Why sleepiness after eating

Why ZOE? Why do I get so tired after eating? In this post, we take a closer look at: The science behind post-meal tiredness Why you might feel so tired after eating What you can eat to feel energized throughout the day Why do I feel so sleepy after eating? Insulin and glucagon help our bodies keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range. If they aren't functioning right, your blood sugar levels can get thrown out of whack and you might end up on the blood sugar rollercoaster.

Cholecystokinin CCK is a hormone that stimulates the digestion of fat and is released when we eat high-fat meals. Scientists suspect that this hormone can contribute to post-meal sleepiness , explaining why we can feel sleepy even after a lower-carb, higher-fat meal. Serotonin — This is the infamous happy hormone! Your body uses the amino acid tryptophan one of the building blocks of protein to produce serotonin , which can make you feel sleepy.

According to the National Academy of Sciences , the recommended dietary allowance RDA of tryptophan per day for an adult is 5 milligrams mg per 1 kilogram kg of body weight.

For an adult weighing pounds 68 kg , that translates to about mg or 0. Cherries affect melatonin levels, carbohydrates cause a spike and subsequent fall in blood sugar, and the minerals in bananas relax your muscles. Any one of these factors could leave you sleepy and many foods can impact energy levels in different ways. Beyond helping you sleep better at night, exercise can keep you alert during the day, minimizing the risk of a post-meal slump.

Multiple studies have found that regular exercise helps increase energy and reduce fatigue. Instead, being active helps ensure that you have the energy to push through your days. On rare occasions, being tired after a meal or simply sleepy all the time could be a sign of another health problem. Conditions that can make post-meal drowsiness worse include:. If someone with prediabetes or Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes feels tired after eating, it could be a symptom of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.

Hyperglycemia high blood sugar may occur when too many sugars are consumed. Other symptoms associated with hyperglycemia may include increased urination and thirst. Hypoglycemia low blood sugar may occur due to consuming simple carbohydrates that are quickly digestible. These carbohydrates can make blood sugar levels spike and then crash in a short amount of time.

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.

Sleepiness can be one primary symptom of hypoglycemia, along with:. Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are serious medical conditions, especially for people with diabetes. They should be treated immediately as directed by your doctor. An intolerance of or an allergy to certain foods can be another cause of post-meal tiredness.

Food intolerances and allergies can impact digestion or other bodily functions. Other acute or chronic symptoms may also be present, including gastrointestinal upset, skin conditions, and headache or migraine. 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.

Learn more about what these tests offer and how to interpret the results. Allopathic medicine is another term for conventional, or modern Western medicine. Learn more. Why do people feel tired after eating? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Tiredness after eating Prevention When to see a doctor Summary Many people feel sleepy after eating. Share on Pinterest Meals containing both carbohydrates and protein can make a person feel tired.

How to stop feeling tired after eating. Share on Pinterest Getting enough high-quality sleep can help prevent tiredness after eating. When to see a doctor. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.

Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. The body digests all types of foods in the same way. Some foods can trigger more drowsiness than others. Foods that are rich in protein, such as meat, poultry, eggs, fish, spinach, tofu, cheese and soybeans, contain tryptophan amino acid.

This amino acid is used by the body to produce serotonin, which is responsible for drowsiness. Moreover, foods containing carbohydrates also help produce serotonin and tryptophan amino acids found in the brain.

This is the reason why you feel sleepy after eating carbohydrate-rich foods. Food combinations containing tryptophan amino acid protein and carbohydrates make you feel drowsy.

Therefore, a suitable meal before bed would be food containing carbohydrates and protein, such as milk and cereal. Overeating can also cause sleepiness. Post-meal, the body streams more blood to the digestive system to better digest foods in massive amounts. This causes a temporary blood and nutrients shortage in the brain.

Drink lots of water and limit your sugar intake. Bad sleeping patterns can also cause sleepiness post-meal.