Contents:
- Medical Video: 6 Things You Should Never Do After Eating
- Why do you feel sleepy after eating?
- What can be done to prevent sleepiness after eating?
- 1. Move after you eat
- 2. Choose your food wisely
- 3. Don't eat too much
- 4. Drink enough water
Medical Video: 6 Things You Should Never Do After Eating
Sleepiness after eating is a "disease" for almost everyone, especially during the day. This might bother you when you have to work. Various methods are used to fight drowsiness, drink coffee for example. However, is there another way that can be done besides that? What causes us to be sleepy after eating?
Why do you feel sleepy after eating?
Sleepiness after eating is a normal thing that happens to everyone. This is the body's response to the biochemical changes that occur in the body after eating. There are a number of reasons why you feel sleepy after eating.
Some of them are due to the production of the hormone serotonin and melatonin which can cause drowsiness. Serotonin hormone production can increase when you eat foods that contain protein and carbohydrates. Meanwhile, melatonin can be obtained from several foods such as cherries, bananas, and oats. When digesting food, the body can also increase the production of the hormone serotonin and melatonin.
Another reason why you are sleepy after eating is because you lack sleep or you don't do anything after sleeping. Some reasons related to your health condition can also be a cause of sleepiness after eating, such as diabetes, anemia, celiac disease, and food intolerance.
What can be done to prevent sleepiness after eating?
Actually, there are many things you can do besides drinking coffee to get rid of your sleepiness. Coffee does contain caffeine which can block the work of hormones in the brain which cause sleepiness. But, coffee is not the only thing that can make you sleepy.
Some things you can do to avoid drowsiness after eating are:
1. Move after you eat
Do things you can do that keep you active. If you just sit around after eating, chances are you feel sleepy after eating will be bigger. Activity can increase your blood flow, so oxygen and nutrients can flow well to all body cells and you become more energized. Walk at least 15 minutes after eating or climbing stairs compared elevator might be able to help.
2. Choose your food wisely
At lunch, you should choose foods that contain complex carbohydrates, proteins, and enough iron. Carbohydrates contain glucose which can provide energy for the body to perform its functions. Iron is also needed to produce red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body to improve the body.
It's best to avoid eating foods with high fat and sugar content, such as fast food. These foods can add a lot of calories to the body but lack nutrients. High sugar can also give a surge in your blood sugar levels but can disappear quickly, causing drowsiness and fatigue.
At dinner, you should choose foods that contain simple carbohydrates and protein. The combination of these two nutrients can make you sleepy, so you can sleep more quickly and soundly. In the morning, you should choose foods that are easier to digest and can provide enough initial energy to start your activities.
3. Don't eat too much
Do not overdo your meal portion. Excessive eating can make you very full and sleepy. Why causes sleepiness? Because to digest all the food, the body also needs more energy. This certainly can make your body feel tired and sleepy.
4. Drink enough water
Make sure you drink enough water when eating. Water can hydrate your body, so you avoid fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and sleepiness. Remember, all the organs in your body need water to function.
