Sleepy After Eating

After having a heavy lunch, when we resume our work in office, we tend to feel drowsy. It may intensify so much that we find it difficult to keep our eyes open. At that time, many of us wish we had a small cot next to your desk where we can take a short nap! Sometimes, we even get a sense of guilt in the fear that we may commit some mistake in the work we are doing at that time. Some people think that there must be something wrong with their health. Though, the fact is, it is not unnatural to feel sleepy after eating lunch.

Why do we Feel Sleepy After Eating?

There are several reasons that can make you drowsy after eating. Usually, our lunch consists of heavy foods that make the intestines full. So, most of the blood is directed towards the intestines where the digestion is taking place. As a result, the brain receives much lesser amount of oxygen than it usually gets. This condition gives rise to drowsiness which is also accompanied by a sense of fatigue. During digestion of the food, stomach acids are released to facilitate digestion which in turn alter the pH values of the blood and make it alkaline. This alkalinity of blood can lead to the drowsy feeling.

If you observe carefully, you will find that when you eat foods that are high in carb or sugar like pasta or bakery products, you tend to feel more sleepy. These foods make the sugar levels in the blood higher than normal. Then the pancreas releases large quantity of insulin. This insulin forces a certain protein building block named tryptophan present in the blood into the brain. When the tryptophan reaches the brain, it get converted into neurotransmitter, serotonin which is the same hormones that induces sleep in us. This rise in serotonin levels in the brain contributes towards the sleepiness.

How to Stop Drowsiness After Eating

There are some measures that can be taken in order to prevent the sleepy feeling after lunch. They are as follows:

A few minutes of walk after lunch is the best way to get rid of the drowsiness. This will improve the flow of blood in the body which in turn will limit the blood sugar and insulin at a low level. So you can stay awake and alert and focus properly in your work.

Watch the kind of food that you are eating. Bring about some changes on the foods that makes up your lunch. Avoid potatoes, white rice, pasta, desserts and sweets in lunch. All these food items contains simple carbohydrates which tend to increase the insulin levels at a much faster pace. As a result, the serotonin levels too go higher and you will feel more sleepy. Rather, include more and more lean protein and low carb vegetables.

Eating less amount of food during lunch can be helpful in this regard. Take a high protein diet for the breakfast, a light mid morning snack and lessen the food that you eat in lunch. In this way, you maintain the balance of food requirement of your body without getting starved. At the same time, the sugar level in the blood will remain steady and prevent fluctuation of serotonin the brain.

Stay away from rich caffeine substances. You must be surprised to know this because every time you feel sleepy, you go and grab a mug of coffee to drive away the sleep. However, the fact is that it can make you alert only for a brief period of time. After that, you will start feeling sleepy all over again. Some people also get addicted towards caffeine and they cannot stay alert without having a coffee. You can start taking green tea which has a lower caffeine content and is not addictive.

Feeling extremely sleepy after eating is usually a harmless phenomena. However, if it is accompanied by other symptoms like diarrhea, bloating and gas, then it could be a sign of food allergy or food intolerance. Sometimes, it can be a sign of insulin problem as well. This can be identified with symptoms like dizziness, weakness, headache, etc. In both the conditions, you must check with your doctor.