Table of contents:
- Why feel sleepy after eating?
- How to avoid sleepiness after eating?
- 1. Move after you eat
- 2. Choose your food wisely
- 3. Don't eat too much
- 4. Drink enough water
Almost everyone experiences drowsiness after eating, especially during the day. This might bother you when you have to work. Various ways are done to fight this drowsiness, for example drinking coffee. What are the ways to fight drowsiness after eating? What makes us want to sleep after eating?
Why feel sleepy after eating?
Yawning and drowsiness after eating are common experiences of many people. This is the body's response to the biochemical changes that occur after eating.
One of the causes is the production of the hormones serotonin and melatonin which can cause drowsiness. The production of the hormone serotonin can increase when you eat foods that contain protein and carbohydrates. Meanwhile, melatonin can be obtained from several foods such as cherries, bananas, and oats. When digesting food, the body can also increase the production of the hormones serotonin and melatonin.
Another reason is because you don't get enough sleep or you don't do anything after eating. Several reasons related to your health condition can also be a cause of drowsiness after eating, such as diabetes, anemia, celiac disease, and food intolerance.
How to avoid sleepiness after eating?
In fact, there are many things you can do besides drinking coffee to get rid of your drowsiness. Coffee does contain caffeine which can block hormones in the brain that cause drowsiness. However, coffee isn't the only thing that can keep you from getting sleepy.
Some things you can do to avoid drowsiness after eating are:
1. Move after you eat
Do what you can do that keeps you moving. If you just sit around after eating, you are more likely to feel sleepy after eating. Doing activities can increase your blood flow, so that oxygen and nutrients can be circulated properly to all body cells and you will be more energized. Walking at least 15 minutes after eating or climbing stairs in comparison elevator may help prevent drowsiness.
2. Choose your food wisely
At lunch, you should choose foods that contain complex carbohydrates, protein, and enough iron. Carbohydrates contain glucose which can provide energy for the body to perform its functions. Iron is also needed to produce red blood cells which carry oxygen throughout the body to boost the body.
Avoid eating foods with high fat and sugar content, such as fast food. These foods can add a lot of calories to the body but lack nutrients. High sugar can also give your blood sugar a spike but it can dissipate quickly, causing drowsiness and fatigue.
At dinner, you should choose foods that contain simple carbohydrates and protein. The combination of these two nutrients can make you sleepy, so you can sleep more quickly and soundly. In the morning, you should choose foods that are easier to digest and can provide enough initial energy to start your activities.
3. Don't eat too much
Take care of your eating portions do not overdo it. Overeating can make you both very full and sleepy. Why cause drowsiness? Because to digest all that food, the body also needs more energy. This of course can make your body feel tired and sleepy.
4. Drink enough water
Make sure you drink enough water with your meals. Water can hydrate your body, so you avoid fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and drowsiness. Remember, all the organs in your body need water to perform their functions.
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