No energy? Detect and eliminate the exhausting foods hiding in your diet!
Bad eating habits and some foods can make you feel sluggish, sleepy, and think of a cozy couch where you might enjoy a nap. Feeling a little tired after eating a heavy meal is perfectly normal. However, if you feel like having a nap after most meals, there could be something in your diet that needs to be addressed.
Foods with a high amount of sugar
After eating sweet candy or a chocolate bar, we feel a quick boost of energy because of the high sugar content. This works only in the short term. Our body increases the production of insulin, which causes sleepiness and hunger after a short burst of energy. You should avoid eating foods that are high in sugar such as chocolates, cornflakes, and boiled potatoes.
Food with high fat content
After eating a meal that contains a lot of fat, we can feel drowsy because all of the body’s energy is focused on breaking down the fat. A fatty dinner can digest for 6-8 hours. As a result, our muscles become tired and we can have difficulties concentrating, because the oxygen in our blood is being pumped to the digestive system, where it ‘s most needed. Even the best hamburger with fries is not worth the effort.
Alcohol
Alcohol in small doses has a calming and relaxing effect, but we may also feel that we want to snack. Be careful, and instead of consuming salty or sugary products, you would be better going with some wholegrain bread or fruits. Alcohol functions as a sedative on the central nervous system, so even a small drink at lunchtime may have an effect on your whole afternoon! Alcohol can also adversely affect your sleep patterns, particularly if you drink right before bed. If you drink an alcoholic beverage before bed, your sleep pattern will probably be disturbed. You may even have a hangover and tiredness the following day.
Eating small meals and snacks throughout the day maintains your energy level better than eating one or two large meals. It’s important to maintain a steady sugar level in the blood throughout the day. Meals that are too heavy flood your blood with sugar, giving you a temporary energy lift. Unfortunately, an inevitable crash and a feeling of lethargy also follow this.
Not eating often enough or overeating
Eating small meals and snacks throughout the day maintains your energy level better than eating one or two large meals. It’s important to maintain a steady sugar level in the blood throughout the day. Meals that are too heavy flood your blood with sugar, giving you a temporary energy lift. Unfortunately, an inevitable crash and a feeling of lethargy also follow this.
Not enough drinks
Not having enough fluids can cause dehydration, and fatigue is one of the initial signs. Drink when you’re thirsty, enough to refill what you lose during the day. It’s a good idea to drink extra water if you’ve consumed a caffeinated beverage or alcohol. Water is extremely important to consume before and during the exercises to maintain a high energy level.
Lack of vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals are necessary for staying active all day. The most common nutritional deficiencies in society are iron, magnesium, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, and dietary calcium. Such deficiencies are easy to diagnose through blood tests. As a precaution, you can take supplements.
Fatigue-inducing products
Some foods like milk, corn, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, bananas, dates, and chocolate all contain L-tryptophan that helps you to feel relaxed. Some people can feel tired from this. If you’re prone to fatigue, avoid these foods in the middle of the day.
[…] What you eat is what you are, so eat well. Always buy good quality food that is low in sugars, fats, and salts. Cheap food usually contains more preservatives, makes you look and feel bad in the long term. What’s on your plate can motivate you to stay active all day or keep you tired and unmotivated. Read more: Which Foods Can Give You Energy? and Which Foods Make You Tired? […]