Fatigue after eating
What can I do against it?
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Post-meal fatigue is a well-known phenomenon with many causes. You can find out what is behind it and which tips will get you fit here.
Fatigue after eating – an annoying phenomenon
Who does not know that: we have just eaten the delicious food lively, then suddenly we are overcome by a tiredness that literally overwhelms our body. Basically, it is not unusual to get tired at first, as our body and especially our stomach is now busy with digestion, which costs energy. But why is there so often fatigue after eating?
Possible reasons for fatigue after eating
The following causes can exist: if you are constantly tired after eating:
- Blood: Our bodies take blood to digest food and send it to the stomach, where it is needed to carry nutrients. As a result, the amount of blood in some areas is lower than usual, so that there is also less oxygen for the brain. As a result, we perceive tiredness after a meal.
- Serotonin: The body converts the amino acid tryptophan into the happiness hormone serotonin in the brain. This puts us in a good mood and makes us less sensitive to pain. At the same time, however, the messenger substance in the brain also causes a certain drowsiness and we tend to get tired. You can find out which foods you can use to increase serotonin here.
- Sugar: Those who rely on simple carbohydrates in the form of fast food or sweets are confronted more quickly with the problem of hypoglycaemia. Sugar causes more insulin to be released so that the sugar can be transferred to the cells. After that, however, the blood sugar level drops sharply again, so that some people may even have hypoglycaemia. The consequences are cravings and a lack of energy, which is also noticeable in that one becomes tired.
Trigger diabetes
Speaking of sugar: If you have diabetes, you should pay particular attention to the subject of fatigue after eating. If blood sugar levels go through the roof after a meal, this can be detrimental to health in the long run. However, many diabetics do not measure their blood sugar after a meal – therefore, such short-term high values often go undetected. Diabetics, who often suffer from tiredness after eating, should therefore check their blood sugar levels even more closely.
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Tired after eating: what can I do?
With the following tips you can Preventing tiredness after eating:
- Breakfast: Many people skip breakfast in order to save calories, but as the day progresses they lack energy and cravings set in, so that unhealthy foods are often consumed that also make them exhausted.
- Move: It helps to move after a meal. You don't have to run a marathon right away, but walking a few steps provides you with fresh air and can wake you up again.
- Sleep: The solution can be so easy – if you are tired, you should at least sleep briefly. The power nap after the meal has already helped many to get through the day. However, you shouldn't sleep more than 20 minutes before you can easily return to your normal rhythm.
- Eating healthy: Make sure to eat consciously. Do not entangle the food between the door and the hinge, but rather chew it carefully and drink water regularly. Avoid foods such as dairy products, meat (e.g. pork or chicken), fish or grain products that contain tryptophan and thus make you constantly tired, especially at lunchtime. If you're struggling with post-meal fatigue, you may want to put your big meal in the early evening so you can stay fit at lunchtime and get a good sleep in the evening.
You can find out how you can easily create a healthy eating plan here in our tips. We will also show you how important macronutrients and micronutrients are to your diet. You can find out everything about the clock change here.
If you would like to exchange ideas with others about food and the resulting energy, take a look at our BRIGITTE Community.