How do I avoid getting drowsy after lunch?

Question

I get so drowsy that I fall asleep in meetings in the afternoon. I do eat a large lunch but as an active person I am starving by lunchtime.

Answer 1

This is about blood sugar. You'll stop me if you've heard this but you need to eat little and often.

You must eat breakfast, such as whole grain cereal for sustained energy release, with milk that provides protein, (or actually one of those little probiotic drinks works well on cereal.) A mid morning snack will prevent your feeling ravenous by lunchtime; fruit, yoghurt, oatcakes, so that when you take lunch you won't feel you have to eat a huge portion. Your lunch should contain a balance of carbs, (as unrefined as poss, such as wholemeal bread or pasta) , protein like chicken or tuna, and you should keep fats low-ish. Eat some salad and/or fruit, too, and at all times stay well hydrated with plenty of water or fruit or herbal teas.

If you eat a big lunch, your blood sugar will soar; insulin will crash in to manage blood sugar, and pretty soon you feel drowsy. We aren't in the desert. You won't starve if you have smaller portions at lunch - and you can have another snack mid-afternoon. Keep apples and cereal bars, (watch the sugar content!) in your desk drawer or lunch box, and don't make the mistake of reaching for high fat, high sugar snack like biscuits or chocolate.

Answer 2

Avoid the carbs and eat lots of fruit, salad and protein. Try not to eat a big lunch, but have some healthy snacks to pick at during the day so you aren't eating a large amount all at once.

Answer 3

Have a 5-10 mins walking after lunch if you can.

Answer 4

Eat 4-5, even 6 times a day, smaller quantities, high-energy foods.

A big lunch high in carbs should be avoided if you have to be alert in the pm.

Most people experienc the 3pm slump, and this is usually the reason.

Avoid fast-food 'value-meals' b/c they are too high in fat and carbs, and you will be comatose 2 hours later, your body's energy zapped form digesting the complex carbs.

As a last resort, chug an ice-coffee when your in a slump.

Answer 5

Eat less carbohydrates like bread, pasta, rice or potatoes and more protein, like fish, chicken or limited amounts of red meat.

If you eat a carb-heavy lunch you will feel the slump around mid-afternoon because they are quickly converted to sugar in your blood stream which gives you an insulin rush.

Also, avoid sugary drinks like sodas.

Answer 6

Try eating food with a lower GI index. Also, eat less. Have you tried making sure you eat a decent breakfast with plenty of slow release carbs like oats? Maybe then you won't be so starving at lunch. Maybe also eat a piece of fruit mid morning?

Answer 7

How do I avoid getting drowsy after lunch?

Answer 8

Eat healthy er foods and you will feel better after lunch. Eat more Fruits.

Answer 9

Ur eating to much, try eating something that crunches hunger but is not too filling as to make u feel tired, Eat a salad or fruit along with ur meal but dont fill ur stomach up too much. Drink a shake, It works for me. Eat less with a shake!!

Answer 10

You can still eat a large lunch but try not to ingest so many carbohydrates. Eat a big salad and fruit with small orders of pasta and a sandwich or something. I'm Hypoglycemic and I have to eat 7 - 9 times a day and used to have the same problem this worked for me.

Answer 11

Drink a glass (300 ml of water just before starting your lunch). Have fruits and complex carbohydrates as part of your lunch and avoid eating too much fat and meats. You should feel less drowsy.