How to Stay Awake After Eating

You obviously cannot skip lunch, but you can surely control the sluggishness that is affecting your productivity. Here are some nutrition suggestions to help you stay active.

What is the cause of this post-lunch drowsiness?
Insulin is produced by our pancreas to keep blood sugar levels in check.
Our bodies create a hormone called melatonin, which is then transformed into serotonin.

Consider the following scenario: You’ve just finished lunch and have an important report to deliver to your boss, but your productivity has plummeted and you’re feeling drowsy.

Isn’t it something we all despise? A large lunch accomplishes exactly that; it makes you drowsy and, of course, slower. What’s the deal with this post-lunch drowsiness? Because our pancreas generates insulin to keep blood sugar levels in check.

As a result, the bigger the meal, the more insulin is produced, resulting in a spike in blood sugar levels. With an increase in insulin, our bodies generate sleep hormone, which is then turned into serotonin and melatonin in the brain, causing us to sleep more soundly.

This causes our bodies to slow down, causing our day’s plans to fall apart.

You obviously cannot skip lunch, but you can surely control the sluggishness that is affecting your productivity. Here are some nutrition suggestions to help you stay active.

It might be inconvenient to feel fatigued after each meal, and it can have a considerable impact on your lifestyle. Here are some suggestions for staying awake after eating.

1. Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water is key to keeping your body working well. When you hydrate your body, your metabolism is boosted and you have less fatigue and hence, you also have more energy.^[1]

2. Eat More Whole Foods and Cut Back on Refined Sugars

One of your goals is to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. To do this, you must consume a sufficient amount of healthy foods while consuming fewer over-processed meals.

Sugar spikes, intense cravings, and energy crashes can all be avoided by eating complete meals.^[2]

3. Eat Enough Food During Each Meal to Keep You Satisfied

Intuitive eating is quite beneficial. It not only keeps you fit, but it also promotes digestion and gives you more energy. ^[3]You should eat till you’re satisfied rather than full.

Eating more food than your body requires in a single sitting will just cause you to overeat and make you lethargic.

4. Avoid Starving or Skipping Meals

Another major issue to avoid is this one. Your body will have more energy throughout the day if you eat at regular times.

Don’t try to hold off on eating since you’ll overeat the following meal and become more exhausted than you need to be.

5. Exercise Regularly

Stay active as much as you can. You don’t have to run a marathon to stay healthy, but engaging at least in some regular basic exercises can already help raise your energy levels.

6. Get Enough Quality Sleep

A good night’s sleep is essential for your body at all times. A good night’s sleep should last at least seven to nine hours. To assist you to build a good sleeping habit, avoid eating late at night before going to bed, switch off distractions (including your cell phone), and block out excessive light.

7. Drink Caffeine in Moderation

If you prefer starting your day with a cup of coffee, go ahead and do so! However, two to three cups of tea every day should be plenty to provide that energy. If you are not careful, more than this can cause issues.

8. Have a Balanced Diet

Eating enough nutrient-rich foods will make your body work more efficiently and boost your energy. Aim at getting protein, healthy fiber, and healthy fats in all of your meals. Make your plate balanced and colorful.

9. Moderate Your Alcohol Intake

When you limit your alcohol intake, you’ll notice a considerable increase in your general energy levels. This is especially true when it comes to eating meals during the day.

Limit yourself to one to two glasses of wine per day. People who drink alcohol with their meals may get more sleepy.

10. Keep a track

It’s critical to keep track of the meals you consume at lunch. If a certain item is making you sleepy or drowsy, it’s best to figure out what it is and stop eating it right away, then switch to foods that will keep your energy levels up.

These easy-to-follow guidelines will ensure that you don’t take any workplace naps.

Final Thoughts

Even though feeling exhausted after eating is common, there are several lifestyle behaviors you may change to help alleviate this problem.

If you’re feeling more exhausted than usual after meals, make sure you’re getting good nutrition, moving about every day, getting enough rest, and seeing your doctor on a regular basis.