncommon to feel a little chilly after eating or drinking cold foods, but severe chills including shivering whenever you eat could indicate an underlying medical condition that needs a doctorâs attention. Food quality: Eating food with minimal nutritional value will leave you tired and fatigued after eating. The tiredness after eating is a form of reaction from your body to types of food you are consuming. For example, the Western Journal of Nursing Research found that carbohydrate intake greatly affected sleep patterns. The tiredness after eating is a form of reaction from your body to types of food you are consuming. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. When diverticula cause symptoms, such as pain in the lower tummy, it's called diverticular disease. Normal Body Temperature. For instance, you may experience chills after eating due to malnutrition, anemia, diabetes, anorexia, and immune deficiencies like AIDS and lupus. However, if you feel sleepy after a meal or find yourself taking a nap on the couch after eating, it may be because of your diabetes. When your blood sugar doesn’t store as glycogen or transformed as glucose, of course your blood sugar level will increase suddenly, which will lead to headache, dizziness, and fatigue. All of the life has been drained out of you. Peruvian Cuisine is Healthy, Just Ask Model Franco Noriega! What is a “Pain Cave” and How Do You Power Through It in a Workout or Race? While most of the common reason on why you feel tired after eating is because your body reaction to food that you just ate, there are also some concerns regarding your health when you are always feeling tired after having a meal, no matter what food you are consuming. However, if you feel sleepy after a meal or find yourself taking a nap on the couch after eating, it may be because of your diabetes. Digestive organs like small intestine and large intestine requires high amounts of energy so they can work properly. In addition, many people get sleepy after eating and even drowse into a nap after a meal, especially a large meal such as lunch or supper. Sleepiness can be one primary symptom of hypoglycemia, along with: Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are serious medical conditions, especially for people with diabetes. As the results, you wouldn’t gain any energy from your food after having a meal, which will make you feel tired and sleepy. Regularly feeling tired after eating is something to discuss with your doctor. However, if the symptom is disruptive or changing your lifestyle habits doesn’t seem to help, it might not hurt to talk to your doctor or to seek help from a dietitian. Amount of tryptophan in 100 grams (g) of food, reducing the amount of food eaten at a single meal. Hypoglycemia can also occur in someone with diabetes who has taken more insulin or other diabetes-specific medication than needed based on the foods they consumed. A decrease in energy levels after eating is called postprandial somnolence. In general, a little bit of sleepiness after eating is completely normal and nothing to worry about. It is normal to feel a little sleepy after eating lunch. We’ve all felt it — that drowsy feeling that sneaks in after a meal. "I feel so tired. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may occur due to consuming simple carbohydrates that are quickly digestible. If these signs occur, you might have some problems related to your health problems. "Eggs are perfect because they are ⦠Any kind of vegetables, including tomatoes, cabbage, sprouts, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, onions, etc. I f eating makes you tired, youâve got something in common with most peopleâand, for that matter, with most living things. Dietary and lifestyle habits that may help boost or sustain energy levels and counteract drowsiness include: A balanced diet that includes foods such as vegetables, whole grains, and fatty fish promotes sustained energy. "I feel so tired. Consuming foods with high-glycemic index carbohydrates will release high amounts of insulin, which will help to store the sugar you just consumed as glycogen. Just make sure that you keep yourself moving since it will help you to get proper blood flowing and get rid of tired feeling. Increased levels of serotonin simulated following a sugary meal can thus lead to you feeling sleepy. Tryptophan joins hydroxylase in the brain to form serotonin. Consuming mineral water is the best choice since this beverage will keep you hydrated troughout the day. To avoid feeling drowsy after lunch, try eating smaller lunches since a big meal can make you tired. Besides, eating bakery products that contain flour will also make the blood sugar rise higher than normal. Gluten intolerance is fairly common and can cause widespread symptoms, some of which are not related to digestion. Cherries affect melatonin levels, carbohydrates cause a spike and subsequent fall in blood sugar, and the minerals in bananas relax your muscles. Eating sugary foods or those made from flour, such as bakery products or pastas, causes blood sugar to rise higher than normal. The most common thing on why people tend to feel tired after eating is related to food that you consume. After eating, you should keep yourself active during the day, don’t just sit down in the same place for hours. Here are 14 common signs to look…. Answer Save. It might just be that you feel too tired or fed up to bother eating much. 1 is Excellent! Discover some simple solutions to this common complaint by considering not only what you eat but how you eat as well. For example, iron deficiency, which is very common in young females, particular those not eating meat," O'Hanlon said. In particular, some believe that there is a significant shift in blood flow from the brain to the stomach or gastrointestinal tract to aid in digestion. Sometimes itâs discomfort, other times itâs a feeling of heaviness that leaves us drained of our ⦠But, add to that a few hormonal shifts that happen in the body after a chow down, and you've got a recipe for food coma. Most people had this experience and sometimes this phenomenon makes people become little bit concerns about their health conditions. It can be a simple and helpful way to start identifying whether there are particular foods and ingredients, or other triggers, that may be having an impact on your energy levels. However, if you forced to consume unhealthy foods, just try to reduce the size of your portion. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Snack like fruit is best choice to maintain the energy level of your body and get rid of the feeling of tiredness after eating. It's possible to have too much iron, which can also cause tiredness, when it's known as iron-overload disorder (haemochromatosis). Some people may mistakenly think that it relates to the consumption of food. Relevance. Any ideas? Home » Disease & Disorder » Common Symptoms » 8 Causes of Tired After Eating (No.6-8 Deadly). For many people, feeling tired after eating, especially after they get their lunch, could be very disturbing since it will affect your productivity throughout the day. Postprandial somnolence (colloquially known as the itis, food coma, food drunk, after dinner dip, or postprandial sleep) is a normal state of drowsiness or lassitude following a meal. Food. It happens quite soon after a meal and can last an hour or so. You might notice that you feel more tired after lunch than breakfast or dinner. A large sugar crash after eating can make you feel extremely tired and want to curl up and doze off for a time. Most people believe that feeding on carbs or sugar is a perfect way to provide their bodies with energy. An intolerance of or an allergy to certain foods can be another cause of post-meal tiredness. It's the only nutrient we get too much of," she says. All content is informational purpose only, DrHealthbenefits.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment. 8 Causes of Tired After Eating (No.6-8 Deadly), Pass quality checked by advisor, read our quality control guidelance for more info, 10 Health Benefits of Turmeric for Diabetes (No. The tiredness because over-stressed can cause an “energy draining”, which will make you become more tired than before. For example, iron deficiency, which is very common in young females, particular those not eating meat," O'Hanlon said. read up. In some people, excessive insulin production takes place, causing a protein building block called tryptophan to proceed towards the brain. A healthy meal should leave you feeling energized and ready to accomplish your daily activities. You get tired after eating carbs because they tend to shoot your glucose levels up. I'm not even sure I can get out of bed. A food diary, even if you only keep one for a few weeks, should include a record of everything you eat and drink. Most people with diverticula do not get any symptoms and only know they have them after having a scan for another reason. Hormones such as cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon, and amylin are released to increase a feeling of fullness (satiety), blood sugar rises, and insulin is produced to allow this sugar to go from the blood and into the cells, where it’s used for energy. Try to incorporate more nuts, seeds, and olive oil into your meals. If you're tired, you may nap during the day, which can make it more difficult to get a good night's sleep. Here is how…. "I don't know what's wrong with me," Liang said. In this video interview below, Dr. Artour Rakhimov explains causes and treatment for being sleepy after eating. If you eat large portions of unhealthy food, you will be more likely to feel tired afterwards. When there are no symptoms, it is called diverticulosis. That causes your pancreas to produce insulin which in turn affects chemicals in the body that regulate sleep and wakefulness. This is because thereâs a rhythm to wakefulness â the so-called 12-hour harmonic in the circadian system â and at around 1 to 3 PM, you naturally feel more tired. Those neurons produce a protein, orexin, which moderates wakefulness in the brain. For everyone of you who feel so tired after having some meals, and then follows up by many symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, or any allergic reactions, you should avoid the same food next time you have some meals as you could be allergic and have intolerance to certain ingredients in that food. Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS. Instead, eat a healthy meal that has fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. "If you're feeling tired it could be also due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Post-Thanksgiving dinner sleepiness is more likely related to other factors, such as the volume of food or the quantity of alcohol or simple carbohydrates consumed. In particular, some believe that there is a significant shift in blood flow from the brain to the stomach or gastrointestinal tract to aid in digestion. In fact, you should also eat healthy energy-boosting snacks between meals, especially when you start to feel sluggish. First of all you need to evaluate your eating habits, either you frequently like to eat food on a higher portion or in a lower portion. This is a relatively rare inherited condition that affects men and women between the ages of 30 and 60. We use the Latin-derived term â. More specifically, researchers found, a group of brain cells called orexin neurons that are found in the hypothalmus are very sensitive to glucose levels, which spike after a big meal. Body temperature naturally varies slightly after eating or drinking, depending on the type and temperature of food.